Very common packaging across different manufacturing areas are zip lock plastic bags. The quality of the plastic zip lock is highly important as for food packaging as well as for screws storing. Solartron Metrology offers standard DP range of Digital Spring Push Probes as a solution to control the plastic bag zip lock quality during manufacturing.

The position and measurements of a zipper on a plastic bag needs to be taken in-process as the material is dispensed from a roll and prior to the cutting and heat-sealing progress. The range of Solartron standard DP proves ensures very high resolution, excellent linearity and high data speed, long life precision bearings, and an IP65 rating ensure that probes maintain their performance of millions of cycles. Digital probes with a SI7500 readout connected to a PLC allow to identify and resolve issue on the line before large quantity of products were produced, reducing waste and down-time.

The Product:

The standard DP range of Digital Spring Push Probes has justifiably become the work horse of the gauging industry. Very high resolution, excellent linearity and high data speed come as standard. Long life precision bearings, and an IP65 rating ensure that probes maintain their performance for millions of cycles.

The Challenge:

The position and measurements of a zipper on a plastic bag needs to be taken in-process as the material is dispensed from a roll and prior to the cutting and heat sealing progress. Measurements needed are height of the zipper whilst zipped, and the gripped. A readout is also required at the gauging location to assist in machine set-up and to monitor product quality.

The Solution:

6 machines were designed and created, each using 8-10 Digital Probes with a SI7500 readout. Connection was made to a PLC, which could then automatically shut down the production line if the products were out of spec. This in-process gauging application allowed for issues to be identified and resolved before a large quantity of products were produced, reducing waste and down-time.

The Solartron Orbit® Digital Measurement System, provides a limitless set of measuring system solutions, with numerous different interfaces to computers and PLC’s.