The upgrade can cut 20 minutes per shift from 100% on-press inspection of die-cut labels, which Surfscan said could add up to serious money for its clients.

Surfscan has now incorporated fork sensors in equipment used for this application, which can be used for the inspection of cartons and printed boxes.

The company has flagged that it plans to reveal major developments in the third quarter of 2008.

Surfscan's Damian Harvey said: "You need to be careful when using a fork sensor to detect the edge of a part that is then cut off to ensure it does not hit the lens of the fork sensor.

"These lenses are made from tough plastic, but they are no match for a sharp burr on a metal part. One way to protect the lens is to install a ramp inside the fork sensor to divert the part away from the lens. But we take care of all that for the customer."