January 23, 2025
Cutting-Edge ClearVision Technologies Enhance Abbott Action’s Quality Control
Abbott Action, a provider of corrugated packaging and POP displays, has installed new ClearVision systems at its Massachusetts plant. This collaboration marks a significant milestone as Abbott Action becomes the first independent corrugated plant in the Northeast to install Valco Melton’s state-of-the-art PrintChek and GapChek systems. With these systems, it guarantees 100% inspection of print quality and manufacturers’ gaps on every box and sheet, ensuring perfect products for its customers.
Revolutionary Print Quality Control
Valco Melton’s PrintChek system, installed on Abbott Action’s Apstar rotary die cutter, represents the pinnacle of vision-based inspection technology. Designed for die cutters and flexo folder-gluers, PrintChek is positioned after the last print down and before the die cut section. PrintChek’s camera and lighting modules are enclosed in a robust housing designed specifically for the corrugated environment. A high-flow, low-pressure blower keeps lighting and cameras free of dust, ink, and debris, while a protective shutter mechanism safeguards the equipment during maintenance and washup.
The system utilizes color line scan cameras for full sheet print inspection, analyzing every sheet for defects, including print-to-sheet alignment, print-to-print consistency, color accuracy, barcode quality, spots, hickeys, blemishes, and board damage. This inspection allows operators to maintain full production speed with complete confidence.
Precision Gap Measurement
GapChek, implemented on Abbott Action’s Isowa Falcon, focuses on measuring and ensuring the accuracy of every manufacturer’s gap. The system employs two cameras that automatically move across the discharge conveyor to locate and image the finished manufacturer’s joints. Using ClearVision’s proprietary AI process, these images are analyzed, measured, and classified as passing or defective, providing near real-time feedback to operators and enabling immediate sorting of defective products. The system features a visual statistical process control (SPC) chart and measurements of CP and CPK values on a 22″ touch screen HMI.
Enhanced Quality Assurance
Abbott Action has further strengthened their quality control with Valco Melton’s GlueChek system. Installed after the gluing station, this technology analyzes glue patterns on every tab, checking for issues such as missing glue, incorrect volume, and improper positioning. When problems are detected, the system immediately alerts operators and marks defective boxes.
Transforming Production
with Cutting-Edge Technology
The implementation of Valco Melton’s systems has significantly enhanced Abbott Action’s production capabilities and quality assurance processes. The impact of this investment is best described by the company’s leadership:
“Abbott Action has been working with Valco Melton for years; we truly enjoy their support of our organization. As we have grown our business, the quality we deliver to our customers is paramount. It is exciting to utilize the cutting-edge technology that not only creates a more efficient production environment but also allows us to deliver the highest standard to our customers,” says Sam Abbott, CEO of Abbott Action.
For More Information
Corrugated industry professionals interested in scheduling a visit to Abbott Action to experience the PrintChek and GapChek systems in operation should contact info@valcomelton.com.
Jeff Pollack
National Sales Manager
Jeff.Pollack@ValcoMelton.com
513-874-6550
