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16.01.2025

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Groundbreaking scanner technology: Schubert continues to expand its vision portfolio

Gerhard Schubert GmbH looks back on four decades of technological innovations in the field of image processing.The trailblazing work, which has had a significant impact on the packaging industry, began in the mid-1980s with a visionary collaboration with the Karlsruhe Nuclear Research Centre. Four decades after developing its first system, the company now has a wide-ranging portfolio that Schubert continues to expand. In the future, 2D and 3D scanners will be joined by an even more compact solution that combines both technologies.

Schubert’s image processing technology is an integral part of its efficient quality assurance system. It is based on versatile scanners which Schubert has continuously optimised over the past 40 years and integrated into some 1,000 packaging machines worldwide. “Schubert scanners are now standard equipment on pick & place packaging lines,” explains Daniel Greb, Head of Image Processing at Schubert. “Our solutions make a decisive contribution to product quality and safety in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and animal feed industries.”

2D incident light scanners check the shape and orientation of the chocolate pralines in the packaging line

2D incident light scanners check the shape and orientation of the chocolate pralines in the packaging line

Breaking new ground

While 2D incident light scanners enable efficient colour and surface inspection, 3D scanners also check height, for example in the case of stacked products. The camera-based inspection aids detect the shape, dimensions and other parameters of different products in the packaging line.

The company has now added a more compact solution to the two established variants. The new tracking scanner integrates the functions of 2D and 3D scanners – acting as a multifunctional tool for product recognition.

The main focus is still on detecting the product position and quality – with one significant difference. “Instead of manufacturing scanners of different sizes as we have done in the past, we are working on a 600-millimetre-wide standard module,” explains Greb. Maintenance and cleaning are also much easier. “As a result, we are on track to significantly expand our lead in the field of image processing.”

Dr Abdelmalek Nasraoui (back) and Dr Josef Pecht initiated the development of image processing at Schubert in 1984

Dr Abdelmalek Nasraoui (back) and Dr Josef Pecht initiated the development of image processing at Schubert in 1984

A game-changing partnership

Schubert’s global success in the field of image processing dates back to an idea conceived by two visionary scientists, who Schubert brought to Crailsheim from Karlsruhe in the mid-1980s. With Dr Abdelmalek Nasraoui and Dr Josef Pecht, Gerhard Schubert GmbH gained two experts who played a major role in establishing modern image processing and went on to further develop it at Schubert. What began with the Pattern Considering System (Pacos) developed into ever faster and more precise solutions. When packaging small parts, Pacos recognised randomly located objects on the product conveyor – ideal for pick & place applications which Schubert has perfected over the decades.

At the end of the 1980s, line sensors ushered in a decisive change. Unlike cameras, they are less susceptible to optical effects and are able to capture the entire product flow. Schubert then integrated them into the first scanner, of which the company developed several variants – culminating in the well-known solutions that are in use worldwide today.

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