Persgroep Amsterdam at Correct Staffing Levels with Highly-automated COLORMAN

De Klerk continued, “The automated color quality and register maintenance now do the work. Printers must be proactive in their responses toQ.I. Press Controls' GOS and other terminals. A printer needs to be continuously aware that an automated system can derail. In that case, overruling is a temporary solution. Subsequently, he is expected to come up with a solution by applying his system knowledge in combination with IQM. IQM itself is able to indicate and backtrack an initial need for maintenance through deviations in trend charts. Truth is that the higher degree of automation means a stronger dependence on the printers’ comprehension of the automated register and color control functions. According to the printers, this has only added to the appeal of the profession.”

Q.I Press Controls’ automation package not only resulted in staff reduction. De Klerk said, “The number of complaints has fallen dramatically. Despite a reduction in actual press operation, the overall quality of our entire print package has become much more stable. Add to that a further reduction of approximately 25% in our start-up and print run waste and we can whole-heartedly say that Q.I. Press Controls’ automation package on our COLORMAN has exceeded expectations in terms of its performance: Improved color quality, reduced crew size and reduced paper waste. Q.I. Press Controls has exceeded our cost-cutting expectations.”

All-in-all, De Klerk is satisfied when recapitulating the cooperation withQ.I. Press Controls.

*  Q.I. Press Controls’ closed-loop automation package for De Persgroep Amsterdam comprises the following system elements:

• 24 IDS high-res CCD-scanners for automatic double-sided, web-wide scanning of, in total, 12 full-color webs, including underlying software for individual color control and management in accordance with ISO 12647-3
• 48 mRC+ high-res CCD-scanners that instantly record deviations in color and cut-off registers, and which provide automated correction input to the relevant positioning engines of printing plate cylinders, turning bars and compensation rollers.
• IQM management system for the evaluation and report on actual register positions and color values measured IDS and mRC+, compared to the target values.
• Corresponding GOS (graphical operator screen) presentation systems for touch-screen interaction between operators and system intelligence. This in addition to the existing consoles with the four presses.