Box Volume Estimation on Packaging Line

Using 3D technology to more accurately calculate container volumes on packaging lines.

Solution by: Data Monsters

Date: March 2021

Challenge

Boxes with contents move along the conveyor, and the empty volume in them is filled with a special filler. The contents of each box are different, so it’s necessary to calculate the required amount of filler for each box individually — balancing precision, operating speed, and the cost of the equipment.

Solution

A 3D camera is positioned above the production conveyor. It takes a depth map of a box and its contents. Anomalies and noise are then removed from the image. The neural network deployed to Nvidia Jetson Xavier uses a depth map to calculate the dimensions of a box, as well as the volume of its contents. Based on the data obtained, the required filler volume is calculated.

Technologies used:

• Nvidia Jetson Xavier
• Allen Bradley PLC