Felix Schoeller Group, a German manufacturer of high-end papers, has placed a $1.8 million order for the SmartView surface inspection system from Natick, Massachusetts-based Cognex, to be installed before the end of April.

Felix Schoeller specializes in the manufacture of high-end photographic, digital imaging and other specialty papers. It will utilize the SmartView systems to automatically inspect paper for defects such as holes, creases and stains while it is being manufactured. Cognex says its SmartView product can detect and classify defects smaller than a square millimeter in applications at full production speeds, which enables manufacturers to improve product quality and reduce scrap, resulting in increased profitability.