Method and device for detecting ink leakage in an inkjet printing machine

A method for detecting ink leakage during a printing process in an inkjet printing machine, the method comprising the following steps:

• providing a computer executing a workflow system for controlling a print job;
• providing an ink supply for the printing machine, the ink supply including an ink reservoir with an ink level sensor and a control unit executing software for controlling the ink supply;
• providing print heads for the printing machine capable of creating ink drops of different sizes;
• calculating a theoretical amount of ink to be consumed by adding up drop volumes based on prepress print data by using the workflow system;
• transmitting the theoretical amount of ink to be consumed to the software for controlling the ink supply by using the workflow system;
• detecting an actual amount of ink having been consumed by analysis of the ink level sensor of the ink reservoir;
• comparing the theoretical ink consumption to the detected actual amount of ink having been consumed;
• and
• displaying a leakage alert if the actual ink consumption is greater than the theoretical ink consumption.