Karl Knauer is committed to 100-percent inline quality control in package printing. The company has teamed up with Heidelberger Druckmaschinen and Vision Experts, a maker of devices for inspecting printed images, to create a system that cross-checks press sheets with the corresponding PDF files from prepress at full production speed. Special camera technology makes it possible to compare the text and pictures of every single sheet, down to the tiniest details. Customers can stipulate inspection areas and tolerances in the prepress stage by defining inspection windows for different parts of the sheet. The results of quality control are completely documented. "Straightforward local handling and inline measurement translate into greater quality and reliability, as well as a tangible gain in productivity," says Joachim Würz, managing director at Karl Knauer.

The joint development project was launched at the initiative of Karl Knauer KG, which is also the system's pilot user. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen is now working to integrate the system into its presses, with the required components being supplied by Vision Experts.

Das gemeinsame Entwicklungsprojekt entstand auf Initiative der Karl Knauer KG, zugleich Pilotanwender des Systems. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen zeichnet für die Integration in die Druckmaschinen verantwortlich, die erforderlichen Systemkomponenten kommen von Vision Experts.