The pharmaceutical industry is subject to the strictest requirements in terms of product safety, hygiene, and traceability. Glass packaging such as vials, ampoules, syringes, and cartridges must be absolutely flawless to ensure safe drug administration. The optical inspection of these pharmaceutical glass containers is therefore a critical part of quality assurance. Vision & Control offers high-precision lenses, industrial lighting components, and powerful vision systems for this purpose—optimally tailored to the demanding requirements of pharmaceutical glass inspection.
Highest detection accuracy for transparent surfaces
The inspection of pharmaceutical glass requires precise detection accuracy while minimizing false error rates. Typical inspection tasks include the detection of cosmetic defects such as scratches, inclusions, bubbles, or streaks, as well as structural defects such as microcracks, hairline cracks, or chipping at the mouth and bottom. Dimension checks and glass wall thickness measurements are equally essential.
The challenge lies in capturing these features on highly transparent and highly reflective surfaces in a reproducible and reliable manner—often under clean room conditions and at high cycle rates.
Precise optics and adaptive lighting for maximum defect detection
Vision & Control industrial lenses are specially designed for high-resolution imaging and low distortion. Optimized chromatic correction enables detailed representation of even the finest structures.
Modular lighting technology—including ring lights, dome lights, and coaxial variants—ensures homogeneous, reflection-free illumination. Dark field illumination enables high-contrast imaging of fine hairline cracks and spalling, even on cylindrical geometries.
Modular image processing systems for validated processes
With the vicosys® platform, Vision & Control offers a powerful system for the parallel capture of multiple inspection features in a single process step. The integration of multiple synchronized cameras enables all-round inspections and 3D evaluations. Interfaces to fieldbus systems such as PROFINET or EtherCAT ensure easy connection to automated inspection lines.
The systems meet GMP and CFR 21 Part 11 requirements and support validation in accordance with regulatory specifications. From feasibility analysis to commissioning under clean room conditions, we support our customers in the implementation of highly available and validatable inspection solutions.