When was it launched and who is it aimed at?
Heidelberg’s Prinect Image Control first appeared in 2000, though the German manufacturer’s on-press colour control technology dates back 34 years to the CPC-II. Image Control works with any Speedmaster from the 52 up to the XL 105. Heidelberg ANZ product manager Soeren Lange believes many first-generation users will consider upgrading because “the new platform provides a high-resolution scanning possibility, which allows for more beneficial features”. There are no local installations, but there are 55 of the previous units across Australia and New Zealand.
What are its main features?
In addition to the colour bar, Image Control also analyses and uses LAB values directly from the printed image to control the ink zones. Lange says this minimises colour fluctuations across large print runs and repeat jobs, as well as in single printed images. The full-sheet spectrophotometer can manage up to four presses online and serves as the quality control centre for both the pressroom and pre-media to maintain the printing standard. It can be fully integrated with Heidelberg’s Prinect workflow and send measuring values back to pre-press to adjust output profiles.
What’s its USP?
According to Lange, Prinect Image Control is the only spectrophotometer on the market able to measure a entire sheet in one pass. He claims other systems measure and control using the colour bar only or only pre-defined small sheet areas. “Image Control identifies the type and position of both colour bars and mini spots automatically. Mini spots are small colour wedges that can be positioned anywhere on the sheet and provide more detailed information on the print process than just colour bars can.” He says that by integrating Image Control into Prinect Pressroom Manager, all results for all measured sheets are stored with the job.
What enhancements have been made in this latest version?
The latest version has a much higher spectral image measurement resolution and is more user-friendly. “High-end” scanning and image spectrophotometers have replaced the previously used light multiplexer. There is also more automation, thanks to new operating software called Setup Assistant. Setting up with pre-press data is now faster, and searching for solid-tone control areas in the printed image can now be done automatically.
How quick is it and what’s the quality like?
Image Control can measure a complete sheet with 50 million LAB values in 20 seconds. The first-generation Image Control is able to measure 166,000 LAB values in 30 seconds.
How easy is it to use?
Lange says Setup Assistant has a similar look and feel to the Prinect Press Center operating software, and is operated via a 19-inch touch screen. The Setup Assistant comes with an integrated direct help function, which the operator can activate in Prinect Press Center as support. In combination with the Prinect Wallscreen – a large display integrated into the back panel of the press console – the scanned sheet from Image Control can be displayed in real size, overlaid with the ink zone display and can make adjustments easier.
What training and level of service support can users expect?
Installation takes no more than a day, while training can be up to a further four days, depending on whether the customer has any experience
Specs
Availability: Speedmaster 52, 74, XL 75, 102, CD 102, CX 102, XL 105
Max no of presses it can link to: Four
Speed: 200mm/s
Number of controllable colours on each side if the sheet:12
Min size of measurement field in colour bar: 3.25x4mm
Contact : Heidelberg Australia, 1300 135 135; Heidelberg New Zealand, 0800 803 865 www.au.heidelberg.com
The Alternatives
KBA
DensiTronic Professional is an offline, closed-loop measuring and control system, which is able to measure ink densities of up to 12 colours at a speed of 1,000 measurements per second in the control strip and spectral and colourmetric values within any specified area of the printed sheet.
Max no of presses it can link to: Three KBA Rapidas
Speed: 200mm/s
Contact: KBA 0419 616 427 davelewis@kbaaustralasia
Komori PDC-SII
This offline system boasts Real Time Measurement and Auto Look Ahead Sensing to automatically locate the colour bar. It supports ICC profile creation from scan data and runs under an SQL database for custom reporting and networking.
Max no of presses it can link to: Press independent
Speed: 67mm/s
Contact: Ferrostaal (02) 9338 3900 www.ferrostaal.com.au
Manroland InlineColorPilot
With the Roland InlineColorPilot, following measurement, the colour will be controlled within 40 sheets. Within the unit, air cushions blow away any dust or spray particles around measuring heads – and the control strip location is flexible resulting in less wastage.
Max no of presses can link to: One
Speed: 250mm/s
Contact: Manroland (02) 9645 7900 www.manroland.com.au
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