Packaging printing: innovative new image processing system checks for faults

Mistakes on the packaging - and entire batches have to be thrown away. A more and more expensive business the later the mistake is noticed. Since packs nowadays are not being printed until they are on the packaging machine to an increasing extent, the human eye has practically no opportunity to recognise mistakes at an early stage. The Fraunhofer institute for information and data processing (IITB) in Karlsruhe / Germany has now developed an innovative new image processing system called PrintInspektor, with which it is possible to check completely automatically whether the serial number and use-by date are correct, whether the printing quality is right and whether the pack is spoiled by any unsightly marks.

The PrintInspector is an image analysis system, with which printing quality can be monitored constantly, keeping pace with production. It has been developed specially for checking the print motif as operations are being completed ...

... to assess the printing quality
Even minor, localised deviations are detected when the printing quality is being checked. The system reacts when contrast faults are identified, when colour vignettes are incorrect or when the structures in the printing specimen are wrong.

... to verify variable data
Variable data are used on packs to give a product a serial number, a batch number or a use-by date, for example. The PrintInspector checks whether the information is correct.

... to detect marks or other contamination
The PrintInspektor checks the entire pack. The unprinted areas are screened for marks and other contamination too.

The PrintInspector checks printing on many different materials: aluminium foil, paper, board, plastic or wood. It can be used with lighting from below and from the side and checks printing on flat or cylindrical surfaces, as long as the printing contrasts sufficiently with the background of the picture.

Fraunhofer institute for information and data processing (IITB)
"Visual testing systems" division (SPR)
Application and operating programs
Dr.-Ing. Willi Hättich
Fraunhoferstrasse 1
76131 Karlsruhe
Germany

Phone: +49 721 6091 263
Fax: +49 721 6091 413
E-mail: haettich@iitb.fraunhofer.de
http://www.iitb.fraunhofer.de
Further information