Turn ordinary scanner images into clear, repeatable dirt-count results. PapEye Dirt Count automatically detects, measures and documents visible dirt specks in pulp, paper and paperboard samples. Analyse complete folders of scanned images, review every detection and export detailed results in minutes.
Manual dirt counting is slow, subjective and difficult to repeat. PapEye Dirt Count transforms scanned samples into objective measurement data that is easy to review, compare and report.
Simply scan your samples, select the folder and analysis area, and start the measurement. PapEye automatically finds contrasting dirt specks, measures each detection and combines the results from all images into one clear analysis.
PapEye Dirt Count is a standalone application for Windows and Linux. Licences are sold as permanent licences for a single PC. A list of recommended scanners is available from Tapio Measurement Technologies.
Use a scanner to scan the pulp, paper or paperboard samples at a minimum resolution of 600 DPI. Multiple images can be used to obtain a representative total sample area.
Select the folder containing the scanned images and define the area to be measured. PapEye can process either single images or all images as one batch, saving time.
Inspect the detected dirt specks using close-up thumbnails and measured outlines. Include or exclude individual detections when necessary, then view or export the detailed results and summary statistics.
The software is a standalone executable and licenses are sold as a permanent license for a single PC. List of recommended scanners is available from Tapio Measurement Technologies.
| Result | What it measures | Why it matters | Reported as |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dirt count | The number of accepted dirt specks within the analysed sample area | Shows how frequently visible contamination occurs and supports comparisons between samples | Total count and specks per m² |
| Physical dirt area | The actual measured surface area of each accepted dirt speck | Distinguishes samples containing many small specks from those containing fewer, larger defects | mm² per speck, total mm² and mm²/m² |
| Equivalent Black Area | The visual impact of a speck based on its size and contrast against the paper background | Helps distinguish highly visible dark defects from lighter specks of the same physical size | EBA per speck and total EBA |
| Size distribution | How detected dirt specks are distributed across different measured sizes | Reveals whether changes are caused mainly by small particles or more significant large defects | Histogram and detailed result list |
| Visual verification | Close-up thumbnails and measured outlines for every detected dirt speck | Allows the operator to verify detections and exclude folds, fibres or other unwanted findings | Reviewed list with thumbnails |
A minimum scan resolution of 600 DPI is recommended. Analyse a sufficiently large total sample area to obtain a representative number of dirt detections.
PapEye Dirt Count detects visible dirt specks and reports their physical area and Equivalent Black Area. It also calculates dirt counts, totals, densities, size distributions and summary statistics for the complete sample set.
Assuming that dirts are distributed randomly, if N dirts are scanned, the uncertainty in the analysis will be ±sqrt(N). This means that a hundred dirt specks are needed to achieve an uncertainty of ±10%. This statistical principle also sets the requirements for the minimum feasible surface area for the analysis to achieve low relative uncertainty.
If the dirt level is low, a larger scanned area is required to achieve sufficient statistical accuracy. This can be done by cutting multiple sheets and scanning them and using the folder analysis features in PapEye Dirt Count.
Yes. Dirt specks can be excluded and included from the analysis built-in selection tools. Users can easily go through the list to classify dirts based on the visible close-up image of the dirt, the dirt area, or other properties.
Detection is based on colour contrast relative to the paper background. As with all dirt counting methods, non-dirt defects such as dust, fibres, or creases may occasionally be detected. The selection and cropping tools allow the user to quickly exclude such areas from the analysis.
Equivalent Black Area, or EBA, describes the visual impact of a dirt speck by considering both its size and darkness. A lighter speck therefore has a smaller EBA than an equally sized black speck.
The resolution requirement depends on the size of dirts to be resolved. A resolution of 600 DPI is required for reliable dirt detection. Lower resolutions reduce the minimum detectable speck size and may lead to underestimation of small defects.
The algorithm has been developed in-house and does not directly correspond to a specific TAPPI or ISO dirt counting standard. It is intended for internal quality control, trend monitoring, and comparative analysis using consistent sampling and imaging conditions. When the same scanning setup and settings are used, results are highly repeatable and suitable for routine laboratory use.
See how PapEye Dirt Count can make dirt-speck analysis faster, clearer and easier to repeat. Contact us for a demonstration, sample analysis or quotation.