The challenge
Maria Bortolotti, a winery of international prestige, chose PIQAPART to ensure the highest quality standards for its products. Manual inspection of bottles for the presence of foreign bodies and internal residues required considerable time and was subject to potential human error. The company was seeking a more efficient and accurate solution to ensure that every bottle of wine, particularly natural wines that may contain residues, complied with the highest standards.
The solution
The PIQAPART team of experts was engaged to develop a bespoke solution. We implemented an inspection system based on RGB area scan cameras and advanced computer vision algorithms. The system was designed to detect any foreign body or residue present within the bottles, regardless of the size or nature of the contaminant. Lighting was optimised through the use of a dedicated lightbox, positioning the bottle between the light source and the camera to ensure precise image capture.
The application
The system was integrated into the winery’s existing production line. Bottles pass through an automated inspection station where they are scanned by RGB area scan cameras. These cameras analyse the composition of the liquid inside each bottle and identify any deviation from the wine’s normal characteristics, including natural residues. If foreign bodies or anomalies are detected, the bottle is immediately segregated for further manual inspection.
The results
The implementation of this solution resulted in a significant reduction in costs associated with manual inspection and a substantial increase in production efficiency, particularly given the complexity of natural wines with residues. In addition, the accuracy and reliability of the inspection process reached unprecedented levels. The winery was able to guarantee consistent product quality, including for wines with unique characteristics such as natural wines, thereby strengthening customer trust.
The conclusion
This project demonstrates how advanced technology, such as that provided by PIQAPART, can enhance quality and efficiency in wine production, even when dealing with specialised products such as natural wines with residues. The company is now able to address quality control challenges more quickly and effectively, while maintaining its reputation for excellence within the wine industry.