The R&S Imager uses millimeter-wave imaging to inspect the quality of packaged goods in real time, implementing innovative imaging technology to penetrate materials with invisible millimeter waves, analyze the return signals using a sensor array and convert them into razor-sharp images that reveal any hidden structures or material defects. The system sees through common packaging materials at production speed without using X-rays, protecting both products and operators. The high-contrast 3D images are used as digital twins and can be automatically integrated into AI-powered fault detection systems.
Source: Rohde & Schwarz
The non-ionizing radiation of the R&S Imager does not affect the efficacy of pharmaceutical substances in any way. Thus, the new system fills a long-standing gap in the camera-based or weight-based inspection of pharmaceutical packaging. Multi-layer secondary packaging, cardboard boxes and laminated seals are transparent to millimeter waves, allowing the sensor to detect syringes, needles and autoinjectors inside. The system generates a three-dimensional representation of each package at production speed, which ensures all components and their correct assembly can be fully inspected. By using artificial intelligence to evaluate the volumetric images, production lines can automatically detect missing or misaligned parts without affecting throughput. The applied millimeter waves eliminate any risk of radiation-related damage to sterile products, help ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and reduce costly recalls.
The penetration capabilities of the R&S Imager also offer logistics advantages. Weight scales and conventional surface inspections cannot confirm that the correct, high-quality product is inside sealed packaging, and X-ray methods raise both safety and regulatory concerns. The R&S Imagerprojects millimeter waves through plastics, cardboard and composite materials, producing an internal view that reveals missing parts, misplaced objects or damage. When integrated into a conveyor belt system, the system provides a continuous stream of images that are analyzed by AI algorithms to inspect the contents and detect anomalies in real time. This reduces the need for manual checks, improves inventory accuracy and ensures complete documentation of the entire supply chain for each shipment. The technology also promotes the use of more environmentally friendly packaging – even when manufacturers use more sustainable, but potentially opaque, materials, contents can still be monitored reliably. — Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG, Munich, Germany