Virtual Reference Image Generation for Printing Quality Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for checking printing processes on freely configurable articles face challenges due to the lack of standardized image data and quality standards, making it difficult to perform effective quality control without prior learning data or reference images.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a data supply device, a camera, and a computer that provides printing data, records images, and performs automatic optical inspections by comparing product data with image data, enabling quality checks without requiring prior print data and allowing for predictive process control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional optical inspection systems are used for freely configurable articles, then they require extensive databases of reference images from standardized printing processes, but they cannot effectively handle customer-specific configurations without prior training data
Solution Approach 1:
The system generates a virtual reference image of the customer-specific article configuration before the actual printing process. This virtual reference image is created by rendering the article with its specific design parameters, allowing the inspection system to have a reference standard ready in advance without requiring physical prototypes or previous printing examples.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using physical prototypes or real printed samples as reference, the system creates a digital copy (virtual reference image) that represents the expected appearance of the customer-specific article. This digital copy serves as the reference standard for comparison during optical inspection, eliminating the need for physical reference objects.
2Reliability
If manual training processes or conventional production control are used, then they can work with standardized articles, but they fail for freely configurable articles due to unavailability of training data
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual training processes and physical prototype preparation with an automated computer-based virtual rendering system. The computer automatically generates the virtual reference image from digital product data, eliminating the need for manual setup, physical prototypes, and training data collection while maintaining high reliability for quality inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-setup by automatically generating virtual reference images from the article's digital product data without requiring external training data or manual intervention. The computer device autonomously creates the reference standard needed for quality inspection, making the system self-sufficient for handling new customer-specific configurations.
3Manufacturing precision
If databases of photographs from standardized printing processes are used, then quality standards can be maintained for known articles, but they cannot be applied to newly created customer-specific articles
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static reference image databases to dynamic virtual reference image generation. Instead of relying on pre-captured photographs of standardized articles, the system dynamically generates appropriate reference images tailored to each specific customer configuration, enabling both quality control and adaptability to new article types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the fundamental parameter of the reference standard from fixed photographic images to dynamically generated virtual images that can adapt to different article parameters. By modifying the virtual rendering process to accommodate various customer-specific parameters, the system maintains manufacturing precision across diverse article configurations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances the reliability of printing process monitoring and control for newly created articles, eliminating the need for prototypes and extensive reference images, and enabling adaptive quality checks across various printing configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a camera device (20) which is designed to record an image of an article which has been printed by a printing process
Implementation Method 2
The image of the printed article is digitized using an electronic image converter or image sensor and is provided in the form of image data
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device (100) for checking the printing of an article, wherein the device (100) comprises: a data provision device (10) configured to provide printing data for the article from product data of the article; a camera device (20) configured to capture an image of an article printed by a printing process and to provide it as image data; and a computer device (30) configured to perform a quality check of the printing process based on a comparison of the printing data with the image data.