Best Before Date (BBD) codes printed on food packaging represent critical information for consumer safety and regulatory compliance. These expiration dates must be accurately read and verified throughout the supply chain to prevent expired products from reaching consumers.
Food manufacturers face significant challenges in automated date reading due to varying print quality, different packaging materials, and high-speed production lines. Ink jet printers can produce inconsistent character quality, while packaging materials like flexible films or curved surfaces create additional reading difficulties.
Advanced OCR for Date Verification
Modern vision systems overcome these challenges through sophisticated OCR algorithms that adapt to different font styles, sizes, and print qualities. The EyeVision software can read dates printed on various surfaces, from flat labels to curved containers, regardless of text orientation or position.
The system identifies date patterns using configurable templates that recognize common date formats (DD.MM.YYYY, MM/DD/YY, etc.). When integrated with production control systems, it can automatically reject packages with missing, illegible, or expired dates before they enter the packaging stream.
Quality Control Integration
Beyond simple date reading, these systems verify that printed dates match production schedules and meet regulatory requirements. For example, dairy products might require specific shelf life calculations based on production date, while pharmaceutical products need precise expiration tracking for safety compliance.
The technology enables automated sorting based on expiration dates, helping manufacturers manage inventory rotation and reduce waste. Distribution centers can use similar systems to verify incoming products and organize storage by expiration timeline.
Implementation typically involves integrating vision systems with existing packaging lines, where cameras capture images of date codes during normal production flow.
The drag-and-drop programming interface allows quick setup of inspection parameters without disrupting production schedules.
The powerful communication features allow an easy intergration into the overlaying Logistic system.
