Digital braille printing UK first

Packaging group Chester Medical Solutions has installed the first digital carton printer for braille in the UK

The £150,000 investment allows the printing of braille dots onto a carton without the need for braille tooling. This makes it suitable for short runs and digitally printed cartons.

The system uses a polymer drop on demand nozzle to apply the braille, which is then UV cured. 

After application, a vision verification system checks each carton for dot presence, height and circumference and translates the braille into human readable text for operators to check.

Transit trials carried out by Smithers Pira have confirmed the robustness of the braille.

The braille font used is Marburg Medium, which is recommended by relevant European and North American standards for pharmaceutical packaging.

The new digital braille printer has been installed in Chester Medical’s PS9000 certified digital production suite at its carton and leaflet manufacturing facility in Deeside, Flintshire.

David Patterson, Chester Medical’s managing director, said: “This major innovation places us at the forefront of digital carton manufacture for pharmaceutical applications.

“It provides the final link in the production chain and further enhances our ability to offer a fast response and flexible service in the creation of packs that meet all international standards.”