Sussex, Wisconsin – Press controls manufacturer QuadTech Inc. has unveiled the first web-fed, in-line inspection system that measures color on both paper and unsupported packaging film. The new, enhanced version of the company's Inspection System with SpectralCam enables continuous, in-line monitoring of virtually all web-fed package materials, including transparent and translucent substrates.

Using a unique suite of advanced algorithms, the new, enhanced version of the Inspection System with SpectralCam inspects the entire substrate one hundred percent of the time, providing real-time quality data, highlighting deviances as soon as they occur, and pinpointing any problems within the roll.

The SpectralCam camera uses true 31 bin spectrophotometer technology to measure spectral response and calculates accurate L*a*b*, ΔE and ΔDensity values at maximum press and rewinder speeds. The system measures up to 72 color targets within the work, configured as 12 units with six targets, each of which is determined by the operator. L*a*b* values, comprising references for luminescence, and red-green and yellow-blue hues, provide an exact, objective means of describing color and color variation. Capable of detecting a small fraction of a ΔE variation, SpectralCam is many  times more sensitive to subtle color differences than the human eye.

John Cusack, product manager at QuadTech, explains why accurate in-line color measurement of film posed a great challenge: "Film material, being unsupported, is less stable than paper as it is more susceptible to fluttering and wrinkling during production. The fluctuating distance between sensor and web makes it almost impossible to attain constant results. Furthermore, idlers, though stable, are prone to contamination, which would negatively affect measurement accuracy.

"We have solved the problem by developing an innovative supporting device, positioned between the idlers. Its vacuum system  stabilizes the web on to a low friction surface, enabling the web to maintain a stable distance from the camera at the point of measurement. This also enables the camera to record spectral responses, required by ISO standards for calculating accurate L*a*b* values."

The enhanced Inspection System allows film printers to take advantage of the enormous waste savings potential that in-line measurement offers. Off-line measurement is a risky and costly means of quality control, because checks are only possible at the beginning and end of each roll, if production stoppages are to be avoided.

"The enhancements to the Inspection System with SpectralCam provide a stable environment that guarantees repeatable color measurement. Rather than having to install separate inspection and color measurement systems, package printers now have an all-in-one in-line solution for maintaining the highest standards of print quality throughout the production run, whatever material format they use," continues Mr. Cusack.

The measurements taken by the Inspection System with SpectralCam can be stored on QuadTech's Data Central and Waste Management Systems. Data Central is a central repository for all production data, current and historical, allowing greater traceability in the production process. The Waste Management System presents an overview of the roll, highlighting reject and acceptable zones and stops the slitter-rewinder in exact places where splicing or removal is required.

QuadTech engineers complete development of a revolutionary method for stabilizing film on press, allowing for highly accurate in-line color measurement and 100% inspection in one system.