Automated Inspection of Wire Hoods: Quality and Safety for the Wine Industry

In the wine industry, every detail matters, and the wire hood—the characteristic wire hood or muselet that secures the cork in bottles of sparkling wine and champagne—is no exception. Beyond its primary function of ensuring bottle safety, the wire hood is also a distinctive element that contributes to brand identity through the customization of the wire and cap. However, to guarantee reliability and quality, a rigorous inspection process during production is essential.

HOW IS A WIRE HOOD MADE?

A wire hood consists of three main components, assembled into a single piece:

• Lower ring (ceinture) – Made of soft galvanized iron wire, sometimes lacquered.
• Body or hood – Composed of four separate wires (legs) and an upper section of soft galvanized iron wire, also sometimes lacquered.
• Circular metal cap (plaque) – Made of electrolytic tinplate, painted, and either lithographed or embossed.

Beyond ensuring the bottle’s security, the wire hood must meet strict aesthetic and structural standards to prevent defects that could compromise the consumer experience and brand reputation.

THE IMPORTANCE OF AUTOMATED INSPECTION

To ensure that each wire hood meets quality standards, modern production lines implement an automated vision system, an advancement over traditional smart cameras integrated into machinery. This system consists of a Genius® Litehouse and software directing precise lighting and camera vision, enabling detailed analysis of the wire hood’s structure and the inside of the metal cap to detect defects and ensure the rejection of non-compliant pieces.

COMMON DEFECTS AND HOW THEY ARE DETECTED

With advanced vision technology, the system precisely identifies the main defects that could affect the wire hood’s functionality and appearance:

• Dimensional defects – The system detects any out-of-tolerance variations in thickness, diameter, and height, as well as deformations caused by bending or stamping errors.
• Surface damage – Automated visual inspection identifies scratches, marks, or early signs of corrosion on the inner cap.
• Breaks or cracks – Microfractures caused by mechanical stress or heat treatment errors are quickly detected, for prevent broken connection on the wire hood and problems during application on the filled and capped container.
• Burrs – Any unwanted protrusions from cutting or stamping are identified and flagged.
• Incorrect elasticity or rigidity – The system verifies that the material has the correct elasticity, preventing issues when fitting the wire hood onto the cork and bottle.

BENEFITS FOR PRODUCERS AND BRANDS

Implementing a vision inspection system offers several advantages for manufacturers:

Elimination of production waste through the immediate identification of non-compliant pieces.
Improved production efficiency with continuous and automated quality control.
Minimization of consumer complaints by preventing aesthetic and structural defects that could harm brand perception.
Consistently high-quality standards, ensuring product conformity and reliability.

Thanks to this innovative technology, the wine industry can rely on a more accurate and efficient quality control process, enhancing bottle safety and consumer satisfaction.

Would you like to learn more about optimizing quality control in your production process? Contact us for more information!