Andernach 25 feb 2026 - Masa is setting new standards in concrete block and paver production with its optical quality control system. The report published in CPi 01/2026 shows how Masa has achieved a new level of process-oriented and intelligently networked quality monitoring through complete integration into the plant control system.

Optical quality control is a central component of the vision of data-driven concrete block and paver production. Masa combines high-precision sensor technology, intelligent software and in-depth system integration to create a quality solution that offers decisive advantages in terms of efficiency, transparency and production reliability.

High-precision sensor technology and inline measurement technology

Installed directly behind the production machine on the wet side, the system performs contactless real-time measurements on freshly manufactured concrete products inline – without interrupting the production flow. Among other things, the following are recorded:

• Height measurement with ±0.5 mm accuracy (product height 25–500 mm)
• Surface defects from a size of approx. 1 mm²
• Cracks from a width of approx. 0.5 mm
• Lifted areas on the surface and edge breakouts
• Smooth inclusions
• Colour defects

The complete height profile of the products is displayed graphically – colour-coded according to tolerances.

In conjunction with an optional weighing device, the system can also calculate the average raw density of a product layer.

Full integration into the Masa plant control system

The optical quality control system is fully integrated into the Masa plant control system*. Operators receive:

• Access to all measurement data at the control station (or at a separate control panel, depending on the plant configuration)
• Immediate response options without detours
• Consistent and intuitive operating logic across all process steps

‘We understand quality control not as an external add-on module, but as an integral part of our overall plant.’

Masa Board ID instead of RFID – smart data management for production

Each production board is assigned an automatically generated digital board ID, to which quality and process data are digitally linked. At Masa, data transfer between the various processing stations in the production plant is realised using so-called data telegrams in combination with the board ID. Additional hardware such as RFID chips is not required.

Intelligent process assistance and higher production reliability

Optical quality control not only supports fault detection, but also offers additional tools (some of which are available as options) for the efficient handling of quality deviations:

• Configurable auto-stop function for the block & paver production machine
• Targeted error responses, e.g. automatic tilting of defective products or digital marking of second-choice products for further process steps
• Chamber preview and lowerator preview: real-time visualisation of the quality status in the curing chamber and lowerator
• Optimised quality control on the dry side: A separate QA monitor displays products marked as defective

Data sovereignty and support

All data is stored on-premise at the customer's site – a key advantage in terms of security and data protection. Technical support is provided by experienced specialists in Germany who are available worldwide.

Conclusion

Masa Optical Quality Control is much more than a measuring system; it is an integrated quality and process management tool. The detailed description in CPi 01/2026 underlines this claim.

Read the CPi report here.

* On new Masa plants. Integration is generally possible in existing Masa plants, but requires prior technical checking and, if necessary, a control upgrade at extra cost.