BST Enables Complete Automation: Inspection Workflow with TubeScan SmartData QLink
TubeScan, a print inspection system, offers technologies for prepress connections, standard print inspection and postpress processes. The latest developments with SMARTData QLink enable seamless integration into existing workflows and increase efficiency and quality at all stages of the printing process. Complete automation of label printing is now possible - from pre-press to finishing, packaging and dispatch.
Prepress workflow:
Job data is already generated in the prepress stage via interfaces to common ERP and MIS systems and sent to the print department via the customer network. This enables orders to be set up much more quickly:
The connection to renowned software solutions for the printing industry such as ESKO and HYBRID enables smooth integration into existing workflows. TubeScan works hand in hand with established prepress workflow solutions such as "CloudFlow" and "Automation Engine" to ensure an efficient process. The prepress workflow includes the definition of the artwork in the layout program whereby inspection zones are already defined, e.g. for variable barcodes or alphanumeric sequences. The prepress software then automatically generates the step-and-repeat.
Printing process:
TubeScan offers comprehensive inspection functions for the printing process, including variable data monitoring, image inspection and inspection of finishes. Reference images can either be derived directly from the PDF or validated by comparison with the first printed repeat. With SMARTData QLink, the roll log can be edited during printing. The good count is displayed in real time - per roll or cumulated over the entire job. The inspection software detects and logs errors precisely via SMARTData QLink, ensuring effective quality control.
Two highlights of the new BST solution are particularly interesting for digital printing: The "Dynamic Job Change" enables a job change without stopping the machine if there are several jobs on a roll. TubeScan automatically recognizes the new job and retrieves the corresponding master in real time for comparison during inspection. This saves time and reduces waste.
Setting up the system is also extremely simple: synchronization with the print repeat is purely software-controlled. External trigger sensors are not required.
But inline inspection with TubeScan can do even more: variable data can also be inspected in parallel. Variable barcodes or alphanumeric character strings can be checked, decoded and compared with a database by TubeScan.
Postpress:
The QLink data from the printing process is used for further processing to rectify defects. In the post-press area, SMARTData QLink provides the error logs via the lead-out barcode. Based on the rollmap of the job, stored defects are processed efficiently, with the TubeScan placement function controlling the converting machine and enabling precise positioning of the faulty repeat. Even the rewinder can be controlled with QLink Rewinder for automatic defect positioning. Last but not least, it is possible to use the information printed on the finished roll to tell a packaging robot which rolls can ultimately be delivered.
For pharmaceutical products, TubeScan also offers a rewind function to enable re-inspection of the error correction.
All QLink data can be accessed and edited by the QM department via the network or retrieved via a cloud solution. In this way, BST TubeScan creates security and efficiency for particularly demanding orders.
"Our innovative solutions offer a holistic approach to the entire printing process," says Joachim Barthelme, Executive Vice President of BST GmbH and Managing Director of Nyquist Systems GmbH. "Through our integration in prepress, press and postpress phases, we help our customers increase their efficiency while ensuring unsurpassed print quality."
TubeScan provides the printing industry with a pioneering solution that meets the challenges of the modern printing environment and redefines the standards for efficiency and quality.
The preceding press release was provided by a company unaffiliated with Packaging Impressions. The views expressed within do not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of the staff of Packaging Impressions.
