A smarter approach to bakery production
Kowa SWIR Lenses Power Hyperspectral Imaging for Real-Time Food Quality Control
A smarter approach to bakery production is now possible thanks to the combination of IRIS Technology’s hyperspectral imaging systems and Kowa’s SWIR-optimized industrial lenses. This powerful pairing enables manufacturers to monitor, measure, and maintain critical quality parameters such as fat content directly on the production line, without slowing throughput.
Hyperspectral Imaging – A Leap Beyond Traditional Vision Systems
While conventional machine vision relies on just three color channels (RGB), hyperspectral imaging captures information across dozens or even hundreds of spectral bands, including areas of the spectrum invisible to the human eye. By extending into the short-wave infrared (SWIR) range, hyperspectral cameras can detect subtle chemical and physical differences that standard cameras miss.
This makes it possible to analyze product composition in real time — an approach already proven in fields like recycling, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals. In the food industry, it opens the door to non-invasive quality control, ensuring every product leaving the line meets strict standards.
The Challenge: Maintaining Consistent Fat Content in Cookies & Pastries
A large bakery faced recurring issues with fat content variations in its products. These fluctuations weren’t linked to obvious recipe changes, but they impacted both taste and production costs. Traditional lab testing methods were too slow — results could take hours, meaning there was no way to catch and correct deviations during production.
The solution? A fully integrated, in-line hyperspectral imaging system that could measure fat content in every cookie and pastry as they moved along the conveyor.
IRIS VISUM HSI – Real-Time Chemical Vision
To meet this need, IRIS Technology implemented its VISUM HSI platform — a line-scan hyperspectral analyzer designed for industrial use. Operating in the 900–1,700 nm SWIR range, it is particularly well-suited for fat detection, which is most visible around 1,200 nm and 1,750 nm.
Key capabilities include:
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Up to 300 lines per second scanning for seamless integration with high-speed lines
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Chemometrics-based software for self-calibration and adaptation to product variations
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Full plant system integration for real-time process control and alerting
Why Optics Matter – The Role of Kowa’s SWIR Lenses
Hyperspectral systems demand specialized optics — visible-light lenses simply cannot deliver sharp focus across infrared wavelengths. After evaluating multiple options, IRIS selected the Kowa LM8HC-SW, an 8mm SWIR-optimized industrial lens offering outstanding performance across the VISUM HSI’s full spectral range.
The LM8HC-SW is part of Kowa’s HC-SW series, which includes focal lengths from 8mm to 50mm for maximum flexibility. These lenses are designed with:
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Precise SWIR correction for crisp imaging across the 900–1,700 nm range
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Industrial-grade housing for durability in factory environments
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Compatibility with high-resolution SWIR sensors for demanding inspection tasks
Proven Results – Quality Gains and Cost Savings
Since installation, the bakery has operated the VISUM HSI system continuously for over six months. The results speak for themselves:
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Stabilized fat content across all products
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Reduced oil usage by 1.5%, cutting material costs
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Real-time alerts whenever process parameters drift outside limits
The system has been so effective that the manufacturer is now rolling out the solution to multiple production facilities.
Beyond Fat – A Tool for Comprehensive Food Quality Control
The same technology can be adapted to monitor moisture, sugar levels, seasoning uniformity, and other key product parameters. By continuously comparing each unit to the “ideal” product profile, manufacturers can achieve a balance between quality consistency and cost efficiency — all without halting production.
In summary:
The combination of IRIS Technology’s hyperspectral imaging platform and Kowa’s SWIR-optimized lenses is transforming food manufacturing quality control. It delivers the ability to see chemical composition in real time, respond instantly to process changes, and maintain both product excellence and cost control.