On Chocolate and Stainless Steel Cases
Bi-Ber would also like to extend its warmest congratulations on AUCOTEAM’s 25th anniversary and take a moment to acknowledge our long-standing business relationship. For over 15 years now, Berlin-based image processing expert Bi-Ber has been partnered with AUCOTEAM in a relationship founded on chocolate and stainless steel—more specifically, stainless steel enclosures. But what does this sweet treat have to do with stainless steel enclosures?
Bi-Ber develops machine vision systems for in-process quality control. In addition to the medical technology sector, automotive suppliers and electronics manufacturers, the confectionery industry is also among its customers. This is where chocolate comes into play—and with it, the quality control that ensures only the intended ingredients are used in production: Bi-Ber has developed a successful image processing system for mold emptying checks, in which the inspection system is protected by stainless steel enclosures from AUCOTEAM.
AUCOTEAM has been supplying Bi-Ber with the enclosures since 2000. During this long-standing supplier-customer relationship, there was a lively exchange of know-how, expertise and products between the two Berlin-based companies, which ultimately led to Bi-Ber providing the image processing systems for AUCOTEAM’s automatic welding machines. The circle was complete when AUCOTEAM turned to Bi-Ber for advice regarding a wear test on chocolate molds.
However, this strong partnership is based not only on the shared expertise of both companies, but also on their shared Berlin location: “As a Berlin-based company, a local partner like AUCOTEAM is indispensable to us,” summarizes Ronald Krzywinski, Managing Director at Bi-Ber. “This is the only way to guarantee close collaboration between the designer and the manufacturer. We benefit not only from short distances but also from a high degree of flexibility when it comes to last-minute changes. AUCOTEAM delivers even small quantities of highly specific orders to us easily and with high quality. We look forward to another 25 years of cooperation and the exchange of expertise with AUCOTEAM!”
Where stainless steel cases and chocolate meet
The latest innovation in mold breakage detection from Bi-Ber is a novel, high-precision 3D scanning process using a laser profile sensor that reliably detects damaged breaks in chocolate molds inline and automatically monitors wear. Food-safe stainless steel housings are also used for this system. The system has already been deployed by a well-known German confectionery manufacturer and will soon help other manufacturers meet the highest quality and safety standards as well.
Compared to grayscale detection, the 3D system is superior because it can very reliably distinguish even small irregularities caused by chocolate splatters from broken-off plastic parts. And with a resolution of 0.5 mm in x/y/z, it detects objects significantly smaller than would be necessary to detect material chips larger than one square centimeter. This eliminates unpleasant surprises, such as splinters in the chocolate bar.
About Bi-Ber
Founded in 1997, the company develops and manufactures image processing systems for in-process quality control and has maintained a long-standing and successful supplier-customer relationship with AUCOTEAM. Since 2000, Bi-Ber has been purchasing stainless steel enclosures in various sizes from AUCOTEAM several times a year. Bi-Ber’s range of services includes the design of hardware components, on-site assembly, commissioning and adjustment of systems, as well as the development of application-specific software solutions. Bi-Ber currently employs eight full-time staff members and several freelancers.
