VIDEO INSPECTION

Overview & Benefits
POWERscope® 3000
HandyScan® 2000
SUPER HandyScan® 3000
ProScan® 3000
PREMIUS digital 3Chip

OVERVIEW & BENEFITS

BST Pro Mark®'s pioneering video web inspection systems have helped pressrooms push the envelope of performance. These incredible machines allow press operators to monitor, control and correct print quality in real time, and in so doing, effectively manage streaking, hickeys, bar code quality, registration, and color consistency. These tools make press operation easier, boost output, and significantly reduce waste.

Want proof? Customer research has quantified the benefits you can expect with a BST Pro Mark® video inspection system on your press:

Reduced waste

Improved print quality

Faster press speeds
Video inspection gives you confidence in the quality of work coming off your press, and will run at full speed.

Faster set-up

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POWERscope® 3000

Unparalleled Ease of Use and Operator Functionality
Inspired by experienced press operators BST designed a video inspection system that really fits the needs of the narrow web press room.  New features and a simplified membrane control panel result in a system that is easier to use than ever.  Your press operators will thank you with reduced waste, improved productivity and enhanced quality.

POWERscope® 3000 combines a high quality PAL video image with a large 3” X 4” field of view - 68% larger than the products predecessor. It comes standard with a 17” SVGA monitor. The product packs a powerful 38X magnification, essential for effective viewing and inspection of register marks, traps, dot structure, die cuts, tiny type and many other print quality attributes.

All this inspection power is neatly packed into a compact 4” X 6” X 12” camera box, making it ideal for use on a wide variety of printing machines.

More than anything, BST Pro Mark® web inspection systems are known for being more intuitive and easier to use than other inspection systems, and as a result, yield greater results in the press room. POWERscope® 3000 takes this advantage further in three ways: with simplified control design, improved operational icons, and with two new productivity enhancing features never before seen in this class of web inspection systems - Quick Zoom and Dynamic Image Update.

Market research has shown that visual web inspection systems are most commonly used at minimum and maximum zoom levels, typically looking at either large overall print areas or small areas in great detail. The new Quick Zoom feature on POWERscope® 3000 allows a user to almost instantly go to maximum or minimum zoom with the touch of a single icon, thus saving valuable time and improving operator efficiency.

Dynamic Image Update (DIU) is another innovative and unique new feature on POWERscope® 3000, where the system increases the frequency of images taken automatically whenever certain functions are used. For example: when zooming in or out on an image, DIU tells the system to take up to ten pictures per second (rather than the normal two), resulting in image navigation that is more natural, seamless and intuitive for the operator.

Standard features on the POWERscope® 3000 also include Auto Constant Scan, Split Screen and 360 degree camera orientation. Each contains unique functionality for the user not found on competitive systems.

The Split screen function is more advanced than competitive systems, memorizing the postion as well as the zoom and iris settings. This makes split-screen quite useful as both a start-up and running press room tool.

Auto Constant Scan allows a user to inspect portions or all of the print repeat area at the touch of a single icon. The manual POWERscope® contains ACS in machine direction only. The POWERscope® mot contains ACS both acrosss the web and in machine direction. The operator can also select the preferred inspection pattern.

Like all BST Pro Mark® web inspection systems, basic functions are easier to use and commands are executed in fewer steps than competitive systems – one of the many important factors that contribute to the higher level of productivity and results delivered by BST Pro Mark® web inspection systems. The On Screen Display is used to quickly define system and operator preferences and to select from any of the nine languages available.

POWERscope® 3000 is available with both manual and motorized camera movement. The manual system has the operator controls located on the camera box while the motorized system has the controls on the chassis.

Quality and reliability are built into every component and every detail -- all metal camera box and chassis, industrial grade microprocessors, surface mount PCB’s, integral static and RFD protection, internal surge surpression and shielded cables. POWERscope® 3000 even has external LED indicators to help diagnose and trouble shoot problems.

Request detailed product information.

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HandyScan® 2000

Good things come in small packages, and this narrow web video inspection system is no exception. Only 4"x7"x10-1/2", its compact camera box puts powerful inspection capabilities right where you need them on label, folding carton, business forms, and even flexible packaging presses. Proprietary camera technology delivers 450 lines of resolution--almost twice that of other single-chip systems--for incredible picture quality, image detail and color fidelity.

• Produces up to 42 times magnification—terrific for inspecting register marks, dot gain, and micro print--and gives press operators a large 3"x4" field of view of the web.
• System is intuitive to learn and use, with one-touch color-coded icons.
• Automatic Constant Scan allows continuous inspection of the entire repeat in machine direction.
• Split Screen allows color comparisons to maintain consistency from roll-to-roll and job-to-job.
• 17" SVGA non-interlaced monitor and metal anti-glare hood come standard.
• Integral surge protection, surface-mount PCBs and Intel® microprocessors are standard on all 2000 series systems.

Request detailed product information.

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Introducing the SUPER HANDYScan 3000, the sixth generation of the best video selling web inspection system ever made.

Like all BST web inspection systems, intuitive operation and fast command execution are staples. Basic functions are easier to learn and to use and commands executed in fewer steps than competitive systems. Field research has documented that BST web inspection systems deliver a higher level of productivity and results than competitive inspection systems.

The SUPER HANDYScan 3000 includes a whole range of “Smart System” functions designed to deliver maximum press-room efficiency and productivity with minimum effort, and has eight unique new features specifically engineered to save time and make on-press quality control easier and more efficient than ever before.

The new SUPER HANDYScan 3000 starts with a simplified control panel and improved icon design.  Color coded icons contribute to greater system productivity by making the system more intutive, allowing commands to be executed faster.

Dynamic Image Update (DIU) is a new "smart system" feature only on BST inspection devices, where the system increases the frequency of images taken automatically whenever certain functions are used.  For example: when zooming in or out on an image, DIU tells the system to take up to ten pictures per second rather than the normal two).  DIU produces image navigation that is more natural, seamless and intuitive for the operator. Positonal Memory allows storage of 3 sets of positions for recall and use at any time.  The system saves the X-Y coordinates, zoom and iris settings and a full screen image for viewing and comparison with live print.
		Instantly see your critical print areas Programmed positions lets you return to any critical area on the web with the touch of one button.

The new Window-In-Window Split screen function allows the split image to be sized horizontally or vertically and allows the inset split sceen image to be moved to any location.  Split screen images are memorizing with one touch. No other inspection system on the market offers such useful start-up and running press quality control tools, which gives the SUPER HANDYScan 3000 a significant advantage over competitive systems.

Auto Constant Scan allows the user to inspect portions or all of the print repeat area with one touch of. The operator can also select the preferred inspection pattern. Market research has shown that visual web inspection systems are most commonly used at minimum and maximum zoom levels, typically looking at either large overall print areas or small areas in great detail.

Combi Scan is another new and unique feature on the SUPER HANDYScan 3000, designed to automate the print inspection process. Combi Scan combines all the desired inspection parameters — programmed positions, Auto Constant Scan routine and split screen positions — into one comprehensive continuous inspection loop. This new feature insures all print is inspected in the most efficient and productive manner.

Quality and reliability are carefully designed into every component and every detail — all metal camera box and chassis, industrial grade microprocessors, surface mount PCB’s, integral static and RFD protection, internal surge surpression and shielded cables.

With the optional second camera or back strobe the strobe the SUPER HANDYScan 3000 becomes a very effective tool for inspecting front, back and front-to-back print in a variety of ways.  The system can be used to view the currently active camera or images of camera #1 and camera #2, side-by-side in a Split Screen display or in an adjustable Picture In Picture mode.  Front-to-Back Register (FTBR) is accomplished by a unique combination of front side camera and back side strobe, to yield remarkably clear and useful images of both sides of the web, even on heavy paper substrates.

Request detailed product information.

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NEW PROScan ® 3000
With VIRTUAL REPEAT ® TECHNOLOGY

BST Pro Mark has introduced the PROScan ®  3000  video web inspection system, which encorporates the companies unique Virtual Repeat ® Technology. Virtual Repeat Technology allows the operator to see the entire print repeat in thumbnail images, and to easily and quickly move around the repeat. The technology was pioneered by BST four years ago, and has proven to be one of the most operator friendly and useful functions ever. The new PROScan 3000 is the first BST visual inspection system to incorporate the technology, which has previousely only been availabe on more expensive print process management systems. The PROScan 3000 has as standard, a high-resolution 3-Chip CCD Camera with 3 X 440,000 pixel resolution. The resolution of 3 chip cameras produces the ultimate in picture quality and image detail. This is the first BST Pro Mark video inspection system in North America to use a 3 chip camera as standard. In Europe , 3 chip cameras are the standard by which all others are judged. The system PROScan 3000 has a 4" X 5" or (optional) 7" X 9" field of view. The new product includes many innovative “Smart System“ functions specifically engineered to save time and make on-press quality control easier and more efficient than ever before. These include Quick Zoom, Color-To-Color Comparison, Positional Memory with Position Gallery and Combi-Scan.Split Screen and Auto Constant Scan (ACS) are also standard. Quick Zoom allows a user to instantly go to maximum or minimum zoom with the touch of a single icon, thus saving valuable time and improving operator efficiency. Color to Color Comparison (CTC) is used to effortlessly compare on press color from any position on the print with any other area on the print, by providing a simultaneous display of the reference and the live image in split screen mode. The PROScan 3000 has Positional Memory that allows storage of 30 positions, along with the X-Y coordinates on the print repeat, zoom and iris settings and a full screen image for viewing and comparison with live print using the split screen function. A new Position Gallery provides a thumbnail directory of all saved positions in seconds, and greatly simplifies the time to move about the critical memorized print positions. With the optional second camera or back strobe the PROScan 3000 becomes a very effective tool for inspecting front, back and front-to-back print in a variety of ways. Front-to-Back Register (FTBR) is accomplished by combining a front side camera and a back strobe, to yield remarkably clear and useful images of both sides of the web even on heavy paper substrates. The PROScan 3000 is suitable for use on a wide range of web printing presses and web widths – Offset, CI Flexo, In-line Flexo and Rotogravure.       [Return to top]

BST Premius DIGITAL 3 Chip

WORLDS FIRST DIGITAL 3 CHIP INSPECTION & PRINT PROCESS
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
System Provides Eight Technical Advantages Over Competitive Systems

BST International, and it's US subsidiary company, BST Pro Mark, have introduced PREMIUS digital 3 Chip, the worlds first web inspection and print process management system to use a digital 3 chip camera.

The new system is also the worlds first to integrate digital camera technology, a digital interface, 3 chip resolution and a new extra large field-of-view. This unique combination of state-of-the-art technologies allows PREMIUS digital 3 Chip to harness the full power of process management (defect detection, color monitoring, etc.) as never before, while making huge strides in operator functionality and ease of use.

For example: defect detection on the entire repeat can now be performed 4 times faster than before. The amount of material inspected (sampling ratio) is also improved by a factor of 4. Defects are found and corrected far more quickly, resulting in less waste and greater productivity from the press.

PREMIUS digital 3 Chip uses a digital 3 chip camera with 4.2 megapixel resolution, which is more than 300% better than all other systems on the market, including the finest 3 chip analog systems with analog data transfer. To the user this means image quality that is photographic, with crisp detail, sharp contrast and rich vibrant color.

The new camera technology employed has many other benefits. The unique combination of camera and other technologies reproduces colors on the monitor precisely as they are printed on the web. Finally, the new camera technology has a direct impact on process management functions – resulting in defect detection and color monitoring that is more powerful, capable and reliable than ever before; and finds defects other systems do not find.

For example : the high resolution of the camera is ideally suited for identification of extremely fine doctor blade streaks or haze that is all but invisible to the naked eye. The improved resolution detects difficult as well as other more common defects, with greater ease, reliability and accuracy.

Enlargement of the above image illustrates the significantly improved detail and contrast that comes from a digital 3 chip camera. The left image was made using a 3 chip camera with analog data transfer (ADT) used in high end video systems and the right image was made with the digital 3 chip camera with digital data transfer (DDT) used in Premius Digital 3 Chip.

The new camera technology used in PREMIUS digital 3 Chip also features a Dynamic Range – the ability to show light and dark detail at the same time - that is substantially better than any system made. This allows sharp contrast along the entire color spectrum, and in particular at the high and low ends where it is most useful to a printer, resulting in superior, more reliable print defect detection.

For example: the system is more effective at seeing variations and detecting defects or color changes in areas of very low contrast, such as red overprint on a black background, or white print on a clear film substrate.

Automatic color monitoring too, is greatly improved by the use of the new camera technology. With three times as many pixels to manage color, PREMIUS digital 3 Chip will sense far more subtle color differences and gradiations (vignettes) than any system on the market.

Enlargements of images captured using these cameras test patters illustrate the superior performance of a 3 chip digital camera. The left image is from an analog 3 chip camera with analog data transfer and the right image is from the Premius Digital 3 Chip camera with digital data transfer (DDT).

A common and troublesome problem with analog defect detection systems is the loss of data that occurs during image capture and processing. But because PREMIUS digital 3 Chip uses Digital Data Transfer (DDT) technology, zero information is lost during image capture and processing. The data stream is pure, resulting in greater accuracy and reliability for all process management functions such as defect detection, color monitoring, bar code verificaiton or register pre-setting.

PREMIUS digital 3 Chip also offers a dramatic improvement in functionality for the operator. A new 330mm X 440mm (17 ½ " X 13") "extra large" field-of-view is now offered as an option. This is a 42% improvement over the largest field of view previousely offered and four times larger than the standard field of view for the competition. A new Electronic Loupe provides 32 times magnification for viewing details.

Because PREMIUS digital 3 Chip uses such a high resolution digital camera, 30"- 40 " flat screen displays can now be effectively used for viewing purposes. For the first time ever, print from the web can be displayed to the operator at full size and with sufficient resolution to see detail and color just as they would with the naked eye. This is expected to have an enormous impact in the press room as operators will for the first time ever, be able to look at the printed web at full size without having to stop the press.

Better Technology Means Better Results Let Us Show You Precisely How PREMIUS digital 3 Chip outperforms and is technologically superior to all competitive systems in eight important ways. Use this link (rquest a sales call) to ask your local BST Pro Mark sales person to visit you and explain the differences in detail.

Effective Print Process Control and Improved Print Quality, In Real Time Premius Digital 3 Chip is a print management system that begins with full visual inspection capabilities.  Using our unique Virtual Repeat™ Technology, the operator is able to see and easily navigate about the entire print repeat at the touch of a button.

There are significant benefits from having a powerful visual inspection capability on your press.  Because the press operator can clearly see images of the print, in real time and magnified up to twenty times -- they can control and reduce streaking, hickeys, voids, chalking, halation, moiré and fill-in very effectively.  Corrective action can be made in real time at full press speed.  The net result is a reduction in overall press waste and in improvement in overall press quality, with little additional effort.

An Expandable Platform That Can Grow As You Grow
Premius Digital 3 Chip is by design an expandable platform that can grow with your business.  As your needs change, so can your print management system.  Add Defect Detection, Color Monitoring, Bar Code Verification, Register Pre-Setting, Reporting or Front-To-Back Image Overlay as the need arises.  You invest in technology customized to your specific needs and that will be functional for a long, long time.

“Smart” Visual Capabilities
Premius Digital 3 Chip has a comprehensive standard package of “smart” visual inspection capabilities that make it easier for your operators to manage print quality on press in real time:

• Auto Constant Scan (ACS) • Automatic Image Centering • Quick Zoom • Two Touch Camera Navigation • Positional Memory • Split Screen • Job Save

Combine this with a unique graphic interface that can be learned in a snap and you have an extremely intuitive and equally powerful press room tool that will impact the bottom line on every job.

Premius Digital 3 Chip will allow you to achieve all the benefits of both visual inspection technology and advanced print process management, allowing you to use your press to its optimal productive value on every job, every day.

Download application stories on Premius Digital 3 Chip

Following are summaries of the optional software modules available:

Color Monitoring Increase print color consistency by monitoring real time color against a preset standard, with user defined tolerances, alarm values and color space selection. Package includes color space data in: CIELab, CIELab f¢E, HSI, and RGB. This is proven color technology. We pioneered on press color monitoring in 1996 and have over 1,000 installations world wide.  In 2004, independent tests were undertaken to study the correlation of color results between Premius Digital 3 Chip and a spectrodensitometer. The results, presented at the FTA Forum, found almost a perfect correlation between color data from a spectrodensitometer and the Premius Digital system.  No other system in the world has had it’s color effectiveness measured and confirmed as effective by an independent study such as this. Click here to request a copy of the full study.
Bar Code Monitoring Identify print problems with bar codes on the fly and allow press operators to correct them immediately. This program monitors the quality of printed bar codes (UPC, UPC-A, EAN, I2 Of 5) printed in either ladder or picket fence orientation. An on-screen display reports the quality reading and the acceptability of the code. When problems are found, an alarm alerts the operator and displays the problem area, allowing isolation and correction of problems with bar codes before they contaminate the run! The previous 100 inspection results are graphically displayed in a real time histogram.
Automatic Defect Detection Premius Digital 3 Chip system performs high resolution defect detection over the entire repeat area, automatically. The use of digital images and digital signal transmission technology results in a system insensitive to electronic noise and ambient light. Premius Digital 3 Chip utilizes powerful algorithms which allow it to automatically detect a variety of common print defects such as streaks, hickeys, voids, spots, haze, mis-register, missing type and fill-in. Powerful defect management software allows you to determine if and when a particular defect should be flagged or defined as acceptable; or to select certain areas of the job for more or less comprehensive inspection. Highly advanced algorithms compensate for stretch, skewing, stretch and snap-back common with extensible films. Advanced Image-Lock with Global positioning lock guarantees a steady image, automatically stabilizes any possible image-offset on the screen and deploys a Trigger-Tracking facility to automatically correct image drifting caused by web tension variation.
Register Pre-Setting For Flexo CI Presses One of the most effective ways to improve productivity of a Flexographic Central impression press is to reduce the time in make-ready. By incorporating this remarkable technology, the process of bringing a new job into correct registration can be accomplished in less than half a minute. A research study done in conjunction with the Flexographic Technical Association and presented at their Forum 2002, determined that the average converter using this technology saves three minutes and 1100 feet of material, per job. They also gained 8 minutes of billable time, per job. Request a copy of the full study The time savings produced by the register control system can be expected to translate directly into additional productive hours. Because make-ready will now be accomplished in substantially less time, you will be able to produce more product on this press, resulting in greater overall productivity and throughput. Utilizing this new technology will enable you to bring jobs into register more quickly. As a result, your total cost to produce each job will decrease and your gross profit margin per job will increase.
Job and Roll Reporting Generating comprehensive reports on the quality of print from a press is easy. Our new reporting function automatically generates job and roll reports, provides a comprehensive statistical analysis of the job and a detailed statistical and informational analysis of each roll that comprised the job. For example: the bar code section of the report provides the grade distribution and shows the average grade produced, the amount of material that did not meet the defined quality parameters, and the user settings. Following the overall job report are individual reports for each roll that made up the job. The roll reports contain much greater detail on quality parameters and on every specific ?gevent?h that occurred as the job was produced. Job and roll reporting can be an important part of a TQM system and can be actively used to evaluate overall quality performance and define areas for improvement.

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