Distributed Automated Printing Data Station

This project consisted of the design and implementation of a new distributed system for controlling an automated system for fast printing of consumer item packaging on a factory production line. The user control station was connected via network links to a minimum of four print stations, each of which was responsible for printing of a single colour. The system was required to print images in each component colour in a pre-defined sequence, synchronising each print head together, and then synchronising with the factory production line system as well.

The throughput rate of the system required the transmission of high-resolution TIFF image data, customised with unique product code information for each individual item to be printed, at speeds up to 70 MB/s.