Measuring system and method for calibrating printing stations

An apparatus comprising a measurement system for making measurements at a printing station that includes a print head that is adjustably held at a position at said printing station, said measurement system comprising a measurement device, a calculation unit, and an interface, wherein said measurement device is configured to detect measurement information relating to a position-modifiable component of said printing station during movement thereof, wherein said calculation unit is configured to receive said measurement information from said measurement device, wherein said calculation unit is further configured to determine actual-position data of said position-modifiable component from said measurement data received and to compare said actual-position data with predetermined reference-position data, and to determine calibration information based on said actual-position data and said reference-position data, and wherein said interface permits transfer of said calibration information.

A method comprising calibrating a printing station, wherein calibrating said printing station comprises moving a position-modifiable component of said printing station, while moving said component, measuring at least one of position and orientation of said component, thereby generating measurement information, receiving said measurement information, determining actual-position data from said measurement information, determining calibration information from said actual-position data and predetermined reference-position data, and calibrating said print head based on said calibration information.