Printflow Digital Ink Preset System
The importance of Ink Fountain Preset
It has long been acknowledged that an effective method of reducing
pressroom makeready time is to Preset the ink key fountains. Achieving
optimal ink fountain ink key presets saves expensive makeready time and
significantly reduces paper waste. During start-up an experienced
pressman can save at least 50% of his makeready time and drastically
reduce paper waste per run. As an investment, the Ink Fountain DIGITAL
Ink Preset System offers a rapid ROI, return on investment.
Alternatives of Ink Fountain Preset
There have been two commonly used ways to preset the press Ink Fountains:
a.)Plate scanning systems - typically less then 80% accurate
b.)Ink Fountains that are digitally preset-usually 90–95% accurate
Presetting of the press ink fountains by a plate scanner has been
the traditionally used method. The plate scanner optically scans the
physical printing plate and then determines the image coverage for each
key zone. The singular advantage of a plate scanner is that it scans a
finished printing plate. When there is no Digital Prepress or workflow
the scanner is the only alternative. Plate scanners can also be used in
pressrooms where there are digital file processes.
The growing use of digital files in the prepress area has
facilitated the use of Digital workflow into many other areas of the
printing process. Digital workflow management is becoming more and more
important with the ever-increasing implementation of CTP,
computer-to-plate, and CTF, computer-to-film, techniques. Digital
preset has many advantages to the end user. Not only do you get a very
accurate Preset to makeready the job, you can do so much quicker than
before. Digital preset does not require a large piece of equipment that
must be maintained and continually calibrated, like a plate scanner
does. It is all done through a software interface to the RIP.
Digital Ink Fountain Presetting with the Printflow DIPS
Printflow Digital Ink Preset System (DIPS) provides a convenient
means of rapidly setting ink fountains. Acting as a "translator”
between the prepress and the printing machine, the DIPS converts
prepress data into the proper digital format, calculates the required
coverage per ink zone, thereby creating the ink key presetting
information, and transmitting this data on to the press control
console. This process of Digital data transfer provides the necessary
information to enable the precise ink fountain presetting of the press.
Printflow DIPS consists of the DIPS Converter (prepress file reader)
and the DIPS Center (interface and preset module).
The DIPS Converter is able to calculate the image coverage data out
of most RIPs either in CIP3/4 format or, if this option is not
possible, then into the existing RIP format. Moreover, this unique
software generates formproofs (digital blueprints) from ripped and
separated data.
The DIPS Center processes image area coverage data from a prepress
area sent via Ethernet from the DIPS Converter. When the job is ready
to be printed, the image area coverage data is calculated to specific
ink key values, Presets, which are then transferred to the press
console to preset the ink fountains. One DIPS system is able to
communicate with various press models and sizes simultaneously. Any
additional press, either new or used, with a console can be added to
the existing network configuration by using the existing DIPS
interface.
The DIPS System is a versatile system. On the prepress side, DIPS
communicates with almost any RIP format from manufacturers such as
Harlequin, Agfa, Creo/Scitex, Heidelberg, Screen, Artwork, Fuji, and
more. On the press side, DIPS communicates with printing machines from
almost all major manufacturers such as Heidelberg, Roland, KBA, Komori,
Mitsubishi, Shinohara, Sakurai, Adast, and Polly.
DIPS is a product of The Printflow Company, Slovakia. Printflow
utilizes their many years of prepress and press process experience to
provide customers with this product, DIPS, which is RIP independent
and, is able to interface with various new and older prepress
equipment, as well as most press consoles. Printflow brings innovative
solutions and technology to Prepress-to-Press Connectivity.
By accurately presetting an offset press the Printflow Digital Ink
Preset System saves expensive makeready time, significantly reduces
paper waste and increases productive capacity. DIPS is an affordable
solution to increasing pressroom profitability and providing the
printer with a maximum return on his investment.
PrintPlanet Discussion Forum (21st January, 2003)
"As you know we are using your system (DIPS) to connect our
Heidelbergs, model 102s with no problems at all. DIPS is one of the
best things we have invested in. Anybody who wants to connect to their
presses and does not want to pay huge costs from the press
manufacturers should talk to these men”
Dave Fisher of SP Print, Birmingham, U.K.
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