Fraunhofer IKTS launches OCT-based inline seal inspection system for German packaging lines

The Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (Fraunhofer IKTS) has integrated optical coherence tomography (OCT) into a packaging line to inspect seal seams in real time. The OCT‑based system, developed within the publicly funded OCTInline project, can detect material defects, pores and insufficient welds as small as eight micrometres while the line runs at up to 25 m per minute, without damaging the product. Researchers Conner Phillips and Ralf Schallert explain that the technology, originally created for ophthalmology, now provides high‑resolution three‑dimensional images of the internal structure of sealed foils, supporting sustainability goals by ensuring the quality of recyclable monolayer films.

Separately, OCTUM stresses that successful visual inspection requires early system integration during machine planning. Embedding cameras and image‑processing functions from the start, rather than as an afterthought, ensures reliable positioning, adequate space, proper lighting and stable data pathways, which is essential for high‑speed production environments.