Performance, flexibility and, what's more, equipped on request with the automatic centrifugal positioning unit which makes it ideal, in terms of compactness and efficiency, for the downstream installation of any injection press, new or existent. This is the innovative PVS-3 preform vision system, developed by Sacmi's Automation & Inspection Systems Division and given its first market showing at the last edition of the international K 2016 fair in Düsseldorf.

Ten such machines have been installed and sold worldwide in just three months, from Spain to Vietnam; this demonstrates the market has been quick to respond to a solution that offers outstanding inspection rates of up to 72,000 preforms an hour and which can easily be installed both in-line with the press and offline. With regard to in-line operation, the upstream automatic centrifugal positioner is of particular interest; it enhances efficiency and is nicely compact, making investment decisions regarding existing lines easier. For offline installation the traditional roller positioner is also available, while the in-line solution can be equipped downstream with the innovative “soft drop” system that delicately sets down preforms exiting the vision system in octabins.

At the heart of the solution, beyond the flexibility and high output rate, lie - as is the Sacmi tradition - the outstanding inspection potential of the PVS-3: this spans from standard checks such as inspection of the preform mouth to the finish (especially the thread), the body and the bottom. Optional features include the exclusive, patented Sacmi “grille” method to intercept defects that can only be detected with polarised light, such as on-material stress, surface irregularities and watermarks etc.