In today’s UV printing market, vision positioning systems come in all shapes and forms. Choosing the right system can be confusing, especially with so many options available. In this article, we’ll walk you through the different types of UV printer vision positioning systems—using our own AI vision technology as an example—to help you understand the key differences and make an informed decision.

1. Linear Scanning Vision System (Standard Configuration)

How it works:

This system uses a stitched camera setup that acts like a large flatbed scanner. The camera is typically mounted under or behind the printer’s gantry. During printing, the gantry moves along the Y-axis, enabling the camera to detect the contours of randomly placed items on the print platform. This allows for accurate product positioning.

Advantages:

• Fast product scanning speed
• High software compatibility
• Stable and reliable performance
• Supports all printer models due to camera stitching

Disadvantages:

• If retrofitted, it reduces the printable area (up to ~20 cm loss in length)
• May not be ideal for space-constrained printing platforms

2. Camera-on-Printhead Vision System

How it works:

In this setup, the camera is mounted directly on the printhead. The scanning width is determined by the camera size—ours measures up to 25 cm wide (compared to 7–10 cm for other brands). The camera scans in a single direction as the printhead moves.

Advantages:

• High precision scanning (suitable for applications with a margin of error under 0.03 mm)
• Does not sacrifice the original print area
• Ideal for medium to large flatbed printers

Disadvantages:

• Slower scanning speed
• Slightly higher cost compared to linear systems

3. Real-Time Vision Scanning During Printing (Third Generation System)

How it works:

This advanced system allows scanning and printing to happen simultaneously. Commonly used in conveyor belt or inline UV printers, the printhead continuously steps along the Y-axis while the vision system remains in a fixed position, scanning and transmitting data in real-time.

Advantages:

• Eliminates scanning downtime, improving efficiency
• 3x faster than flatbed printers with the same printhead configuration
• Excellent for high-volume and continuous production lines
• Supports future upgrades and productivity solutions

Disadvantages:

• Typically requires a more complex setup
• Best suited for specific production environments like belt systems