Bobst, one of the world’s leading suppliers of equipment and services to packaging and label manufacturers in the folding carton, corrugated board and flexible materials industries, is celebrating after its innovative digital inspection table was named winner in the Best Inspection System category at the 2019 European Digital Press Association (EDP) Awards.

Now in its 13th year, the EDP Awards honor the best technological developments in the digital print world, with judging criteria including achievement, quality and costs. On 15 May, Bobst was presented with its award at a ceremony held at the Messe Munich during FESPA Global Print Expo 2019.

Raphaël Indermühle, head of sales and marketing business unit services at Bobst, said it was a fantastic honor to have picked up the accolade. “Our pioneering digital inspection table is a novel technology designed to drive productivity and virtually remove print production errors,” said Indermühle. “To receive the endorsement of the EDP Association at this most prestigious annual awards ceremony is incredibly gratifying and testament to the hard work of everyone involved in its development.”

Launched at the company’s Competence 18 event in Switzerland last year, the digital inspection table incorporates digital projection for the proofing of printed sheets and die-cut blanks, whilst providing real-time visual representations to match product with digital proofs. It uses HD projectors to illuminate the product sample with quality control imaging, enabling the operator to easily see if quality standards are matched or compromised. The results are summarized in a digital report that easily can be shared and distributed, also with the brand owners.

In addition, the layout file can also be projected on to the sheet so that print registration can be checked and adjusted, removing the need for overlays and print minis and moving the process from paper to digital.

“The digital inspection table is at the leading-edge of quality control technology and demonstrates Bobst’s commitment to digital innovation and services for our customers,” said Indermühle. “The digital inspection table drives efficiency along customers’ entire production lines and delivers outstanding final product quality, whilst increasing productivity and enhancing operator skills.

“We are delighted that the digital inspection table has been so well received by our customers, and that the EDP Association has seen fit to bestow this honor on our game-changing technology.”