Nothing beats a refreshing Coca-Cola. Yet few of us know much about the mystery drink founded by a man by the name of Mr. Pemberton. Headquartered in Atlanta, Coca-Cola decided to open its doors to the public two years ago with a museum dedicated to the tasty beverage. Bottleworks is the focal point of the museum, allowing the audience to see the entire bottling process from fill to distribution. Museum visitors feel like they are in a Coca-Cola plant, with the production line slowed down so that each step is fully demonstrated. In a normal plant, the line speeds would move up 1,200 bottles per minute; in the museum, they move at 1,200 per hour.
Industrial Dynamics/filtec, the leader in bottle inspection, plays a major role in Coca-Cola plants across the country. The company produces the Omnivision II Empty Bottle Inspector, the Lasetec II Laser Coding System and the FT-50 Fill Level Inspector, all of which are displayed in the museum. The Omnivision II Empty Bottle Inspector is the only system to provide a full 360-degree view of the inside of a bottle prior to filling. The machine moves the bottle along the conveyor while a high-tech camera-based system takes pictures of the inside of each bottle, inspecting for damage and foreign items such as dirt and glass particles that might be inside the bottle. If the camera system detects a particle in the bottle, it is immediately rejected from the line. The system provides a full 360-degree inspection of the outside of the bottles as well. Next, the bottles move on to the Lasetec II Laser Coding System where they are sealed with a stamp of approval. This includes the date of bottle inspection and the production time.
Finally, the bottles are moved to the FT-50 Fill Level Inspector where they are inspected for underfill or overfill, as well as for a secure cap. If a cap is missing or cocked, the bottle is rejected.
This unique, state-of-the-art process can be viewed at the Coca-Cola Museum. "In a condensed plant experience, it is slowed down to a pace where people can readily observe the process," said Don Webb, Industrial Dynamics/filtec World of Coca-Cola representative. "They can see a single production line, and the camera taking pictures of the bottles, with the screen and monitor facing the public. It's an enjoyable experience."
Besides Bottleworks, visitors to the museum can also taste over 60 different products from around the world, experience the exciting 4-D theatre, see Coca-Cola memorabilia, give a 7-foot-tall polar bear a hug and take home a free 8-ounce bottle of Coca-Cola, fresh off the line.
For more information, visit www.worldofcoca-cola.com or www.filtec.com.