Cognex vision tool detects faulty labels

Ripped or wrinkled bar-code labels can slow the flow of packages down a conveyor line, so Cognex Corp. has introduced the Cognex Explorer Real Time Monitoring (RTM) system.

Vision scanning systems are faster and more accurate than lasers at recognizing labels that are peeling off, folded over a corner, or otherwise faulty, said Tim Badgett, a logistics sales engineer and auto ID specialist for Cognex. By detecting potential label errors before the item gets kicked off the conveyor to a reject lane, users can save time and money, he said.

The RTM system automatically categorizes defective labels into groups such as "no label present," "poorly printed label," or "creased label" and stores those images in a database where managers can view them through a Web browser and pinpoint problem areas in a warehouse.