38 n SENSORS AND ENCODERS February 2026 www.drivesncontrols.com Precise label detection keeps confectionery production sweet In the fast-paced world of confectionery manufacturing, efficiency and accuracy are paramount. Ensuring every product is correctly labelled isn't just about aesthetics; it's critical for traceability, quality control and, ultimately, customer satisfaction. This is where advanced factory automation, specifically smart sensing technologies can play a pivotal role. Imagine a high-volume confectionery line: sealed cartons of bagged treats whizzing along conveyors towards a labelling station. At this crucial point, precise application and verification of the labels is essential. Any misalignment or missing print marks can lead to significant headaches down the line, ranging from untraceable products to costly recalls. For one leading confectionery producer, the challenge was clear: how to detect that its labels were being aligned reliably and repeatably, and to confirm the presence of print markings on every carton, in real-time, without contact, and at production line speeds. In such applications, traditional methods often fall short, requiring manual intervention, or failing to keep pace with modern production demands. The installation needed to offer: n Reliable, repeatable in-line detection The application required non-contact sensing capable of consistent performance. n Real-time rejection Immediate identification and removal of unidentified or untraceable products n Remote set-up The manufacturer wanted to minimise the need for manual intervention on the factory floor. The answer came in the form of a versatile photoelectric contrast sensor from Contrinex’s Cubic Small range. These compact, yet powerful, devices are engineered for precision in demanding industrial environments. A single contrast sensor has been mounted next to the conveyor, immediately after the label printer-applicator. It has adjustable brackets that allow precise, easy positioning. As each labelled carton passes the detection point, the sensor’s single-lens autocollimator delivers a narrow optical beam, which can detect even the smallest features. The sensor chooses the best emission colour (using red, green or blue LED light) intelligently during set-up, ensuring optimal contrast resolution for various label and carton materials. Any changes in contrast trigger the sensor. The transition from the carton surface to the label body identifies the position and alignment of the label itself. Crucially, the well-defined contrast between printed content and the label body ensures reliable detection of even the smallest print marks, such as batch codes or expiry dates. If the label is aligned incorrectly, is blank, or if print markings are missing, the sensor triggers a reject mechanism immediately. The defective carton is then diverted to a holding area for investigation, preventing untraceable products from progressing further down the line or reaching the customer. By implementing intelligent sensing systems such as photoelectric contrast sensors, confectionery manufacturers can achieve unparalleled levels of accuracy and efficiency in their labelling processes. This not only safeguards product integrity and traceability, but also contributes to significant cost savings by reducing waste and preventing costly errors. n Ensuring that labels are correctly placed and marked on their products, is essential for confectionery manufacturers. Mark Weymouth, managing director of the sensor specialist, Plus Automation, describes how one producer is using photoelectric contrast sensors to check that its labels are present and correct. Photoelectric contrast sensors can detect if labels are incorrectly aligned, are blank, or have missing print markings
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