For the inspection of tablets, coated tablets, capsules and soft gelatine capsules in blisters scanware offers a wide range of camera-based vision inspection systems in color and B&W with the hardware equipment and application software that meet the specific application requirements.

Fig.1: 3D-image of a sealed blister

This truly innovative high-end 3D geometry inspection system for 100% online inspection of pharmaceutical products in blisters or other packaging types with high detection capability for highly demanding applications

How does the system operate?

• The material is illuminated with a laser which results in an image of the material's geometry.
• This image, acquired by a high-resolution greyscale camera, is processed and digitised.
• The digital signals are processed and evaluated.
• In the course of the evaluation, the vision system checks if the packaging material is without distortions, dents or other defects of the geometry.

Which are the benefits of the system?

Due to the recognition of the geometry as well as of the volume of the product, this process offers clear advantages compared with colour detection tests. It turns out to be particular helpful for low-contrast testing tasks such as:

• recognising grey products in aluminium foil
• recognising deformations and fragments

The elevation measuring system makes even the detection of tablet capping and upright capsules possible.

Which equipment and subsequent upgrade possibilities offers the system?

LYNX-SPECTRA 3D can be combined with any vision system of the latest generation an operated via a single touch screen interface. This simplifies the use and saves space.
In addition, the system can be equipped in the majority of cases with hard- and software options.


This advance technology is unique in the world und will be actually provided only by scanware.

Design and technology:

• QNX real-time operating system [more...]
• Optional PLC available
• Network compatible – data exchange is operated conveniently via a network
• Easy to install on any machine type
• Upgradeable to combined inspections and to integration of other inspection applications and vision sensors

Fig.2: 3D-image with greyscale view

Fig.3: 3D-colour view

• Short teach-in times
• User-friendly extremely easy operation via a graphical user interface and touch screen in the language of the operator
• Automated teach-in
• High colour resolution of 16 million colours
• Inspects up to 224,000 products per minute

• Tablets, coated tablets, capsules and soft gelatine capsules
• unicoloured, two-coloured or speckled
• any shape, size and colour
• all types of transparent and opaque plastic and aluminium bottom foils
• all types of blister geometries and layouts

High image and colour resolutions ensure that even slightest differences in colour, shape, perimeter and area are reliably detected at full production speeds even on high-speed blister lines in order to prevent mix-up and maintain lot integrity. Inspection covers the following criteria: Presence, colour, size, shape, perimeter, fragments, overfilling, surface defects, empty pockets, empty blisters, correct product location in multiphase blisters, products outside pockets, and foreign objects (particles).

• Short teach-in times
• User-friendly extremely easy operation via a graphical user interface and touch screen in the language of the operator
• Automated teach-in
• High image resolution at 256 greyscales
• Processes up to 1200 images per minute

• Tablets, coated tablets, capsules and soft gelatine capsules
• any shape, size and colour
• all types of transparent and opaque plastic and aluminium bottom foils
• all types of blister geometries and layouts

The products are inspected for presence, size, shape and perimeter. Empty pockets, products outside pockets, broken products, fragments and overfilling are reliably detected.

When using top light illumination it is possible to detect also visible surface defects when there is sufficient contrast between the greyscales.

This high-end greyscale vision system is the ideal solution for all applications where colour inspection is not absolutely required, as it can easily be upgraded to colour applications when required. So it is an excellent entry to the scanware vision system technology and remains open to changing application needs future applications.