PRINT 05 New Products

Sep 1, 2005 12:00 AM, By AP staff

New products on display or debuting at PRINT 05 from: QuadTech, Vijuk, MGI, CC1, Kodak, Lüscher, RIPit Computer Corp., KlearVision Digital, MBM Corp., ECRM Imaging Systems, Domino Printing Sciences, Pageflex, Smyth, Baldwin, Lucid Dream Software, Screen USA, Research Inc., Bobst Group, Schober USA, Kohl & Madden, MetalFX, Autobond, Ghent PDF Workgroup, Print Council, RIMA-System, Creo, VUTEk, Superior Printing Ink, BÖWE Bell + Howell, Scitex Vision and Prepress Training Solution.

Machinery, Accessories, Services

Five star performance
“Five Star Performance” is the theme of QuadTech’s booth (1673), highlighting customers who have become “stars” to their clients with QuadTech technologies, as well as the five main areas of the company’s products and services: color management and control; web and ribbon register; ICON integrated controls; management information; and worldwide service and support.

The QuadTech Color Control System, incorporating System Brunner Instrument Flight technology, analyzes more than 30 color variables and controls everything from solid ink density to three-color grey balance. QuadTech’s Register Guidance System and Ribbon Control System, both with MultiCam, provide register control for commercial web offset and newspaper presses. MultiCam sensors recognize marks in a circumferential white space as small as 0.2 inches.

Also on display will be Data Central. The JDF-enabled software product provides automatic configuration as well as statistics and reports on press performance and optimization.
Circle 170 or visit freeproductinfo.net

Coloring book assembly
Vijuk will donate 40,000 coloring books to nine schools, school districts and an after-school shelter in Chicago, assembling the books on its 321-T saddlestitcher at booth 3628. Vijuk plans to run about 100,000 coloring books at the show, and will distribute copies at its booth.

Finch Paper Co. (Glens Falls, NY) donated 35,000 lbs. of paper for the inside pages and Apex Trade Web (Ontario, Canada) donated the printing.
Circle 171 or visit freeproductinfo.net

Paper or plastic?
MGI’s display (Booth 17069) will include live demonstrations of the Meteor DP 30 paper and plastic digital press, the Meteor DP Smart small-format digital press, the Master City digital press, the PunchCard Hydraulic automated diecutter, the PressCard hot platen lamination unit and the UFA3 multi-function paper finishing station. The Meteor DP 30 can switch from paper to plastics within seconds and print at 1,800 dpi (200 lpi).
Circle 172 or visit freeproductinfo.net

Online color scanner
CC1 will introduce the PCD-5000 online color scanner in booth 4067. The system reads and defines the four process colors on a high-speed moving web, reading selected points in the printed image. The scanning head is not much larger than a typical densitometer. The density of the four process colors and PMS colors in each ink zone are displayed in real time on a monitor for the press operator with alarm indicators if the defined density tolerances are exceeded. The scanner can read multiple points on the moving web up to 3,000 fpm, even when running roll to reel.
Circle 173 or visit freeproductinfo.net

Thermal processless plates
Kodak’s (Booth 7507) Thermal Direct processless plates have a traditional grained and anodized aluminum substrate. Each plate features a proprietary, thermally-sensitive coating compatible with all popular thermal imagers without special debris removal attachments. A unique polymer resin permits the ultrathin coating—which is 70 percent thinner than photopolymer violet plates and 38 percent thinner than typical processed thermal plates—to deliver run lengths up to 75,000 impressions. The thin coating eliminates the problem of fountain solution contamination. The plates can hold one percent to 98 percent dots at 200 lines per inch.
Circle 174 or visit freeproductinfo.net

CTP, digital and flexo print
Lüscher AG will exhibit most of its equipment in booth 6727, showcasing its digital, flexo and CTP capabilities. On display will be XPose! 75, 130 and 160 thermal CTP imaging systems; the FlexPose! direct and FlexPose! mask laser ablation systems, offering digital positive and negative solutions, respectively; and the JetPrint 3530 UV large-format printer, offering live demonstrations at the show.

The JetPrint 3550 flatbed printer uses Spectra piezo print heads with up to 8,192 nozzles in four-, six-, seven- and eight-color configurations, plus a white option. JetPrint prints UV-curing SunJet inks on almost any rigid and flexible substrate with formats up to 3,050 x 3,500-mm and 80-mm material thickness at speeds up to 656 fph.
Circle 175 or visit freeproductinfo.net

CTP and workflow solutions
RIPit Computer Corp. (Booth 6560) will debut its SpeedSetter VM4 four-up Violet Metal CTP system. Options include imposition, trapping, proofing and screening. A photopolymer plate processor and plate pH chemistry neutralizer may be added. RIPit also will showcase a new version of OpenRIP Symphony featuring “Simplified Color Management,” preflight, TIFF input and an expanded set of PerfectBlend AM/FM hybrid screening choices for offset printing, as well as enhanced features designed for flexographic printing applications.
Circle 176 or visit freeproductinfo.net

Say ‘goodbye’ to red-eye
KlearVision Digital will debut a new version of its Photo-D auto-correction software featuring ICC support. Photo-D is a comprehensive, rules-based Intelligent Expert System (IES) that automatically optimizes and enhances digital image files, preparing them for printing or viewing.

Photo-D acquires sets of photos and analyzes them as a human graphic arts expert would. The software looks for problems associated with under- or over-exposure, contrast, brightness, color, details and red-eye, and then corrects the problems automatically. The original and corrected photos are displayed side by side for easy comparison and selection.
Circle 177 or visit freeproductinfo.net

Bookletmaker and trimmer
The StitchFold bookletmaker and trimmer system from MBM Corp. (Booth 2888) uses wire-fed stitching technology. With a 25-sheet capacity, the StitchFold and trimmer can saddlestitch and trim 2,300 sets per hour. The wire-fed stitching system provides lower operating costs than bookletmakers using preformed staples. (65,000 booklets can be produced from a single spool of wire.) A collator interface is available.
Circle 178 or visit freeproductinfo.net

Upgraded workflow, RIP interface
ECRM Imaging Systems (Tewsbury, MA) launches CtServer version 5.2, a Windows-based software application capable of accepting industry standard 1-bit TIFF files. The CtServer is an interface between workflow systems, RIPs and ECRM output devices providing access to available features on all ECRM film and metal imaging devices. Features include:

Ability to define property sets controlling job flow, number of copies, media selection, image placement and image manipulation.
Ability to view images as received or preview output.
Modification of individual job properties.
Job management features.
Job list management features controlling the jobs displayed. Selections are all, active, paused, finished, error, by property set or by media.

See www.ecrm.com.
Circle 179 or visit freeproductinfo.net

Inkjet addressing
Domino Printing Sciences (Booth 4041) will highlight its Bitjet+ binary printer and high Domino-ON-Demand DOD printer in a turn-key, fully selective bindery/mailing solution on a Heidelberg ST400 stitcher line.
Circle 180 or visit freeproductinfo.net

VDP online
Pageflex (Booth 6951) will unveil a desktop variable-data printing application to be named at the show. The application features cross-media capabilities for creating coordinated print and e-mail campaigns, variable-length document capability, flexible layouts and the ability to compose text in more than 60 languages, including Japanese and Chinese.

Pageflex also will display its Storefront 2.5 software package which simplifies the process of setting up an online literature management and ordering site with document customization capabilities. New add-on options for integrated list acquisition also will be announced, and demonstrations of these applications and other integrated e-commerce capabilities will take place.
Circle 181 or visit freeproductinfo.net

Inline gathering and sewing
The Smyth (Booth 3816) Unit is designed to utilize a gatherer, a Smyth book sewer and an operator to increase production output and decrease labor costs. The double pocket design of the gathering machine reportedly allows for a 50 percent reduction in the machine’s length. The Unit can grow into the Smyth Easy Connect system as production requirements increase.

The Easy Connect inline gathering and sewn book manufacturing line connects a Smyth gatherer with up to eight book sewing machines.
Circle 182 or visit freeproductinfo.net

Press dampening & cleaning systems
Baldwin’s (Booth 5235) PRINT 05 highlights include automated presets for its LithoSpray Maxima spray dampening system; IMPACTflex and JetStream blanket cleaning technology for web, high-speed and retail print applications; PREPAC and CleanMaster automatic cleaning systems; and WebCatcher S-18, a web-break management system for high-speed, wide-web printing.
Circle 183 or visit freeproductinfo.net

MU cross-platform integration
Lucid Dream Software (Booth 6039) releases I-Trap Multi-User (MU), a cross-platform, client/server implementation of I-Trap software for Harlequin’s RIP technology. New features include unlimited client stations, interchangeability between Mac and PC environments, fast viewing over a local network, full feature ink revamping and enhanced support with online remote access. I-Trap MU is available in three configurations:

I-Trap Full Server—Includes auto-trap and remote client stations with a local server trapping station.
I-Trap Full—Complete automatic and interactive trapping functionality on one station.
I-Trap Auto—Entry for automatic in-RIP trapping, which includes a 60-day trial of I-Trap’s Full Server capability and continuing support for ink remapping.

Circle 184 or visit freeproductinfo.net

JDF workflow upgrade, new output devices
Screen USA will showcase new output devices from its digital press line and PlateRite series thermal CTP platesetters in booth 6100. The TruePress 344, a four-color digital offset press with top printing speeds of 7,000 sph, will produce a 500-sheet, single-sided job from start to finish in less than 15 min. Several products in the PlateRite family will be on display, including:

PlateRite Ultima 24000, which serves a 24-page format and handles plates as large as 55.1 x 68.9 inches and as small as 21.7 x 25.6 inches, outputting up to 21 plates per hour depending on the sensitivity of the plate media.
PlateRite 8800II, which supports two-page plates up to the largest eight-page plate sizes, imaging 30 plates per hour with a high-speed option for 35 plates per hour. Screen also will deomonstrate the MA-L 8800 multiple cassette autoloader, which can hold up to five plate sizes for a total of 500 plates.

Trueflow 3.1, an upgrade of the PDF- and JDF-based workflow management system, will debut. Trueflow 3.1 automatically incorporates JDF-enabled data received from an MIS into a job. It notifies the MIS when job processing begins and ends, allowing operators to monitor progress in real time. Showgoers also will see the newest versions of the Rite family workflow modules within Trueflownet.
Circle 185 or visit freeproductinfo.net

Infrared ink drying system
Research Inc.’s (Eden Prairie, MN) Speed Dri Model 5061 ink drying system’s infrared and convection technologies dry ink printed on target areas up to four inches wide. Medium-wave quartz lamps reportedly break down the boundary layer and immediately evaporate ink solvent. The model measures 21.1 x 13.8 x 4 inches. See www.researchinc.com.
Circle 186 or visit freeproductinfo.net

Diecutters, folder-gluers, remote service and more
Bobst Group (Booth 800) will target folding carton converters and other package printing specialists with its 6,000-sq.-ft. display. Look for live demonstrations of the SPeria 106-E diecutter, SPeria 102 Foilmaster, Mistral 110 A-2 CS folder-gluer, Amazon 105 A-1 folder-gluer and an Apollo 1450 CTS. Among the new products scheduled to debut at the show are the Angle-Lock Blanking system and “InTouch,” the direct customer connection for Bobst parts and service.
Circle 187 or visit freeproductinfo.net

Cost-effective RFID
Schober USA’s (Booth 15083N) new RFID tag placement technology places RFID transponders under preprinted labels for a cost-effective RFID solution. It works with transponders in accordance with ISO specifications, in widths from 10 mm to 160 mm. Pre-printed labels with widths from 20 mm to 200 mm can be applied at rates from 5,000 to 20,000 labels per hour. On board RFID readers ensure the readability of each RFID tag before and after integration. An automatic control system keeps transponders and printed labels in register. See www.schoberusa.com.
Circle 188 or visit freeproductinfo.net

VOC-free ink
Kohl & Madden (Booth 811), the commercial inks division of Sun Chemical, will introduce Liberty sheetfed inks. Liberty inks can stay open on press for days, while drying instantaneously when printed on a substrate. The inks can be used on a range of papers in different applications, reducing the need for press washes. Liberty inks also are environmentally friendly, as they contain no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or cobalt dryers.
Circle 189 or visit freeproductinfo.net

MetalFX goes for gold
As well as hosting its own stand (Booth 6034-36), the MetalFX color communication system will be demonstrated live at the show. Heidelberg will premiere the new, gold-based metallic ink system, MetalFX Version 2 on a Speedmaster SM 52-5+LD in booth 1200. The machine is dedicated solely to demonstrating MetalFX at the show.

Visitors also will see PrintDevizor, a print visualization software package that enables printers to show thousands of MetalFX colors and effects onscreen.
Circle 190 or visit freeproductinfo.net

Thermal laminators
Autobond (booth 145) will exhibit two of its most successful laminators, the MINI TP H76 and Compact 102T(P). The new MINI TP H76, which is fitted with a Heidelberg Speedmaster feeder, has a maximum sheet size of 30 x 40 inches, and has the flexibility to handle stock as small as 8.5 x 11 inches. The laminator can be used with stock from 80 lb. to 24 pt., and will handle matt or gloss polypropylene, polyester, nylon and acetate thermal film.

The 40-inch-wide Compact 102TP produces 28 x 40-inch sheets at up to 5,000 sph. And forms part of Autobond’s thermal Compact range, which also includes the 20-inch 52T(P) and the 28-inch 74T(P). All three laminators can be supplied either as singled sided or perfecting machines, and are economically priced to enable sheet-fed printers to bring laminating in-house. The quick makeready and high productivity enables the Compact series to handle economically both short- and long-run work.
Circle 191 or visit freeproductinfo.net

PDF workgroup unleashed
Ghent PDF Workgroup (GWG) will host a seminar titled “Ghent Workgroup Unleashed!” The seminar will take place Sunday, September 11, at 10:00 am in room S102D. Moderated by David Zwang, attendees will learn how GWG’s testing and development benefits the print and publishing process. Topics discussed include: final results of the GWG/IPA Workflow Roundup; how to get and easily use the new Version 3 PDF/X-Plus specifications; how to use new packaging specifications; and a GWG work in progress update on color management in PDF/X-Plus workflows, office document printing and testing the process using GWG tests.

To register for the session, visit www.ghentpdfworkgroup.org/en/print_2005_registration.php.

Promoting print as the medium of choice
Launched in 2003, the Print Council (Booth 6041) is a business development alliance dedicated to promoting print. Member organizations include suppliers and printers as well as industry associations and media partners.

The Print Council’s goals include:

Raising awareness for print as a preferred communications medium.
Educating media specifiers on innovations in printing and the advantages of printing as complementing other mediums.
Maintaining or increasing the level of print buying in North America.
Supporting printers, vendors and media specifiers on opinions and trends.
Conducting and disseminating timely research.

Recent efforts include the Richmond Project, a USPS pilot program that studied the effects of a regional campaign to build demand for printed goods and a national advertising campaign planned for print and print buyer trade publications.
Circle 192 or visit freeproductinfo.net

Stacking systems
RIMA-System will have several products on display at the show, including its RS 820 rotary knife trimmer and RS 36 compensating stacker. New products include the RS 51 indexing (noncompensating) stacker and RS 600 horizontal log stacker.

RIMA’s latest development, the RS 620 vertical log stacker, will make its debut at the show in booth 845. The RS 620 closes the gap between compensating stackers and the RS 600—it is said to be ideal for high-volume offset and rotogravure applications. The specially-designed stacking head allows a non-gapping log separation based on “Continuous Stacking Technology” (CST).
Circle 193 or visit freeproductinfo.net

Unified workflow, software upgrades
Creo (Booth 6707) will feature Digital Print Connectivity, a unified print production workflow that allows the PDF job file to be sent from Prinergy or Brisque prepress workflow systems with JDF control files to a JDF-enabled digital press. Hot folders automate job submission for digital print production. Other new products at the show include:

PDF Compare and PDF Merge, new Adobe Acrobat plug-ins for Prinergy and Prinergy Powerpack.
Synapse EyeMedia software, a digital asset management system that integrates with Prinergy and Synapse InSite Internet portal into prepress for a streamlined content creation production workflow.
Kodak’s enterprise management solution.
Magnus 400, a four-page CTP imaging device, offers up to 250 lpi and Staccato 25 micron screening. Magnus 400 Quantum includes the SQUAREspot thermal imaging head, which devlivers 450 lpi and Staccato 10 or 20 micron screening. Both support chemistry-free and processless plates.

Creo also will offer new versions of several software solutions: Prinergy 3.0 workflow management system; Prinergy Evo 3.0 PDF processors; Profile Wizard Digi 2.0 and Profile Wizard 3.1 color management software; Synapse UpFront job planning software; Synapse Link 2.1, PDF PlateBuilder 1.0 plug-in; and Pandora 2.8.
Circle 194 or visit freeproductinfo.net

UV-curing flatbet and roll-to-roll printers
VUTEk, a division of EFI, will highlight PressVu UV 320/400, a 3.2 m, UV-curing flatbed printer that accommodates rigid substrates up to 126 inches wide and produces up to 1,000 sq. ft. per hour. It also features roll-to-roll capability. It is available as a four-color model, and prints 400 dpi resolution images on both flexible and rigid substrates up to 1.75 inches thick. The 320/400 prints on a range of sheetfed and roll-to-roll substrates. The switch between flatbed and roll-to-roll can be completed in less than a minute.

VUTEk also will display the UltraVu II 3360 three-meter roll-to-roll printer. New features include ColorBurst Software RIP and VUTEk’s soon to be released automated two-sided print registration option for producing double-sided graphics. The UltraVu II 3360 prints up to 2,113 sq. ft. per hour. Available in four-, six- and eight-color models, the UltraVu II 3360 prints at 720-dpi resolution (360-dpi addressable) and replaces the previous UltraVu 3360 EC printer. Visit booth 7946.
Circle 195 or visit freeproductinfo.net

Value-added ink services
Superior Printing Ink Co. (Booth 17025) will exhibit its range of value-added services. These services include: SIMONS (Superior Ink Management Onsite System), offering job costing, billing, inventory management and an ink formula database; PCMS (Precision Color Mixing System for Windows), a small-batch blending system that allows the user to achieve accurate Pantone and non-Pantone color matches using existing and dormant inventory; press profile; formulation; estimating; workflow; training; seminars and education; an in-house ink facility set up on a customer’s premises, staffed and equipped to enable Superior to manage all ink requirements; CRC (Color Resource Center), a more sophisticated in-plant designed to assist in color management from preflighting to post-production; mixing stations; gap analysis; dispensing technology; and local, regional and national support.
Circle 196 or visit freeproductinfo.net

Upgraded enterprise management software
JETS Version 3.1 enterprise management software from BÖWE Bell + Howell allows instantaneous monitoring of every machine, module, process and job in a print/mail environment. New features include an extension to the reporting framework for exporting analysis data; increased ability to personalize reports; 3-D floor-modeling capability that allows users to see the production system; and upgrades to job request management and alerting functionality. The JETS Version 3.1 will be on display in booths 434 and 2073.
Circle 197 or visit freeproductinfo.net

Fastest digital wide-format
Scitex Vision (Booth 7539) will showcase the TURBOjet, reportedly the world’s fasted wide-format digital press. The TURBOjet produces up to 4,304 sq. ft. per hour with 8-pt. or larger text. It can print on a range of substrates, including coated and uncoated paper, vinyl, banner, canvas, Tyvek, polystyrene and fabric, and is said to be ideal for display applications, indoor and outdoor signage, bus shelters and billboards, window and exhibition graphics and POP displays. TURBOjet prints from roll to sheet in resolutions up to 448 dpi.

Scitex also will feature comprehensive information on its entire range of industrial digital inkjet solutions for wide-format and rigid substrate printing with print samples o produced on the CORjet Premium, XLjet Premium and VEEjet+. The Scitex Vision portfolio of wide-format solutions offers solvent, water-based and UV-curable ink systems.
Circle 198 or visit freeproductinfo.net

Anywhere, anytime online training
Prepress Training Solution, a division of Staffing Tools, will offer new course demonstrations in booth 7464 for upcoming online training. Courses include OS X Tiger, Adobe CS2 and Adobe Bridge, as well as topic-focused courses on soft proofing in desktop applications and troubleshooting digital files. Prepress Training Solutions offers 365/24/7 anywhere, anytime training on popular applications. Courses are customized to allow each user to train only on unfamiliar topics. Administrators can manage training in different regions and facilities, track employee progress, and assign and review training.
Circle 199 or visit freeproductinfo.net