DOC Kaas is a Dutch cheese producer with two production locations in Hoogeveen. Various natural cheeses are produced at these locations, both in rectangular and round shapes, for various customers.
To ensure the quality of the cheeses produced, an advanced control system has been installed above the production line. This system is designed to detect defects, such as “spots” (spots on the cheese). If these spots are too large, the cheese no longer meets the customer’s requirements and will be rejected. By filtering these defects out of the process in a timely manner, production quality improves and customer confidence in the product is strengthened.
DOC Kaas’ current Vision system consists of two inspection stations. The cheese is tilted between the first and second inspection stations, so that the other side of the cheese can also be inspected. In the second station, the inspection data from both stations are linked to the unique quality mark on the cheese. There is a data matrix on the cheeses, which is read by Vision cameras and registered in the back-end. This information is then translated into a user-friendly user interface, in which the customer can make various adjustments, such as adjusting the spot size. This way, cheeses are not wrongly rejected. After adjustments in the interface, the cheese is guided through the system again and will then still be approved.
However, the supplier no longer provided support for this existing Vision system. That is why EKB has replaced the software applications, consisting of image processing and the user interface, with applications developed by EKB. In addition, EKB also provides additional support through a Service Level Agreement in the event of malfunctions or incidents of the inspection system. In this way, the continuity of the production line is guaranteed and DOC Cheese is ready for the future!