Vac-Trac II - Vacuum Pressure Inspection

100% Accuracy at 2,000 cpm
PECO's evolutionary Vac-Trac has a twenty-year history of trouble-free operation in hostile canning and filling environments around the world. PECO's original Vac-Trac was the first vacuum/pressure sensor or "dud" detector to offer trouble free, non-contact sensing.

Today's Vac-Tracs deliver 100% accuracy, on virtually any container under pressure or vacuum at line speeds of 2,000 containers per minute. And, because there is no contact with the container being measured, there are no parts to wear out or replace and only a minimum of required maintenance.

Easy to Set-up and Easy to Use - for Even the First Time User
PECO's Vac-Trac has evolved over time, and each generation has offered enhanced performance and significant advances over competitors' attempts at "dud" detection. This latest generation, employs a "user-friendly" program that incorporates a selection of graphic screens and menus that allow even neophyte operators to set-up new products almost as easily as recalling an old product.

Set-up is an easy, step-by-step process with "on-line" help available. The Vac-Trac II can automatically set inspection timing and calibrate the optimum trip point for up to 40 products, which can then be recalled by name. In automatic mode, the Vac-Trac II "tracks" changes in lid deflection - and automatically makes threshold adjustments for environmental changes that do not affect container integrity.

On Board Diagnostics
The Vac-Trac II's on-board diagnostics readily detect causes of system failure including; missing or multiple triggers, un-calibrated or faulty sensors, and inefficient encoder operation.

Monitor Any Metal or Combination Metal Closure Under Pressure or Vacuum

Four Quick Disconnect Sensors cover the entire range of vacuum or pressure packed containers making for fast changeovers.

C5278-18 for lid sizes of less than 2 inches (50mm).
C5278-25 for lid sizes ranging from 2 inches (50mm) to 4 1/2 inches (115mm), or where lid deflection on a can is less than 3/8 inch (10mm) from chime to lid center.
C5278-36 for lid sizes of 4 1/2 inches (115mm) and larger or where the lid deflection and container clearance is greater than 3/8 inch (10mm)
C5278-42 for deep profile containers such as No. 10 coffee cans where the total sensing distance is more than 5/8 inch (16mm).

Countless Inspection Options
A choice of linear, single point or multiple and differential or proportional algorithms allow an almost limitless selection of precise, standard inspection formulas for a wide variety of closures and containers.

* These products were chosen for the aesthetics of their labels to represent the many kinds of containers that Vac-Trac II might monitor. Each trademark and label is the property of the manufacturer or distributor on the label and no endorsement of INSPX products is intended or implied.

How Automatic Calibration Works
Samples of known "good" containers are measured and a statistical mean and standard deviation calculated (Represented by the distribution A in the graph to the right). Samples of "bad" containers are measured and their statistical mean and standard deviation calculated (see B), Vac-Trac II then automatically calculates the optimum trip-point and the separation between the means (illustrated by point T1).

Separation of 3 to 4 standard deviations provides very reliable inspection decisions. When less separation is available, the threshold setting can be adjusted down (point T2) which would decrease the probability of rejecting good containers, or up (point T3) which would decrease the probability of passing bad containers.

Menus:

Product Control
From the Product Control Menu an operator selects the product to be inspected from the list of products whose parameters and thresholds have been entered. Products are described as understood (e.g. "Medium Salsa 24oz.").

Options
From the Options Menu an operator can access set-up choices, including: inspection algorithms, ejectors, and non-vacuum or pressure inspections. Choices are clearly described, for example: Missing Lid, High/Cocked Cap, Tamper Evident Band, etc.

Change Settings
All inspection parameters are entered through this menu with the operator first presented with the inspection timing, and then the ejector operation. A graphic screen displays a lid profile with the timing points. As adjustments are made, the operator can "see" timing changes on the displayed lid as they are made.

Adjust Trip/Sensitivity
Once set-up and in operation, the display from this menu selection graphically illustrates the system operation by showing the "Accept" Range as a bar graph over the deflection range. Actual inspection events are displayed as either "G's" (good) or "B's" (Bad/Rejects) on the bar graph in the position that they occur. This allows the operator to quickly visualize whether his accept range is close to the reject threshold. Changes in the threshold can be entered through this screen by toggling the threshold to the right or left on the bar display.

More
Count and Diagnostic Information can be accessed through the More menu. Among the diagnostic screens available, the Real-Time Analog Voltage Display graphically shows the inspection sensor's voltage. Since the system works best with a signal of 4 to 6 volts, the operator can easily see if the sensor is too close to the lid (high voltage) or too far away.

The full diagnostic range of checks and displays allows the operator to quickly analyze system status without extensive consultation to technical manuals, and at any time, by entering the "Help" keypad, the operator can get information about the screen and its use.

Keypad
The Vac-Trac II's keypad includes selection keys (designated F1 to F5) that correspond to choices presented on the graphic display menu and a numeric key block. The logical menu organization allows the operator to quickly and intuitively move to the correct menu and make a selection.

Technical Specifications

Power Requirements: - 115 VAC or 230 VAC, 50/60 Hz, single phase, 30W

Operating Environment: - Temperature 50° to 120°F (control enclosure); 0° to 160° F (sensor assembly); Relative Humidity 1% to 95%

Construction: - Stainless Steel Enclosures and Housings with acetyl co-polymer fixtures.

Dimensions:- Control Enclosure 16" x 16" x 7" Sensor Assembly adjusts to fit line

Operating Parameters: -

Speed: - Up to 2000 containers per minute.

Accuracy: - ±.005" change in lid deflection (steel)

Standard Equipment

• One Conveyor Mounted Adjustable Inspection Assembly including specified Measurement and Timing Sensors, Mounting Hardware and 20 feet of Cable
• One Stainless Steel Control Enclosure with Membrane Keyboard
• Technical Manual and Documentation
• Conveyor Speed Synchronizer

Options

• Ejectors
• Keylock for ON/OFF Switch
• Pedestal Mount for Control Module Enclosure
• Floor Mounted Sensor Height Adjustment
• PDQC Software
• Tamper Evident Band Inspection