- Allen-Bradley Co., a division of Rockwell Automation, Mequon, Wis., introduced PrintLogix. The comprehensive press-control package enables simplified plant-wide control and system integration. It also integrates other functions, from roll-storage and retrieval to web-control and mailroom auxiliary systems.
- Peregrine Technologies International Inc., East Stroudsburg, Pa., exhibited a pressroom-management system that automatically places plates on any web press.
- Grafikontrol America, York, Pa., demonstrated its closed-loop register-control system. The system simultaneously controls the length and cross-register of colors and folds on web offset presses. It also anticipates potential register problems.
- Quad/Tech Inc., Sussex, Wis., exhibited its print-to-process Controller 3000X that maintains a consistent register during speed changes, splices and restarts. It also searches for register marks, measures register error and makes corrections.
- Operators use a touch screen to control MicroTrak CCR, a video-imaging color-to-color register system from Web Printing Controls Co., Lake Barrington, Ill. The system uses video-imaging sensors that the company says are not fooled by target-size variations due to dot gain, blanket soil, plate wear or inconsistent dampening.
In Search of Control
As North American newspapers look to improve color quality and increase efficiency, vendors are responding with digital controls and press drives that can power everything from sleek, state-of-the-art tower presses to venerable printing war horses.
"Press controls are a small thing, but press manufacturers and newspapers are beginning to understand what an important role they play," said NEXPO exhibitor Robert P. Brennan, vice president of industrial automation and technology for Indramat, Hoffman Estates, Ill.
Synax, an Indramat digital control system for shaftless presses, uses individual digital drives to power and synchronize each printing and folding section independently.
Fincor Electronics Division, York, Pa., exhibited its Spark of Life system that is used to upgrade double-width press drives with new electronics that the company says improve motor speed, level torque distribution and offer a more precise balance of electrical current.
Fincor also exhibited its Digitrol III newspaper press drive that features LANscape, a local-area network with open architecture that is compatible with the GE/Fanuc Genius network. That connects the press drive with a variety of personal computers and input/output devices.
A number of other companies demonstrated press-control systems:
Rosalind C. Truitt, Presstime staff writer. E-mail,truir@naa.org; phone, (703) 902-1684; fax, (703) 902-1690.