Goss International launched a new system at the Print 13 trade show in Chicago designed to provide web offset printers with a greater level of control over their day-to-day production efficiency. Enabling the identification of the precise cause of a web break, the Goss ContiVision web break analysis system can help prevent web break recurrences, as well as provide essential evidence for achieving compensation in the case of paper flaws. 

The ContiVision system is based on proven processes and components adapted from industry-leadingGoss Contiweb splicer and dryer technology, according to Rutger Jansen, director of sales and service forGoss Contiweb products. He says the new system meets a distinct need in the industry; one that has been largely overlooked by suppliers until now.

“At least half of all web breaks currently remain unexplained and unresolved, leaving the printer no option but to absorb the resulting costs from waste and press downtime and hope for no recurrence,” explains Jansen. “As they increasingly look for ways to reduce the cost-to-print and keep their presses operating round the clock, the ContiVision system represents a powerful opportunity for those in the web offset arena.”

Receiving up to 80 signals from cameras and sensors strategically positioned throughout the pressline, theGoss ContiVision web break analysis system is able to monitor, measure and analyze the forces interacting with the paper web through its entire print production journey. Immediately on detecting the small changes in web tension that signal a web break, the system correlates all data to determine crucial factors, including:

• Precise time and location of a web break
• Process circumstances at the moment of the web break
• Variations in paper quality, such as holes or cracks 

ContiVision algorithms consider the data in relation to approximately 300 possible system failures to establish the most likely cause, providing step-by-step validation of the conclusion and automatically generating a report. This report can be reviewed locally as well as remotely via VPN connection by the specialist Goss Contiweb control center.

“Successful beta-testing of the ContiVision system has confirmed that this technology truly takes the guesswork out of identifying the cause of web breaks and preventing repeated breaks,” concludes Jansen. “At a time when every printer needs to reduce unnecessary expense, this technology presents a clear advantage.”