Abstract
The aim of this work is to develop a microprocessor-based sensor that measures the quality of the offset printing plate through the introduction of different image analysis applications. The main features of the presented system are the low cost, the low amount of power consumption, its modularity and easy integration with other industrial modules for printing plates, and its robustness against noise environments. For the sake of clarity, a viability analysis of previous software is presented through different strategies, based on dynamic histogram and Hough transform. This paper provides performance and scalability data compared with existing costly commercial devices. Furthermore, a general overview of quality control possibilities for printing plates is presented and could be useful to a system where such controls are regularly conducted.
Highlights
Offset printing is currently the most commonly used printing technique
The aim of this paper is to develop a new microprocessor-based sensor in order to determine the quality of the offset printing plate with circular shaped image elements through an introduction of different image analysis applications
The image analysis software shows a percentage of the surface coverage with the printing elements
Summary
Offset printing is currently the most commonly used printing technique It is an indirect reproduction process, in which the printing ink is first transferred from the printing plate onto an Sensors 2013, 13 intermediate carrier (e.g., blanket, rubber) and onto the substrate. The principle of the offset printing process is based on the physicochemical differences between the printing (image) and the non-printing areas on the printing plate, which are practically on the same level (Figure 1). Printing areas are made of non-polar organic materials (creating a photosensitive layer) and have hydrophobic properties [3]. Separate from hydrophobic properties, printing areas have oleophilic characteristics, which mean that oil-based printing ink will adhere to them during the reproduction process. Non-printing areas are hydrophilic, repellant to oil-based inks, and made of mechanically- and electrochemically-grained aluminium oxide [4,5,6,7]
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