ISRA BankStar for Thread Inspection

German-based ISRA Vision’s BankSTAR family of in-line inspection solution has been extended by a version for security thread microslitting – BankSTAR TS.

The BankSTAR TS sits behind the slitting knives and offers improved security thread inspection in the paper machine, inspecting all or any number of threads, checking both slitting position and décor, with a special image processing algorithm checking each thread separately.

As well as position and measurement of thread width, it checks for flaws in the threads, such as dislocation of text, spots and other defects, as well as thread elongation, contamination or gaps in the UV coating.

As such, says the company, BankSTAR give banknote paper mills cost-saving advantages and real-time transparency on thread quality.

ISRA Vision has been providing inspection solutions for 25 years. Its BankSTAR portfolio includes modules for security substrates (paper and polymer) which control the ejection of defective sheets, check security features in real time, inspect the paper during its formation in the wet section and/or ensure that foils (with or without holograms) are free of defects.

It also has a suite of options specifically for security features covering foils, the quality of microtext and colour shift effects, embossing lacquers and demetallisation, as well as the core BankSTAR system for production. This inspects for problems such as streaks, chafing, missing print, dirt, splatter, over- or under-inking and colour variations during printing.

BankSTAR inspection systems and their associated software are used by over 30 ‘Tier 1’ banknote paper mills and a dozen or so hologram / DOVID manufacturers, as well as commercial and state security printers.