Spectrographic quality control directly on the CP2000 Center Heidelberg recently introduced AxisControl, a new color measuring system which forms part of the Prinect product portfolio. AxisControl uses spectrophotometric measurements, performs colorimetric analyses and uses the information from the color bar to calculate the control parameters for online color control. A systematic procedure for quick setup of inking and stable production, right from the outset provide a boost to productivity and cost-effectiveness. AxisControl adds a new color measuring system to Heidelberg's Prinect workflow family, so that Heidelberg can now supply two customized solutions for different requirements. The ImageControl color measuring system has won many admirers in industrial high-end applications. It measures the entire printed image, utilizes color reference values from the digital prepress and generates color data for generating ICC profiles. In contrast, AxisControl is a basic color measuring system that can be used by any printshop needing to carry out effective quality controls directly on the CP2000 Center press console. It is ideally suited to Speedmaster SM 52, SM 74, CD 74 and SM 74 DI models where efficient, high-quality results are required. It is also designed to support the Speedmaster 102 models, although ImageControl is ideally suited to this application for industrial printers. AxisControl uses spectrophotometric measurements, performs colorimetric analyses and uses the gray, full-tone, solid overprint and screen patches of the color bar to calculate the parameters for online color control. It can measure up to eight colors in a single pass and can also measure perfected sheets on presses equipped with reversing units. CP2000 Center and AxisControl - the perfect match The color measuring system in the CP2000 Center comprises a new sheet viewing table and a moving measuring bar, which is fitted with a spectrophotometric measuring head. Operation is via the color touchscreen display on the CP2000 Center (the display is adjustable in height and inclination) and an additional control panel on the viewing table. AxisControl therefore profits fully from the user friendliness of CP2000 Center which guarantees speed and reliability from the outset. The park position of the AxisControl spectrophotometric measuring head is ideally positioned at the top of the CP2000 Center away from the sheet viewing area. This ensures that the printer has an optimum and ergonomic working area at the CP2000 Center. AxisControl is fully integrated into the CP2000 Center and can be used on all Speedmaster SM 52, SM 74, SM 102, CD 74, CD 102 and SM 74 DI models. AxisControl can also be used with the CP2000 modular expansions MemoryPlus and OnlineAssistance. AxisControl comes to the color bar Due to the moving measuring bar with measuring head, the color bar required for the measurements can be positioned anywhere on the print sheet - i.e. at either the rear edge, center or front of the sheet. This allows greater choice in placing the color bar at the most suitable and cost-effective location on the sheet. Measuring technology also enhances the makeready procedure The trend towards ever shorter, high-quality runs means that makeready procedures today can benefit greatly from measuring technology. AxisControl's measuring head scans the color values in the color bar quickly and reliably. This information is used to determine all color values and quality parameters such as dot gain, slur and doubling. AxisControl compares these color values with the predefined reference values stored in the system. All measuring results and recommended adjustments are displayed automatically in graphic form on the color touchscreen display. Once the operator approves these, they are sent online to the ink zones of all printing units. A color database is also available to provide support in setting up new print jobs. All colorimetric reference values from Pantone and HKS are factory installed in the database. However, users can also add other special colors to the color database using appropriate measuring procedures. A whole host of benefits for the printer AxisControl also offers considerable benefits in the production run. The fact that the color values are continuously checked over the entire run means that high quality is ensured from start to finish. The single-point measurement function also enables spectrophotometric analyses of relevant locations in the printed image This results in shorter makeready times and greater stability in the production run. AxisControl is thus an innovative development for even greater print quality, higher Prinect productivity and reliable, high-quality color control. Printshops today need to be able to ensure optimum production over the entire workflow from the time the job is received to the time the print product is delivered. This workflow is faster and more flexible if the individual processes are coordinated and networked with each other. This is where Prinect comes in - providing future-focused and modular software solutions from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG that is integrating the processes in the printshop into an end-to-end workflow. Heidelberg is the only supplier to offer support for the entire chain - from prepress and press to postpress, and also including management - from a single source. All Prinect components are finely tuned to each other via open interfaces such as CIP4, thereby enhancing the entire process. They can be used independently of each other and can be adapted to the needs of the individual customer. It makes no difference whether the company involved is a small family operation or a large-scale industrial printshop.