AKRON, OH-As part of a major investment in its North American plants, British packaging giant Rexam has awarded an exclusive five-year contract to Applied Vision for complete inspection systems services.

The agreement encompasses the replacement of previous suppliers’ equipment with Genius and Kroma-King systems with VTRAC technology, systems installation, training, technical support and service for all Rexam Beverage Can North America’s plants in the United States and Mexico. Rexam’s European facilities are considering the program for possible implementation later this year.

Integrated in the lines, the Genius systems will automatically inspect 100% of the containers for inside can defects, while the Kroma-King systems will similarly perform mixed label inspections. The systems automatically reject defects from the line.

These installations also have advanced process monitoring technology. Applied Vision’s VTRAC intelligent machine software enables the systems to immediately pinpoint the manufacturing component causing a defect trend. Rexam’s new systems instantly alert line personnel to the exact upstream body maker, necker pocket or spray gun causing the defect, as well as the source of a label mix-up.