Packaging and Label Inspection

• Packaging Manager
• Head of Quality Assurance
• Plant Engineering Manager
• Artwork and Labelling Lead

Labelling and packaging errors are a common reason for product recalls. Every carton, label and foil carries variable data printed on the line, such as batch number, manufacturing and expiry dates, MRP and often a QR code or barcode, and operators check samples by eye. Artwork changes add a second risk upstream.

We build vision inspection for carton, label and foil lines. Cameras capture each unit; the system reads the overprinted batch, dates and MRP, checks them against the batch details set at line clearance, decodes and grades the QR code or barcode, and compares the printed layout with the approved artwork. A separate proofing tool compares a new artwork PDF with the previous approved version and highlights every text, colour and layout change for the labelling team. Units that fail trigger the line's reject mechanism, and each rejection is stored with its image and reason.

• Reads batch number, manufacturing and expiry dates and MRP on cartons, labels and blister foils
• Verifies printed data against the batch details set at line clearance
• Decodes and grades QR codes, Data Matrix and linear barcodes, and checks their content
• Compares each printed unit with the approved artwork to catch wrong or mixed components
• Proofs new artwork PDFs against the previous approved version and lists every change
• Stores an image and reason for every rejected unit, linked to the batch

1. 01Set up the batchAt line clearance the operator scans the batch order, and the station loads expected batch data and the approved artwork reference.
2. 02Capture each unitCameras triggered by the line sensor capture every carton, label or foil at line speed.
3. 03Read and verifyVariable data is read, codes are decoded and graded, and the layout is compared with the reference.
4. 04Accept or rejectUnits that fail any check are rejected by the line mechanism; uncertain reads are rejected too and counted separately.
5. 05Operator and QA reviewThe operator reviews reject images, and repeated failures stop the line for QA investigation.
6. 06Batch inspection reportAt batch end, counts, reject reasons and sample images are compiled for the batch packaging record.

1. Line hardware
   • Industrial cameras and lighting
   • Line sensor trigger and reject mechanism
   • Edge PC at the line
2. Batch context
   • Batch order from ERP or MES
   • Approved artwork library
3. Vision models
   • Variable data reading and verification
   • Code decoder and grader
   • Artwork comparison model
4. Review and records
   • Operator reject review screen
   • Batch inspection report
   • Image archive with audit trail

Operators review rejected units, and QA investigates repeated failures before the line restarts. The labelling team approves every artwork change the proofing tool highlights, and QA approves any change to inspection recipes.

• ERP or MES for batch orders
• Artwork management system
• Line PLC for triggers and rejects
• Serialisation or track-and-trace system where in use
• QMS for deviations raised from inspection failures

• Uncertain reads treated as rejects, never as passes
• Challenge test with known defective samples at batch start and end
• Inspection recipes locked and changed only through change control
• Every reject image retained with batch and timestamp
• Line stop after repeated consecutive rejects for investigation

• Supports labelling controls under GMP, including India's revised Schedule M, and the QR code or barcode requirements in Indian labelling rules for APIs and specified brands.
• Inspection software and recipes are validated as a GMP computerised system, with audit trails aligned to 21 CFR Part 11 and EU GMP Annex 11.

• Pharma & Life Sciences

  Tablet and Vial Visual Defect Detection

  Vision models that flag chipped, cracked, spotted or broken tablets and cap, crimp, glass or particle defects in vials, sending uncertain units to manual inspection and storing every reject image.

• Pharma & Life Sciences

  Batch Manufacturing Record Review

  Pre-review of executed batch manufacturing and packaging records that flags blank fields, out-of-limit values, signature gaps and unlinked deviations, with page references, before QA starts.

• Pharma & Life Sciences

  Certificate of Analysis Extraction and Spec Matching

  Read supplier and in-house certificates of analysis, extract every test result and compare it with your approved specification, so QC sees out-of-limit, missing and mismatched lines at a glance.

• Manufacturing

  Visual Quality Inspection on Production Lines

  Cameras and vision models at the inspection station flag scratches, dents, missing features and print errors, divert clear rejects and hold borderline parts for an inspector.