On-Line Vision as
an Integrated Part of
Factory Floor Information
Management at Dairy Crest
M
achine Vision has come a
long way during the last
couple of decades and
its use within food and
drink manufacturing industries is now
becoming commonplace.
One such application which went
especially well for the Harford team,
because it was the only valid option to
solve a complex set of problems, was
the installation of vision on the spread
packing lines at Dairy Crest in Kirkby,
Liverpool.
The following account from Mark
Lanfear, Technical Manager at Dairy
Crest, Kirkby, highlights some of the
benefits of sustaining the highest
quality standards through machine
vision and integrated information
management.
Case Study: Harford’s Integrated
Vision System Helps Dairy Crest
Sustain the Highest Standards
“Our Harford Control vision system
offers us Quality Assurance on
packaging and allows operators to
focus on other areas of production
knowing it is under control.
As suppliers to multiple supermarkets
it is not unusual for us to have several
promotions in process at various times,
for many different outlets, which are
often running competing promotions.
Because of this we often run similar
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packaging from stores through
production for different supermarkets.
Any mistakes in this could damage our
customer relationships and even cost
us future sales.
We also have strict legal requirements
on packaging which were amended in
2015 due to FIR Regs. This was pushed
through our production comfortably
and safely, knowing we had a vision
system to ensure we could phase
out the old packaging appropriately,
minimising waste and downtime
by using the vision system to drive
change and minimise exposure to risk.
However, our Harford vision system
doesn’t just ensure legal and
commercial parameters are met,
but forms an integrated pa rt of our
factory floor information management
system which, in addition to the
security provided by its on-line vision
modules, also sets up our date coders,
minimises paper recording, analyses
line performance such as OEE and
materials utilisation whilst maintaining
compliance with Average Quantity Law.
We rely on the vision system
heavily for our packed product
quality. Introducing a lid to tub has
complications with fit, packaging
quality, date print and clean packaging
(no spread on tubs). Our Harford
Vision System allows us to pick up on
Our Harford Control vision
system offers us Quality
Assurance on packaging
and allows operators to
focus on other areas of
production knowing it is
under control.
these defects, clear the line, check for
future faults, archive the images for
Team Leaders to view, be satisfied with
how any issues have been handled on
the line and also helps to determine
root cause to facilitate continuous
improvement. All this shows our due
diligence in supporting our customers’
We rely on the vision
system heavily for
our packed product
quality.
needs and helps ensure we meet these
high quality demands, for Leading
Brands, every time.
We also use the system as a training
aid, printing off some failed images to
check that operators know what to look
for when they are running the line and
also the appropriate corrective actions
to take in all circumstances, thereby
highlighting our overriding commitment
to quality, whilst continuously
improving our operators’ knowledge
surrounding our high standards.”
For further information contact Harford
Control on +44(0)1225 764461 or
[email protected]