Newspapers vendors converged upon Barcelona, Spain, last month to show off their latest and greatest offerings to the industry. Attendance at the show was up compared to last year’s show in Geneva. Ifra reported attendance of about 8,000.

ABB Schweiz used the title Industrial IT to present its comprehensive solutions for the entire newspaper production chain, covering page planning up to distribution. The solutions include several new developments to ABB’s systems for newspaper production in publishing and printing houses. The range of systems includes: MPS Cockpit, a management system for the planning, tracking and cost control for all products of a newspaper publisher, taking account of all involved processes; MPS InsertManager, which supports the sale, planning, production, storage and target-orientated distribution of newspaper inserts; MPS PageManager, page planning for the contents retrieved from editorial and advertisement systems including their positioning and page make-up in accordance with newspaper structures and page properties provided by the pressroom; MPS Workflow, a digital workflow solution for platemaking; MPS Roll Handling, a logistics and control system for the entire paper roll supply; MPS Production, production management for newspaper printing presses; MPS Inform, an information system in newspaper printing; MPS Control Console, a control desk for newspaper presses plus simulator and color management as an option; MPS Press Control and MPS Drive, the integrated control and drive system suitable for shaftless newspaper presses.

http://www.abb.com/printing

This is the first IfraExpo following Agfa’s acquisition of Autologic Information International to form Autologic, an Agfa Co. The company presented the first results of the integration of Agfa and Autologic products for newspapers, including new generations of both computer-to-plate and workflow solutions. In workflow, Agfa demonstrated the first phase of integration of the Autologic Plateroom Manager and Agfa IntelliNet solutions, including complete PDF workflows from pagination to CTP, integrated imposition and Web access for softproofs, status tracking and management control.

As for plate production, Agfa presented new ways to meet customer requirements in platesetting (Polaris), screening (Sublima), plate technology (silver and photopolymer solutions; “green” and violet solutions), plate processing (new processor, new processing chemistry solutions for photopolymer and silver), the Agfa closed loop concept and waste reduction. In the visible light offering, violet technology was the dominant solution. Visitors also saw the latest in engines (Sherpa), materials and software (QMS2.0) for newspaper proofing. Services for newspaper customers included a technical assistance center, consulting (IntelliTune, ColorTune, Screening), service programs and quality improvement programs.

http://www.agfa.com

The focus of this year’s presentation, besides integration of in-house publishing processes, was on the networking or integration of the publishing house business processes with those of its customers and partners (therefore stronger ties between publishing house and customer).

Shown this year was alfa Media Partner GmbH’s alfa-NewsSuite, described by alfa as its greatly expanded, highly integrated solution for the editorial area, and alfa-AdSuite for the advertising area. According to alfa, the latter has been enhanced by the further developed alfa-AdCounter inline ad-taking solution. The company said this reduces the advertising department’s workload, minimizes time spent on ad recording and design, in addition to providing the opportunity to increase customer loyalty, advertising revenues and profits by new service offers. With alfa-MediaStore, customized archive workflows and asset management will be shown. Besides tailored information technology and integration service offers, visitors also had the chance to find out more about already realized system integrations of Linopress editorial and advertising solutions with alfa modules.

http://www.alfa.de

Anygraaf USA Inc. presented three products: The Doris Messaging Server provides common interface to various types of messaging systems: e-mail, SMS, MMS and network messaging. The system allows messaging not only between people but also messaging to objects (articles, pages, documents) as well as to processes. Messaging Server also enables system monitoring and control.

The Doris product family has been extended with a reporting tool, Doris Reporting, which provides various types of statistical information and reports, including: production schedule statistics, statistics about how editorial content is covering geographical areas, department specific editorial volumes, reports for ad make-up time per advertiser. This tool provides mechanisms to tune up deadlines and to reorganize production. Doris now supports Adobe InDesign 2.0 with a wide range of editorial functions and a fast interface to editorial material. The Plug-In also can be used for ad material production. It enhances the internal functions of InDesign both for newspaper and magazine use. Other Doris products on display were: ad system AProfit, Doris32 editorial and Planner page planning system, IProfit for selling images, CProfit distribution system, Ad Manager, GSM Distribution Control, Proofer, Workshift List and Table Editor.

http://www.anygraaf.com

Baldwin Technology Co. Inc. featured newspaper grade products, systems and services that the company said deliver a new standard of process and financial performance.

Newspapers around the world use Baldwin products to produce color, reduce unscheduled pressroom downtime and maintenance, reduce paper waste, improve manpower efficiency and minimize the use of solvents and volatile organic compounds in the printing process.

Products featured for single, and double-wide newspaper presses include Impact automated blanket cleaning systems, which the company says reduce make-ready times, eliminate solvent handling and minimize VOCs. Impact uses Prepac, Baldwin’s cleaning cartridge, which the company said is an environmentally friendly cleaning agent. LithoSpray is described by Baldwin as a precise spray dampening system featuring a patented nozzle and advanced control system, which applies the minimum amount of water necessary to uniformly dampen the printing plate. A short reaction time means the required dampening level is reached quickly, a dryer web is achieved and start-up waste is reduced.

http://www.baldwintech.com

BasysPrint GmbH manufactures computer-to-conventional-plate systems for the digital exposure of conventional offset plates, from data reception up to the press-ready conventional plate. The company said it offers computer-to-plate technology in connection with low-cost, conventional plate technology.

According to the manufacturer, this system allows up to 50 percent cost savings compared to laser-based CTP technologies. The UV-Setter 57-Z is designed especially for the newspaper printing sector. This automatic system exposes single pages and double-truck plates up to the maximum size of 690 by 940 millimeters. A plate dispenser can accommodate up to 500 plates, the intermediate paper is removed automatically. The company said the UV-Setter 57-Z can be simply integrated into existing work environments; the data is taken over as 1-Bit TIFF (G 4). An optimized interface allows the user to check the exposure unit and processing status. Besides automatic operation, the user has the option also to process plates manually. Depending on the chosen resolution and the area to be exposed, the UV-Setter 57-Z achieves a throughput of up to 120 plates per hour.

http://www.basysprint.de

Baumüller presented Sync-Drive-Technology with Multi-Link-Controller. Baumüller said MLC provides obvious advantages to the printing company: Print sections are commissioned independently while production is running. According to the company, commissioning time can be reduced significantly this way. Individual sections can be uncoupled from the MLC or serviced at any time, even when production is running on the other sections. This independence of individual productions increases the availability enormously. Machines that are fitted with an MLC can be extended quickly and economically.

Currently, the largest possible extension can consist of seven machine sections with 32 drive rings, each with up to 48 drives. This results in a plant with more than 10,000 synchronized drives. The Baudis remote service and diagnostic system makes it possible to monitor the drives and commission the machine quickly. In the program, the drives are selected by mouse click. The data records can be downloaded and tested easily via drag and drop, which simplifies and shortens the commissioning of the drive system.

http://www.baumueller.de

CCI Europe, in partnership with USA Today and Aftenposten in Norway, and in conjunction with a focus group comprising another eight of the world’s leading newspapers, said it is developing a “true” content management platform and integration architecture — CCI NewsGate, which was demonstrated as a prototype at IfraExpo 2002.

The company said CCI NewsGate focuses on optimizing the creation and management processes for content throughout the news publishing life cycle and value chain. According to CCI, the system will create synergies at both the group and individual newsroom level, as the entire publishing process, from story creation to final distribution through multiple channels, is brought together on a single integrated platform. CCI also presented CCI NewsDesk Release 6, which the company describes as a complete editorial solution, designed to streamline the editorial process from story creation to final publication both online and in print.

CCI said the solution is flexible and customized, allowing the system to be tailored to the individual needs of the newspaper. The company said CCI AdDesk is one of the only advertising solutions on the market that has been “born converged.”

http://www.ccieurope.com

Controls Group Inc. produces precision inking systems that the company said have many advantages over mechanical page packs and open fountain systems. Specifically, they have the ability to more precisely control ink flow, which improves the accuracy of ink density and reproduction quality. In addition, Controls Group said their digital injectors save money by reducing startup waste, set-up time, and maintenance costs.

Digital injectors use stepping motors that drive fixed stroke injectors controlled by microcomputers. The company said this enables its digital injector to achieve 0.1 percent key setting accuracy. Controls Group added that the ability of its digital system to independently silence each printing zone means it provides a true “zero” or no ink setting, plus the benefit of reduction in fountain wear. Regardless of the type of press you are operating, the company has experience in converting and installing both open fountain and pump and rail presses. Controls Group offers six- and eight-column digital injectors with either single- or double-stroke pistons. Narrow web and double-width web kits are available. The company also manufactures an ink and water setting console.

http://www.controlsgroupinc.com

Creo Europe SA demonstrated the 200-plates per hour Trendsetter News 200 platesetter for computer-to-plate imaging. Four models of the Trendsetter News platesetter deliver thermal imaging, automatic plate loading and unloading and a flexible, standard file-format interface to typical newspaper production systems.

The company said the machine-to-machine accuracy of the Squarespot thermal imaging heads, combined with the binary nature of thermal newspaper plates, achieves consistent and repeatable halftone dot structures. Creo also demonstrated the new iQsmart professional color scanner. The company said that with a large 305-by-457.2-millimeter scanning bed, the iQsmart scans up to 96, 35-millimeter slides at one time and generates up to 40 scans per hour. According to Creo, any size original can be scanned at a true optical resolution of up to 5500 dpi from edge to edge. The company said the oXygen scanning application ensures the scanners are easy to use and produce the maximum in imaging flexibility.

http://www.creo.com

Dauphin Graphic Machines Inc. manufactures web offset printing machinery. Included in DGM’s full-line of presses are the DGM-430, 440, 440S, 850, and 870 printing units; complemented by the DGM-1030, 1035, 1240, 1050, 1255 and DGM 2:3:3 folders. DGM displayed the DGM-440S unit shaftless press.

http://www.dauphingraphic.com

Day International GmbH showed its dayGraphica 8897 blanket has been developed for use on high-speed multi-color, offset news presses. Improved stability ensures this blanket gives optimum performance on blanket-to-blanket and satellite presses. Solvent and water resistant fabrics reduce swelling and register problems. The new dayGraphica 8897 uses tubular blanket technology and has been developed for use on Heidelberg Mainstream newspaper presses. Due to the compounds within the surface of the blanket, the result is cleaner running at lower temperatures enhancing print quality. Day will also be exhibiting the dayGraphica RM 70 Micro-gap blanket designed for optimum performance on the RegioMAN press from MAN Roland.

http://www.dayintl.com

Digital Technology International demonstrated its NewsSpeed publishing system which incorporates Adobe InDesign and Adobe InCopy into a multi-user database-centered solution. DTI’s products include solutions for page design, planning and budgeting, text editing, image management, complete pagination, Internet publishing, archiving and full page output to negative or computer-to-plate.

http://www.dtint.com

EAE Ewert Ahrensburg Electronic GmbH has offered solutions for production planning and control at web offset printing operations for 40 years. On show from the Open Press System product family was a range of management systems for control, automation and logistics applications that are designed to ensure integrated production at printing and publishing plants. The products are: Control, a workflow-oriented press control and drive console; Info, a messaging and protocol system for the automatic monitoring of printing presses; RMS, the reel management system for managed paper store. Also featured were MaFlow, transport logistics for managed material flow from the reel basement to the press; Plate, the prepress workflow manager for plate production; Print, the workflow manager press for complete press planning and presetting; Page, a planning tool for page-based production of print media; PPM, the postpress workflow manager for the automated mailroom; and LMS, a modular maintenance system for planning, controlling, evaluating and optimizing maintenance in all areas of the printing plant. Following a successful first installation, the new Visual Intelligent Plant planning and organization system for total production management at printing plants has now been released for the market.

http://www.eae.com

IfraExpo 2002 marked the European newspaper industry’s introduction to Esko-Graphics, the new identity of the company formed by the merger of Purup-Eskofot and Barco Graphics. Esko-Graphics demonstrated Perfection Publisher, a repurposing software.

The company said Perfection Publisher provides the publishing industry with the ability to reconstruct printed books or films and manipulate the contents in digital format. Esko-Graphics expects it to be in demand among printers who need to reconstruct further editions of a book when only supplied with a printed version or film originals. There was also a demonstration of the latest version of EskoNet 2.1, the modular Microsoft Windows 2000-based workflow system for newspapers. The company said this version will be interesting for printers doing newspapers as well as commercial print jobs because more complex impositions can now be automated in EskoNet. Esko-Graphics said this eliminates the hassle of multiple workflows for multiple job types. The company also demonstrated its DMX Platesetter, attached to an on-line Burgess bender and cutter, and Glunz & Jensen processor. Two scanners were in operation: the EskoScan F14 — an A3 color and CopyDot scanner aimed at small and medium-sized operations, and the fast, high-resolution EskoScan 2636S+, described as being capable of scanning up to 26 by 36-inch (two broadsheets) originals.

http://www.esko-graphics.com

Ferag focus at IfraExpo 2002 was the new Ferag inserting concept, the new Domino service package as well as the new MemoStick concept. The inserting concept increases the potential performance and level of added value of the rotary inserting technique. Ferag said the system, which is based on standard components, is in line with the requirements of the inserting market.

MemoStick permits defined customer groups to be addressed and immediate feedback to be obtained. The flexible concept is of interest especially for advertising campaigns and reader surveys, either for purposes of the aimed distribution of advertising vouchers or organizing lottery-type prize games. The Domino concept consists of various service steps (Silver, Gold, Platinum), where the bottom step — the Silver program — mainly provides for carrying out service tasks and production consultancy, and the top concept step, the Platinum program, is designed to cover all operative aspects of the mailroom.

http://www.ferag.com

Following the merger of Geberuder Schmidt Druckfarben and Flint Ink Europe, the company showed its products for the first time under the new name of Flint-Schmidt GmbH & Co. KG. The focus was on activities and measures with which the dynamic processes of change in newspaper production should be accompanied and shaped by innovative problem solutions. In this connection, the company said the Inkbox and Inkpump automatic ink supply systems that are used by leading printing and publishing houses have proved to be of economic and practical assistance.

http://www.flint-schmidt.de

Fuji Photo Film GmbH offers consumables and electronic imaging systems to the newspaper industry. In order to give computer-to-plate users as much freedom of choice as possible, Fujifilm said it does not commit to dedicated device manufacturers but supports production of print-ready plates with systems from various suppliers. As with offset printing plates and films, Fujifilm focuses also with electronic components on open systems and universal support of industry standards JDF, PDF, PostScript, ICC and provides solutions for newspaper production, from image capture (professional digital camera S2 Pro, high-end flatbed scanner Lanovia Quattro) via digital production workflow (Celebrant Extreme) to digital proofing (Fujifilm Color Manager software and Valiano Proof Manager/Black Magic) for output on Pictro Proof as well as on large format inkjet plotters. Staff from the European headquarters in Düsseldorf and representatives of the European Fujifilm distributors were on hand to meet visitors.

http://www.fujifilm.de

Gammerler AG showed for the first time at IfraExpo, the TF 660 single-gripper conveyor system. The company said this paced system is designed to ensure the fast and smear-free transport of newspaper or commercial product. The claimed advantages of the Gammerler TF 660 paced conveyor are the short intervals in the gripper chain as well as low wear and tear. The TF 660 has more grippers on 1-meter conveyor system than comparable systems, which increases the numbers of carried products. In addition, the chain guide channels are manufactured from steel, as opposed to the standard aluminum. As a result, the company said, there is significantly less wear and tear. Connected to the TF 660 single-gripper conveyor system was the Gammerler KL560 Lift Pack News. This compensating stacker is equipped with a practice-oriented delivery route program.

The collecting racks descend together with the product and thus ensure a controlled product drop. The KL560 Lift Pack News is used mainly in the newspaper area. Carrying out stabilizing and stream separation in different locations reduces the contact pressure of the top and bottom belts, thus minimizing both the risk of smearing and susceptibility to faults.

http://www.gammerler.de

Global Web Systems offers a full line of single-width presses for newspaper, semi-commercial and book products. All GWS presses feature vertical web paths and are offered in nine cutoff ranges from 460 millimeter to 630 millimeter, with web widths up to one meter wide. The G-100 printing unit is designed to be compatible with many other brands of presses. They can be configured to meet specific needs with four-high, three-high, two-high, and single-unit assemblies. Printing units are available with remote control ink adjustment, remote register control, motorized ink fountains and dampening systems in spray, brush or sock covered rollers.

High-speed jaw folders will accommodate up to 14 webs and are available with half-fold, quarter-fold, upper former, double parallel, cross perforation and other options. Also available is the G-200, two-around, four-high press. Global Web Systems specializes in providing printers and publishers with customized solutions for adding color and page capacity to many types of other presses.

http://www.globwebsys.com

Goss International offers a range of newspaper press systems and capabilities, including the Colorliner, Uniliner, Uniliner S, Universal and Community product ranges. The Goss Colorliner press system prints at up to 85,000 copies per hour, with three-form digital inking and a 2:5:5 jaw folder. The Uniliner is Goss’ 70,000-copies-per-hour press system focused on the mid-sized newspaper that requires press flexibility.

The Uniliner S is a new 4-by-1 press evolution of the Uniliner press family for straight production applications. The Goss Universal product range covers the single-width newspaper market from 45,000 to 70,000 cph. It features both one-around and two-around versions for coldset and heatset newspaper and commercial printing. The Goss Community is for local newspaper and contract print production, with more than 35,000 units sold. Goss offers new presses, extensions, refurbishments, project management and productivity enhancements. including inker, folder and reelstand upgrades. Support includes press audits, training and parts backed by 24-hour service.

http://www.gossinternational.com

At IfraExpo 2002, Harland Simon, a newspaper automation, integration and control company, demonstrated a number of its software products for workflow and color enhancement. Harland Simon, perhaps best known for press control and automation systems, for the first time at IfraExpo, offered original equipment manufacturers and integrator partner agreements for its ColorWare and Esprit software. ColorWare allows advertising departments, without intimate press knowledge, to see where color can most profitably be sold.

The company said Esprit provides the production planner or pressroom manager with a tool to ensure the press is webbed up in the most efficient manner. Also on show was the Prima production management system. This suite of products provides production managers with tools to optimize production and reduce waste, the company claims. With modules to cover planning, pre-setting, monitoring, analysis, roll tracking, copy counting, plate tracking, proofing, maintenance and reporting, the system has already been implemented at many of the world’s leading newspapers.

http://www.harlandsimon.com

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen manufactures and supports an extensive range of prepress, press and postpress components, software and consumables for all offset printing applications.

The activities of Heidelberg in the newspaper business include the design, manufacture, sales and after-sales service of conventional and gapless web offset presses, as well as mailroom systems. Heidelberg has received major orders in the U.K. and France for the Mainstream, a 1-by-4 newspaper press launched in 2000. The Mainstream features gapless tubular blankets and is capable of printing up to 80,000 cph. Heidelberg asserts the advantages provided by gapless technology can make newspapers more compelling, more competitive and more attractive to readers and advertisers. At IfraExpo, Heidelberg focused on Mainstream installations in the U.K. and France.

www.heidelberg.com

Kodak Polychrome Graphics showed its Newsetter system with the TH180 version of the Newsetter range, which the company says achieves 25 percent productivity improvement over earlier models. With installations worldwide, KPG says it can claim for thermal imaging the same productivity as visible light computer-to-plate, but with the enhanced quality inherent in thermal CTP.

The Newsetter TH180 produces up to 180 plates (Berliner format) per hour and, with a typical two-line configuration, offering productivity of up to 360 plates/hour. More lines can be added. The Newsetter system running at IfraExpo also used the Parascan Workflow, and additional features, including the Kodak Polychrome Graphics News Monitor, an enhanced “remote” diagnostic tool. For commercial applications and regional newspaper production, the new Creo Trendsetter News Platesetter provides the productivity levels appropriate to this section of the industry. It was operated online with the Nela fully automatic PL-T plateloader and the Kodak Polychrome Graphics Mercury News 135 processor. Parascan also showed their new workflow system for fully automated and integrated prepress production at the Kodak stand. Both the Newsetter and Creo systems use the Kodak Polychrome Graphics ThermalNews printing plate.

http://www.kpgraphics.com

“Cutting-edge technology for cost-effective newspaper production,” was KBA’s banner at IfraExpo. Following the recent slide in press sales, KBA said there are signs that domestic and foreign markets are picking up again, with the focus on technological advances to optimize cost structures.

The company said it offers the diversity of single-width, double-width and now triple-width newspaper presses, a choice of printing processes and, reaching beyond pure print, systems to support customized and individually configured workflows. Twenty-two, nine-cylinder satellite towers of the six-wide KBA Commander previewed at IfraExpo in Geneva have been sold in Switzerland. The first 4-by-1 KBA Prisma has now been unveiled and the countdown has started for the market launch of the waterless KBA Cortina mini-tower press at the end of the year.

http://www.kba-print.de

Krause-Biagosch GmbH presented Krause LaserStar LS Jet II featuring major enhancements in relation to available resolutions as well as light sources equipped with a new multi-optics system for violet and green applications. Two versions are offered: for throughputs of 130 pph at 1270 dpi (basic model) and more than 220 pph at 1270 dpi (top model). Features include simplification of the entire plate handling, improved and comprehensive page tracking as well as error diagnostics.

Demonstrated on the stand were a complete communication line, up to punching/bending with bar code control. The LaserStarServer LSS 4.0 production management system has strengthened the workflow significantly. The client-server concept allows an automated, customized organization of plate production. Other aspects are the integration of production schedules and data matching between upstream and downstream systems (e.g. production planning systems and press control system). The TPU News proofing system, including Web client, permits soft proofing and output on production paper. The AutoloaderControlTerminal ACT tracking software allows on-site tracking as well as remote service and online help via modem. Communication, both internally and to outside management systems, has been improved. The further-developed KIM PDF Auto Newspaper editorial tool can be used as an imposition program at PDF level.

http://www.krause.de

MacDermid Printing Solutions and Napp Rollin presented their news together at IfraExpo. Apart from the NapPlate letterpress systems for newspaper and book printing, Napp placed its emphasis on flexographic printing systems. The plate range goes from the traditional NappFlex II (green) plates to the high quality Emerald and Silver plates. The company says the Emerald and Silver plates are designed to achieve better resolutions and — in addition to standard newsprint — to be used on super-calendar or coated stock.

Napp said they are also in the final stage of developing a computer-to-plate laser with an initial capacity of 120 plates per hour. Flexo decisions and increased interests in flexo technology have accelerated this project in Europe and the United States. Rollin is a manufacturer of offset blankets, sleeves and metalback blankets for newspapers. Rollin announced a new type of top surface and fabric. The company said its objectives are to increase the blanket life in press; to reduce the tendency of the blanket to swell; to improve the stability of the blanket on the cylinder and to ensure an optimum printing quality.

http://www.macdermidga.com

MAN Roland focused on substantiating the motto “Networking the Value Chain.” In an open system, ppi Media GmbH, Lufthansa Systems and MAN Roland showed the possibilities of a networked newspaper printing company. Starting with the receipt of an ad order for the end customer, to edition planning, feeding the data into the Pecom electronic and process control system, MAN Roland showed, in cooperation with its partners, the networking of the process up to and including distribution logistics. This completes the circle back to the end customer.

In Barcelona, MAN Roland appeared with Eurografica, its partner company. Successful technological developments like the RegioMAN in 4-by-1 design or the Dicoweb with plateless imaging and de-imaging as the first true digital offset printing system actively producing in the market. Other subjects for MAN Roland were the continuation of PrintCity and a demonstration of Life Cycle Management, with special focus on process optimization and waste reduction.

http://www.man-roland.com

Muller Martini exhibited under the motto: “If timing is crucial ... Muller Martini.” Muller Martini said good timing starts at the design stage. But timing also means consultancy skills, with investigation of specific customer requests and the option of reacting quickly and flexibly, should production requirements change. The company has more than 30 sales and service companies worldwide, each with its own mailroom specialists.

http://www.mullermartini.com

Nela Ternes Register Group GbmH (Brüder Neumeister) presented Nela-VCP 2002, an automatic register punching and edge-bending machine for offset plates equipped with video-controlled plate alignment. Using burned-in register marks, the plates are brought into exact register and subsequently punched and edge-bent.

The VCP features a measuring device that monitors online the quality of plate exposure and development during the punching and edge-bending process. The punched and edge-bent plates are then entered into a plate stacking station. Sorting, e.g. by edition or printing couple, is done by bar code identification. The company said the number of stacker compartments can be increased at will. For this purpose, Nela offers software that allows the production of any desired number of allocation tables. Other software solutions for use in connection with Nela-VCP 2002 are fan-out compensation and register correction, page tracking, online diagnosis and the Service Wizard remote maintenance system. The Nela-VPI-N plate checking device verifies the register repeatability and the precision of register punching on the plates. Plates to be checked can be either only exposed, exposed and punched, or exposed, punched and edge-bent.

http://www.nela.de

ppi Media GmbH presented its production management system that incorporates the entire newspaper production process — from page planning (PlanPag) and ad production (AdMan) via ad page make-up (AdPag), page assembly (ProPag) and printing from production (ProMan) up to the press — into an integrated, highly automated workflow. ppi Media said the program, with interfaces to all standard external prepress, press and mailroom systems, is designed to allow an open and integrated operation. According to the company, rationalization potentials are fully utilized, production times and costs significantly reduced.

Maximum safety and transparency is achieved with GlobalTrack, the browser- and IfraTrack-based tracking system as well as the DataShop data warehouse designed for the special requirements of publishing companies and printing houses. Some 70 publishing houses worldwide, including ones in the United States and India, have gone with this concept during the past 18 years. Under the name PrintNet, ppi Media is developing a production management system especially for printing houses. As a CIM solution, PrintNet is intended to fully integrate and modernize the production processes on a Job Definition Format basis in the printing house. A pilot version was shown at IfraExpo 2002.

http://www.ppi.de

QTI is a manufacturer of auxiliary controls for the web offset printing industry. QTI’s latest innovation is the RGS Vector, which the company said features the fastest register camera technology available. QTI said this speed results in reduced makeready time and waste, and superior process control. Its small mark size is virtually indiscernible and requires less white space. For accurate fold and cut off register, the Ribbon Control System (RCS) 4000 automatically registers ribbons, both circumferentially and laterally, ensuring consistent quality throughout the press run. It has recently been modified to provide dual mark register control for a newspaper application. Both the RGS Vector and RCS reside on the new Icon platform.

According to QTI, this platform offers increased flexibility and efficiency by allowing multiple QTI products to be controlled from one operator control station. The company said this results in reduced training time and quicker job setups. For closed loop color control, QTI said its Color Control System (CCS) controls by midtone dot gain and three-color gray balance in addition to solid ink density.

http://www.qtiworld.com

Saxotech showed the next releases of SaxoPress CMS & Publicus Online Publishing System. SaxoPress R6 includes new features such as: MacOS X and Windows XP clients: SaxoPress provides native support for the latest operating system technologies from Apple and Microsoft. New unified user interface: The user interface unifies and simplifies all editorial functions into one content management workbench. Oracle 9i and use of Oracle interMedia technology:

SaxoPress is provided with a suite of services to develop and deploy print, Web and wireless applications that include rich media. Media neutral formatting system: An XML-based, media-neutral text formatting and page markup system, which the company says makes the stylebook system more flexible and simplifies cross-media publishing. Publicus Web browser client for SaxoPress: Within Publicus, users can access the SaxoPress print production database.

http://www.saxotech.com

Schur Packaging is a supplier of mailroom and postpress technology solutions for newspapers. The company said it has a complete standard product portfolio and extensive competencies in engineering and project management, a platform from which it is capable of delivering complete customized mailroom solutions to the newspaper industry.

Schur’s product program covers: conveying systems with single-copy gripper, storage systems, inserting systems, a complete range of stackers, online bundle addressing systems, packaging lines with film wrapping, side welding and a wide range of cross-strapping machines. Loading bay solutions and a range of palletizing systems also form part of Schur’s product program. The TMS production control system ties all functions together and gives the customer a unique set of production facilities.

http://www.schur.com

Tensor Group Inc. is a U.S. manufacturer of single-width web offset press systems for the commercial, insert and newspaper printing markets worldwide. Printing units are stackable to four-high, at speeds of 45,000 impressions per hour. Jaw folders are designed for high-page-count newspaper applications or precision commercial folding applications at speeds of 50,000 iph.

http://www.ustensor.com

TKS featured its Color Top 7000CD shaftless tower offset printing press with 2:5:5 jaw folder. The press is powered by the Super Drive System (SDS), a couple-to-couple shaftless drive system that increases production capabilities and provides more control of web tension at a maximum printing speed of 85,000 cph. The press’ registration is controlled by Super Register Device, which eliminates the adverse effect of fan-out. The press also incorporates flying plate change, flying page change and flying web change.

TKS previewed, through a video monitor and display panels, its new technology, and also introduced peripheral equipment of its TKS Group companies, such as newly-designed press control system, roll handling system and mail room equipment.

http://www.tks-net.co.jp

Western Lithotech, a Lastra Group Co., manufactures automated plateroom systems for newspapers worldwide. It gave demonstrations of the DiamondSetter 610-S2P CTP Laser Platesetter. Also exhibited were the DiamondPlate 85 Laser Plate Processor and the new DiamondVision Optical Punch Bender - Side Load unit.

http://www.westernlithotech.com

X-Rite showed the new 939 spectrodensitometer as well as latest versions of its 500 Series hand-held spectrodensitometers for prepress and pressroom quality control. The premium 528 and 530 models include a new color match feature, including storage of color recipe information. It also features ColorMail technology for distance data transfer. X-Rite has begun customer shipments of its new ATD News.

According to the company, pressroom operators using ATD News are able to monitor critical color feedback on a continuous basis via a single, simple touch screen computer. A visual alarm indicates when CMY densities are out of balance for each column. The color is assessed from a universally used grey balance bar. Typical ICC color management test images incorporate patches that are 1/4-inch by 1/4-inch. In contrast, Spectrofiler2 technology supports patches that measure only 1/16-inch by 3/16- inch. Now associated to Monaco “Profiler” and “Proof” solutions, X-Rite also offers complete CMS bundles.

http://www.xrite.com