AVT and Mark Andy integrate closed-loop register control for label converters

The pressure on label and packaging converters to minimize startup waste and reduce operator intervention has driven a new technical and commercial alliance between print inspection specialist AVT and press manufacturer Mark Andy. The partnership, set to debut its first joint solutions at LOUPE Americas in Chicago this September, integrates AVT’s inspection and data intelligence directly into Mark Andy’s press engineering.

Targeting the core of production waste

At the center of this collaboration are two specific innovations: a new closed-loop register control solution and business intelligence (BI)-powered production analytics embedded within the Mark Andy ProWorx ecosystem. By aligning their research and development roadmaps, the companies aim to tackle two of the most persistent bottlenecks on the production floor: in-run process control and startup waste.

In the current manufacturing landscape of 2026, converters are navigating a complex matrix of shorter run lengths, tighter margins, and a persistent shortage of skilled press operators. Manual register adjustments not only consume valuable press time but also generate significant substrate waste before a single salable label is printed. A closed-loop system addresses this by allowing the press and the inspection camera to communicate continuously, automatically correcting registration drift on the fly without requiring the operator to stop or slow down the equipment.

Data-driven decision making on the press floor

Beyond mechanical automation, the alliance introduces BI-powered production intelligence into MA ProWorx. This integration transforms raw inspection data into actionable insights for plant managers. Instead of merely flagging defects, the system aggregates performance metrics across shifts, substrates, and specific jobs, enabling converters to identify underlying inefficiencies in their workflows.

Guy Yogev, VP of Marketing & Product at AVT, noted that combining decades of expertise allows both firms to deliver capabilities faster than they could independently. "By aligning our roadmaps and combining Mark Andy's press engineering with AVT's inspection and data intelligence, we can deliver capabilities that neither company could develop alone," Yogev stated.

AI integration streamlines the rewinder bottleneck

Alongside the joint developments with Mark Andy, AVT is also rolling out AutoEdit AI to the wider label market. This post-inspection defect classification module, available on a subscription basis for Helios 100 percent print inspection systems, targets the critical bottleneck that occurs after the initial defect detection.

Traditionally, operators must manually review the virtual roll and classify each logged defect to determine if it requires removal at the rewinder. AutoEdit AI automates this by categorizing every detected anomaly into three streams: salable, non-salable, or requiring final review. Trained centrally across production data from multiple converters and end-market quality standards, the system logs every classification to meet strict audit requirements for the pharmaceutical, food, and healthcare sectors.

Benjamin Luly, product manager at Mark Andy, emphasized the practical necessity of these advancements. "Converters are under real pressure to do more with less: less waste, less operator intervention, less time between jobs," Luly explained, positioning AVT as a critical partner for automation.

The integration of inspection data directly into press controls represents a mature step toward true autonomous printing, moving beyond mere detection to active, real-time correction. Will the seamless communication between inspection systems and press hardware finally make the fully autonomous label press a standard reality before the end of the decade? Follow The Paper for daily news, market signals and key updates from the global paper, corrugated and packaging industry. — Sigue toda la actualidad del sector en www.thepaper.ai