Annular joint sealant inspection for reliable cartridges in ammunition manufacturing

In cartridge production, the annular joint sealant performs a critical sealing function. It prevents moisture from entering, thereby protecting the propellant from degradation. Even minor irregularities in the lacquer application can compromise the seal, leading to cartridge failure during use.

Since the sealant is applied prior to the final crimping/sealing stage, early inspection is essential. This is the only stage where faulty cases can still be specifically identified and reworked.

For the inspection, the base of the cartridge is captured using 2D machine vision. An industrial camera, combined with ring lighting, ensures constant illumination and reproducible results.

The sealant ring around the primer is fully captured and analyzed. The vision system detects whether the sealant is continuous or if gaps and voids occur. Insufficient layer thickness is also reliably identified.

Evaluation is performed by our aku.visionManager® software, which combines rule-based methods with AI. This allows for the robust assessment of varying sealant appearances, even with process-related fluctuations.

Sealant inspection occurs directly within the ongoing process, allowing for early intervention in the event of deviations. Defective cartridges can be specifically rejected and reworked before the final assembly step.

This reduces scrap rates and prevents faulty components from entering downstream processes. Simultaneously, it ensures the integrity of the cartridges and significantly minimizes the risk of functional failures.