Graph Expo Part II

In part two of our Graph Expo report, we detail the latest advances in prepress, e-commerce, bindery and consumables.

The recent Graph Expo show in Chicago drew more than 45,000 industry professionals to McCormick Place. Last month IPG took you there as we detailed many of the technologies on display, including direct imaging and digital printing innovations.

But with nearly 575 exhibitors at the four-day event, we couldn't cover it all in one issue. So this month we're presenting even more Graph Expo highlights.

Prepress

Group Logic exhibited MassTransit, version 3.6, its high-speed digital file transfer and remote proofing software. MassTransit 3.6 boosts file transfer performance by more than 20 percent over previous versions, lets users view the Log and Job browser from the Web and expands remote administration capabilities. MassTransit 3.6 also ports enterprise features to the Windows version of the software and creates powerful, efficient workflows.

Agfa released Apogee Create, the fourth and newest component of the Apogee PDF-based production system. Apogee Create establishes a collaborative, high-productivity link between creative and production teams, by giving creators a tool to produce workflow-optimized PDF files and job tickets. Using Adobe's OEM PostScript Extreme Normalizer with Agfa enhancements, Apogee Create produces digital masters that are identical in format to those created and processed by the Apogee Pilot production manager. The use of Apogee Create introduces the production of PDF digital masters upstream from the production environment, thus improving workflow speed and predictability.

A.B.Dick showed printers a way to transfer hard copy work (images, text, line art or tints) into a digital workflow using its new ScanMaster digital scanning system. ScanMaster will bolster A.B.Dick's Digital PlateMaster CTP line. Its simple graphic interface does not require customers to open different programs to scan, manipulate and layout pages.

Also on the scanning front, CreoScitex showed EverSmart oXYgen, a new scanning workflow innovation based around CreoScitex's new DigitalTransparency (DT) technology. oXYgen allows EverSmart scanner owners to capture information from an original and transform it into a repurposable DT file. Once an image is captured as a DT, it can be processed at any stage, at any time, for any output device, enabling a repurposable, distributed scanning workflow.

CreoScitex also introduced Brisque 6 for its best-selling Digital Front Ends (DFEs). Early benchmarks demonstrate it's at least three times faster than the current Brisque 4. The six-CPU unit can drive a platesetter, a filmsetter, two Iris proofers and four imposition proofers simultaneously.

CreoScitex increased the speed of its Trendsetter and Lotem platesetters by up to 50 percent, and enhanced its Lotem platesetters with automatic temperature compensation and optional features like a dual loading cassette and multi-cassette unit.

Also showing platesetters was Fujifilm, which featured its Saber Luxel P-9600CTP. This eight-up format photopolymer platesetter offers fast CTP output, thanks to a multi-beam imaging system and advanced plate management technology. The Saber Luxel P-9600CTP can deliver up to 27 eight-up photopolymer plates per hour, has one of the largest maximum image areas (1,130x900mm) and offers flexible format size. Saber also allows for online, automatic punching to suit a variety of standard protocols and can load up to five plate cassettes, holding 300 plates in a variety of sizes.

Heidelberg USA showed the fully automatic Topsetter 74 and 102 units. Integrated plate punching, automatic plate handling and a stock of up to 500 plates in different formats ensure that Topsetter recorders are geared to top productivity.

Polaroid Graphics Imaging demonstrated its new Prediction high-productivity, two-up, automatic digital halftone proofing system using the laser ablation transfer technology found in the company's PolaProof system. Running unattended, Prediction images up to 12 dry, digital A4 color pages/hour at resolutions of 2,400 or 2,540 dpi and up to 400 lpi. The system is compatible with most digital workflows. Prediction also offers a selection of industry standard color sets, including SWOP, GRACoL, Publication, Eurocolors, Japan colors, PANTONE Hexachrome, plus opaque white and PANTONE-licensed specialty colors including metallic gold and silver.

Another proofing announcement came from Kodak Polychrome Graphics, which opened its Approval Type 2 Media to unrestricted sale at Graph Expo. Approval Type 2 Media enables a range of proofing-enabled computer-to-plate writers, including CreoScitex Trendsetter Spectrum. Approval Type 2 Media creates real halftone dots on the intended printed stock, enabling printers to match the proof from Approval Type 2 media to the final printed sheet.

Fuji Photo Film U.S.A. showed its Luxel FINALPROOF 5600 digital proofing system. It offers true halftone dot screening in a digital contract proof and uses pigments instead of dyes. It is available in 211⁄2x256⁄10˝ or 211⁄2x321⁄4˝ formats. Resolutions range from 2,400 dpi to 2,540 dpi, allowing a range of screens, from 120 to 200 lines.

Hewlett-Packard showed a dual-sided imposition proofer called the PreProofer 5000, from Somitrack AB. Using an HP Designjet 5000 ink-jet printer, it handles both low-cost internal proofs and high-quality folded contact approval proofs. Special media are not required. A 16-up imposition is printed in less than six minutes. Since the same RIP is used for proofing and plate making, the data on paper is guaranteed to be identical to that on the film or plate.

A direct digital color proofing software application, Screen (USA)'s LabProof, offers outstanding quality with consistent accuracy and results. It outputs RIPed data from a large, general purpose ink-jet printer, and can define up to 30 hot folders. It works in conjunction with Screen's LabFit color management system, a process that generates highly accurate ICC profiles, including special double tones and spot colors.

Screen's new halftone screening technology, Fairdot, can achieve quality and detail comparable to 300+ lpi printing—but under 150 lpi printing conditions. It combines the strengths of amplitude modulation (AM) screening and frequency modulation (FM) screening—round dots and randomized placement. This overcomes the rosette moire and object moire patterns.

XANTÉ offered three versions of its printer—the XANTÉ ColourLaser 600 for general office use, the XANTÉ ColourLaser 1200 for entry-level publishing and the XANTÉ ColourLaser Pro 1200 for advanced graphic professionals. Each features a fast RISC processor, oversized printing up to 13x19˝ and Adobe PostScript 3 page description language, allowing users to work from virtually any software or hardware environment. Providing photo-quality color and clear, crisp text, the ColourLaser also includes duplexing capabilities, and boasts features such as XANTÉ's TrueColour calibration technology and ColourMatch software.

Douthitt's Console Overhead Platemaker with Option "X" Vacuum System provides fast productivity with high-quality results. The Option "X" Vacuum System starts contact in the center of the frame and progresses outward, eliminating trapped air. This inverse air evacuation system is electronically controlled for consistency and perfect registration on all plates, proofs and films. The unit's high wattage, counter-balanced, adjustable printing lamp allows for varying printing distances to provide optimum exposure coverage.

E-commerce

In the e-commerce arena, Noosh announced Noosh Direct, an online print buying process that allows print suppliers to offer e-commerce directly from their own Web sites and under their own brands. Buyers don't have to be Noosh customers, they just go to their printer's Web site, enter specifications, request estimates and initiate orders. Another Noosh release, Sales Force E-Commerce, manages all customer contact data, job specifications, files, order entries and schedule information in one online database.

PrintNation streamlined its ordering process by adding the "My Shopping List" purchasing tool to its site. The new feature allows customers to create their own personal mini-catalog of frequently purchased items. With "My Shopping List," customers no longer need to search for repeatedly purchased items every time they access the site's product catalog. Rather, they can click on "My Shopping List" and add those items to their shopping carts directly, where they will remain for future visits. In addition, customers will now have the ability to check their order status online.

In-plant managers will get some help in making good decisions about the adoption of an integrated business strategy with printCafe's new analytic software tool, PrintIQ (Print Integration Quotient). It helps printers gauge the benefits of implementing a print management system and assess the value of extending a print management system to interface and integrate with customer and supplier systems.

WAM!NET, a provider of digital content management services, highlighted its Layered Media Services, the company's suite of network, storage and hosted workflow applications, tailored for the creation and production of digital content. WAM!NET enables customers to efficiently collaborate online and share large digital files, shortening production cycles and reducing costs.

The company provides three levels of network services: WAM!NET Direct! Service, a secure service supporting both still and motion-based media; WAM!NET ISDN Tracked Service provides secure, predictable connectivity to the WAM!NET private network via an ISDN dial-up connection; WAM!NET Internet Gateway Service combines the simplicity of Internet access with the security of WAM!NET's private network, allowing industry partners to exchange data files over the Internet.

Ink & Paper

Building on its successful product introductions at DRUPA, Flint Ink demonstrated several new, breakthrough technologies: the Single Fluid Ink (SFI) concept and the Globalink color replication system. Still in development, SFI eliminates the need for fountain solutions and puts an end to ink/water problems. Printers can just add SFI to the ink fountain and print, getting faster makereadies, reduced paper waste at start up, better color consistency and accuracy, minimal dot gain and exceptional print clarity in shadow and midtone areas. In addition, Flint Ink introduced a new multi-purpose UV product for sheetfed applications.

Van Son Holland Ink showed its line of premium inks, digital, ink-jet and wide-format inks. In addition, the company featured Van Son Digital and its full line of products. The digital segment offers inks and peripheral products geared toward the needs of digital printing, including digital duplicators and desktop and wide-format ink-jet printers. Among the offerings for wide-format ink-jet printers is the ArtColour line of inks, which are fast-drying and designed to provide outstanding levels of color balance and shade quality. The inks are compatible with an array of substrates, including coated and uncoated papers, translucents, plastics and canvas.

Van Son Holland Ink featured DIGI-INK, a dense, fast-setting water emulsion ink formulated to provide top performance in today's most popular digital duplicators, including Riso, Ricoh, Gestetner, Savin, Standard and A.B.Dick. DIGI-Ink eliminates smudging, offset and tracking, while producing more copies per cartridge.

Mohawk Digital Papers was at Graph Expo, showing off its Navajo Brilliant White 100-lb. text paper in style by running it on a Heidelberg Digimaster 9110. Heidelberg selected Navajo Brilliant White for its performance. Heidelberg's NexPress subsidiary also chose Mohawk's 50/10 plus Bright White for demos of the 2100. At its own booth, Mohawk announced new Satin 2.0, engineered to perform well on color copiers and offset presses.

Domtar renamed, repackaged and branded several of its papers under the name Domtar Business Papers. These papers include Domtar Color Copy, Domtar Laser Opaque and Domtar Inkjet. Each package is color-coded for identification. The papers are known for their jam-free quality.

Yupo Corp. brought its paper offerings to the Internet. It showcased its new synthetic paper Internet resource, yupo.com, together with a business development program called Team Yupo. Yupo.com offers printing overviews, technical information and lists to help locate the nearest YUPO distributor. PDF files offer access to tips and product specifications. Team Yupo supplies printers with sales leads and provides training and technical support.

Another synthetic paper source at the show was HOP Industries, which showed HOP-SYN II Dura-Lite synthetic paper made of bi-axially oriented polypropylene. It is tri-laminated through extrusion with an inorganic calcium carbonate coating. This special extrusion process gives Dura-Lite a bright white, smooth matte finish that offers a high opacity for two-sided printing, which will not yellow under the UV rays of the sun. The microporous surface of Dura-Lite will allow inks to anchor into its sheet structure, yielding high print definition, high color resolution and strong protection for the printed image.

Bindery & Paper Handling

Roll Systems' DocuSheeter roll-to-sheet feeding system for the Xerox DocuTech was on display as part of the C.P. Bourg Book Factory, producing perfect bound books in-line. The DocuSheeter permits hours of non-stop feeding without having to load sheets of paper from reams, and reduces the labor needed to feed paper. In another book production application, a Roll-to-Cut Sheet system in the Xeikon booth was feeding a Xeikon 7000-300 SED continuous printer, then cutting and offsetting the sheets of a lawnmower instruction manual. The document was finished offline.

MBO America highlighted its RFE sheet return device, utilized after the fold in the third fold section. As the sheet is returned after the slitter shafts it goes around the drum and back underneath the unit table. Next, the sheet travels to the delivery section or to the fourth folding unit, preferably a knife unit. The RFE requires very little space and operates in a U-shape configuration, allowing the equipment to be run by only one person.

MBO's Navigator System turned some heads with its easy-to-use 15˝ color touchscreen monitor. The software helps the operator with setup by giving instructions for troubleshooting. Managers no longer have to look for misplaced documentation, such as instruction manuals, parts books or wiring diagrams; all information is now digitized.

EMC Document Systems displayed its C120 Maximizer for handling half-page, letter, quarter and Z folds. It handles stocks from 20 to 60 lbs. Electronic programming, with built-in diagnostics, provide faster setup and increased up time. It offers batch counting, batch separation and production control.

The new Heidelberg Stitchmaster ST 270 produces high-quality stitched books at 11,500 cph. The fast makeready of the Stitchmaster ST 270 is evident in the system's integrated trimmer: the knife change takes just 45 minutes. Also, a single head adjustment with scale reference moves the knives in unison to the head and foot positions, ensuring quick and accurate alignment. The unit comes standard with four pockets, a stitcher section, a trimmer and a delivery. It can be equipped with up to 16 stations, including 15 pockets and a cover feeder.

The ISP Stitch'n Fold Booklet Maker, available from A.B.Dick, is a cost-effective and durable in-line finishing system. It provides reliable production runs of up to 65,000 stitches per spool of wire, compared to competitor models that need replacement after 5,000 stitches in a cartridge. The Stitch'n Fold can produce up to 2,300 booklets per hour and interfaces with numerous tower collators, including those from Baum, C.P. Bourg, Duplo, Plockmatic and Vario.

A.B.Dick also introduced the Watkiss SpineMaster, which stitches or staples booklets to provide the professional, flat appearance of a perfect bound book, with the security of a stitched spine. Books will open flat with no spine damage.

Standard Duplicating Machines premiered the Standard Horizon BQ-460 perfect binder. It produces up to 1,350 books per hour with four clamps that travel on a vertical elliptical track. Productivity is enhanced by its touch-screen panel, centrally located controls and same-location loading and unloading. Features include single-person operation, automated setup, a new side-gluing device and automatic air-suction cover feed.

Standard also introduced the Docu-Fold suction-feed paper folder, an automated folder with speeds up to 21,900 sheets an hour. Its paper-feed system handles curled, static charged or glossy paper, in a variety of weights, without marking. It automatically sets fold plates for six standard fold formats, has paper length sensors that calculate fold plate positions and has a compact design to enable loading and unloading from one position.

The Sterling Minibinder, from Spiel Associates, is an economical, heavy-duty perfect binder. You can bind up to 600 books per hour with a machine that can fit in your office. The Sterling Minibinder will bind books from 1⁄8˝ to 2˝ thick. The auto sensor eliminates the need to press a button. Just drop the book in the clamp and the machine does the rest. The saw blade and roughing station ensure professional quality equal to expensive, multi-clamp binders. The Minibinder even side glues for hinge covers.

The new Brackett Booklet Manufacturer applies hot-melt adhesive to a clamped paper stack prior to adding and aligning a paper cover. The Booklet Manufacturer is compact, lightweight and fits easily on a small tabletop. The machine cycles in 15 seconds and can turn out up to 200 booklets per hour, up to 1˝ thick. It is suitable for digital offset and all low-volume binding and padding operations.

C.P. Bourg's Signature Booklet Maker SBM4 is designed to meet the needs of production environments requiring fast changeover for saddle-stitched documents. The SBM4 can make adjustments while in production mode by automatically adjusting stitching heads with active clinchers and can perform most changeovers in less than 50 seconds. In addition to speed, the SBM4 is versatile and easy to use. The User Interface enables the user to choose the automatic setup for most common paper sizes or select directional buttons for any customized paper sizes.

C.P. Bourg introduced a new binder designed to allow a no-tools changeover. Computerized, the Bourg Binder 3001 is a single-clamp perfect binder designed for flat sheets and signatures. Equipped with Bourg Automatic Speed Optimization, this feature automatically adjusts the speed of the carriage according to the thickness of the book, enabling intensified spine preparation for thin books. This results in an output rate of up to 500 cycles per hour.

Duplo USA unveiled the new System 4000, the company's latest collating and bookletmaking system. Capable of producing 4,200 booklets per hour, the floor-standing system can incorporate up to six collating towers, each consisting of 10 bins, to provide a high-volume collating and bookletmaking solution. Each bin has an individual capacity of 21⁄2˝, and is equipped with its own airblast and suction system to ensure consistent paper feeding.

The new GW 6000 number/ perf/score/slit machine was on display from Graphic Whizard. It operates at up to 6,000 sph, is upgradable to another model at any time and comes with a five-year, limited warranty. Graphic Whizard's GW 12000 is also available for numbering, perforating, scoring and slitting. Versatile and high speed, the 12000 adds higher production speeds while maintaining register and accuracy. From the 30˝-long register board for easy setup, to the individually adjustable perf/score/slit, to the pneumatic heads and conveyor outfeed delivery, the GW 12000 is designed for years of trouble-free operation.

The NSF Foil Press, from Therm-O-Type, features an 81⁄2x113⁄8˝ image area, programmable foil draw, impression throw off, heavy-duty construction and a maximum speed of up to 6,000 iph. The design of the NSF press focuses on improved strength, registration, accuracy, maximum production speed, durability and operation.

Additional Products

Foster Manufacturing introduced the new Pro Filing system in both transparent and black polypropylene plastic. Transparent Pro Files allow users to view the contents stored in the file without having to remove them. An outer protective flap has two Velcro seals that keep contents dust-free. Black polypropylene Pro Files are completely light tight, ideal for storing UV-sensitive materials such as flexographic and offset plates, and photo tooling film.

Support Products showcased the Fountain Solution Controller, which premixes solution, automatically controlling pH or conductivity. It cools and maintains set temperatures, supplying the press with chilled solution and skimming oils from the return solution. Units are available with or without refrigeration, with a heat exchanger or with a return unit that reduces ink and oil buildup, eliminates piping on the floor and eliminates dirty solution in the recirculation tank.

Varn International debuted the Kompac V, a retrofit automatic dampening system designed for the Heidelberg Speedmaster press. In addition to demonstrations on a two-color Speedmaster, Kompac V was shown on a Hamada RS34 and a Hamada 234. Also shown for the first time was a newly designed Kompac for the two-color Hamada H248 press.

PRINT 01 will be held on September 6-13, 2001. For info visit: www.print01.com.