System and method for tracing a product item

A system for tracing a product item on a production line comprising a control unit and a timestamp counter,

• wherein the control unit is configured to receive a real-time product signal related to the product item from peripheral devices,
• wherein the control unit is further configured to carry out the following method steps:
• receiving a plurality of real-time product signals each relating to a product item and a peripheral device,
• generating a plurality of event signals, wherein each event signal is based on one of the real-time product signals,
• arranging the event signals in a sequence corresponding to an order in which the real-time product signals were received, and
• associating a timestamp generated by the timestamp counter with the sequence,
• wherein the peripheral devices comprise at least one sensor to recognize a product item for the timestamp counter to generate the timestamp for the sequence of the product item, and
• a print head configured to print a digital stamp on the product item, the digital stamp reflecting the product item and the timestamp associated with the sequence of the product item.

A method of tracing a product item on a production line, comprising the steps of receiving a plurality of real-time product signals each relating to one of a plurality of product items and one of peripheral devices comprising at least one sensor and a print head,

• generating a timestamp,
• generating a plurality of event signals, wherein each event signal is based on one of the real-time product signals,
• arranging the event signals in a sequence corresponding to an order in which the real-time product signals were received,
• associating the timestamp with the sequence, and
• printing by the print head a digital stamp on the product item, the digital stamp reflecting the product item and the timestamp associated with the sequence of the product item,
• wherein generating the timestamp for the sequence of the product item is triggered by the at least one sensor recognizing the product item.