What Is a Print Inspection System
A print inspection system is a device that inspects for errors or problems in the printing of dates in manufacturing processes in the food and medical industries.
In recent years, consumers have become increasingly aware of the need for safety and security, and errors in the labeling of product expiration dates in the food and medical industries can lead to major problems. Any printing error can result in not only the loss of money and time associated with product recalls, but also the loss of customer trust.
Therefore, a print inspection system that prevents errors caused by human factors is in high demand in the manufacturing field. The introduction of a print inspection system enables stable inspections with high accuracy and consistent standards and also guarantees records through image storage.
Uses of Print Inspection Systems
Print inspection systems are often used on production lines to inspect the presence or absence of print, as well as any missing or incorrect print, on the expiration date, factory-specific symbols, lot numbers, and other items printed on products and packages.
The system can inspect the printing in areas that are difficult to identify manually or that require time for visual inspection, such as the backside of products. Images used for inspection can also be saved, which helps reduce risk by anticipating problems after shipment.
The print inspection systems can be linked with a mechanism that ejects only NG products after inspection. By interlocking with the ejection mechanism, NG products can be ejected while the line is still in operation. The main mechanisms that can be introduced include an air jet ejection mechanism from an air outlet and an arm mechanism to eject NG products with pinpoint accuracy.
Principle of Print Inspection Systems
Print inspection systems consist of a camera that captures images of the printed surface, an analyzer that inspects the captured images, a monitor that displays the results and settings, and storage for storing the images.
A fixed digital camera captures images of the printed surface as it flows from the production line. The captured images are subjected to image analysis and inspected for problems. In production, it is important not only to detect errors with high accuracy but also to avoid detecting errors excessively.
With the development of image analysis technology, there are print inspection systems with many features that can detect not only characters in the printed area but also other problems such as the presence of smudges. In addition, there are also print inspection systems available that can be linked to a printing machine, which is expected to improve inspection efficiency and further automate the process.
Other Information on Print Inspection Systems
Advantages of Print Inspection Systems
1. Reduction of Inspectors and Elimination of Errors
By installing print inspection systems, the work can be done without the inspectors’ manual labor required for print inspections. In addition, when inspections are conducted manually, inspection errors can occur. To maintain work efficiency and quality assurance for a long time, print inspection systems are very important.
2. Highly Accurate Print Inspection
Some models of print inspection devices are equipped with a printer interlocking function, which automatically synchronizes item switching, calendars, etc., eliminating omissions and errors in settings. In addition, print inspectors can identify misprints, missing prints, and missing prints with high accuracy, thereby controlling excessive error reactions and preventing unnecessary lost items, thereby ensuring reliable inspection while maintaining productivity.
3. Print Images Can Be Saved to Prevent Recurrence
By saving the inspection images of the print inspection machine, it is possible to keep an inspection history at the time of shipment. If a problem occurs after the product has been shipped, the cause of the problem cannot be identified because the date and time of the print inspection and the condition of the product at the time of shipment cannot be confirmed if the inspection images are not saved. By storing all inspection images, it is possible to investigate the cause of the problem and prevent recurrence, which has the advantage of leading to a more stable supply of food and medical products.