FREQUENTLY ASKED Test can QUESTIONS:

  1. Why do you need Test Cans?

    Gamma and XRay fill level inspectors need regular verification to prove that the inspection system is inspecting and rejecting lowfill / underfill cans and passing acceptable filled cans. This may be done with actual cans and product, but new ones have to be made every time a can gets damaged - which is frequently.

    In passing aluminum cans with product, the liquid needs to settle to get a precise reading of the liquid. Therefore the cans must be inserted with care and well before the inspection system. With solid test cans liquid settling is not an issue and not as much care is required.

    OMIT Adjustable Fill Slug Test Cans replace aluminum cans with a precision-engineered solid reference. The interior adjustable fill slug mimics the product in the can and is set to the desired height. The Red Test Can (NO GO) is set to what is considered a reject the Green (GO) is set 2mm higher and must pass every time. The inspection system needs to be raised / lowered or adjusted if the test cans do not perform as expected. By doing hourly checks, inspection quality may be verified quickly and easily - reducing holds.

  2. Why do you need Adjustable Fill Slug Test Cans?

    Many customers in the past used cheap plastic test cans at a height determined by the quality control department. These may work well for a while. The problem is, the cans slowly shrink / wear on the heel, changing the overall fill height. Also, if the can supplier gets changed or the fill height specification gets changed, these cans are unusable.

    By utilizing adjustable test cans, if a specification changes, the fill height may be easily changed on the test can.

  3. Why do you need a Red and Green Test Can?

    Having the two test cans ensures that the fill level inspector is inspecting / rejecting in the correct region. Many customers in the past may have simply used a Red Test Can. This however does not tell you if the inspection system is set too high, it only verifies if the inspector height is set to low. By having both test cans, one can be sure you are not rejecting too many “good” cans.

  4. What makes your Test Cans unique to other manufacturers?

    With over 30 years experience, we were frustrated with many different designs and tried to improve on the concept:

    • Stainless heels on most designs to reinforce bottom, minimize wear / shrinkage and allow for easy insertion (slide easily) in to running production lines

    • Hard / Rubbery material for more impact and scuff resistance

    • Closely mimic actual production cans for accurate triggering / inspection

    • XRay / Gamma readings closer to actual product for better machine setup

    • Integrated Fill Level / Missing Lid / DUD Test Cans to challenge multiple inspections on the same conveyor - if required

    • Integrated “Good Lid” available to pass lid inspection systems - if required

    • Most North American and European sizes available - custom sizes available upon request

    • Works on basically every XRay / Gamma inspection system

    • Tough 3-pin internal cam lock to keep slug from moving

    • Easy to use and change as required with supplied tool

    • Tamper resistant, since tool required

5. What are DUD Test Cans?

DUD cans are an industry term referring to cans that have inadequate internal pressure. OMIT DUD or Pressure Test Cans have machined aluminum lids designed to challenge “look-down” type inspection systems. These are normally laser or analog sensor based systems profiling the top of the can lids, by comparing the outer chines (seam edges) of the can with the respect to the center of the can.

6. What OMIT Systems “DUD” Pressure Detection Test Cans are available?

Our newest anodized and teflon coated machined lids are usually incorporated with fill level test cans. The “Good DUD” lid is machined to mimic a good pressure lid. These are installed on the Green (GO) Test Cans where the fill level slug is set to a good fill and the “Good DUD” lid is designed to also pass the pressure detection system. The Red (NO GO) Test Cans would then have the “Good DUD” lid installed to pass the pressure detection system, but reject on the fill level inspection system. Our Yellow Test Can has an adjustable body height and adjustable pressure lid, with a “Good Fill” slug inside to pass the fill level inspection. The exposed screw in the center of the lid may be adjusted and locked to mimic the desired reject pressure. The heel height is adjustable / lockable to assist in mimicking the lid readings required for the pressure detection system.

7. Why do you incorporate different inspection options in to the test cans?

By knowing what options you have on your equipment, we can tailor the test cans to accomodate them. The goal is to allow an operator to not touch the inspection system, run the test cans and only the GREEN can should pass. All other cans: RED, YELLOW… should reject if everything is operating correctly. Many other companies do not accomodate the different inspection features and operators need to turn functions off to run the test cans properly. This is not advisable, since the operator may not turn the options back on again and now you have a product hold. We are trying to make the test cans as idiot proof as possible.

8. What are Reject Challenge Test Cans?

Reject Challenge Test Cans are usually gross defect test cans that are automatically forced to reject. Normally gross underfill and missing lids. Many customers use these on a periodic basis to ensure their rejection systems can cleanly reject multiple consecutive cans in a row at high speeds. They are usually run 10 to 100 in a row at production speeds to check the rejector performance. Our newest design incorporates stainless steel removable weighting for customer’s changing requirements.

9. What are Missing Lid Test Cans?

These are test cans that mimic a good filled can but have a stainless ring around the upper perimeter. These are designed to challenge the missing lid option on the inspection device to make sure the Yellow Missing Lid Test Can rejects. It also verifies inspection timing and if an overly sensitive sensor is being used (should not detect ring as a “Good Lid”).

10. What other options are available?

Besides the options mentioned above, other options are:

  • Internal stainless steel cladding to accomodate inspection systems using proximity sensor type triggering systems that only see metal for triggering

  • Test bottles for glass / plastic similar reasons as test cans

  • Conveyor mounted trays to hold test containers close to inspection equipment for easy testing and protection of test containers. All stainless HACCP compliant.

  • Test container baskets to carry test containers around. All stainless HACCP compliant.

  • Adjustable height / adjustable fill slug for PET test bottles - if required

11. Is there a warranty on the Test Cans?

We offer a 1 year warranty on all our Test Cans.

Due to continous improvement, specifications are subject to change.