Sussex, Wisconsin, USA – QuadTech (stand 906) showcases  a host of new automated, in-line inspection and spectral color measurement solutions that enable flexo and gravure packaging printers to deliver precision quality and minimize waste, at the ICE USA 2011 show, at the Orange Country Convention Center, Orlando, Florida on April 6-8.

Under the theme 'Moving You Forward' QuadTech's stand will highlight the enhanced Inspection System with SpectralCam, featuring in-line color measurement capability for film, the stand-alone Color Measurement System with SpectralCam, and PDF Verification.

Product Details

The QuadTech Inspection System can inspect the entire substrate in-line during printing, laminating and rewinding. Unlike other inspection systems that only scan small sample areas, the QuadTech Inspection System achieves total defect detection with equipment running at full production speeds, inspecting the entire substrate width 100% of the time.

The Inspection System with SpectralCam combines true 100% inspection with advanced color measurement in a single system. The technology has been enhanced with the capability of measuring color in-line on film as well as paper. The system assures continuous, in-line color measurement of virtually all web-fed package materials, including transparent, translucent and opaque substrates. The SpectralCam camera uses 31 bin spectrophotometer technology to measure spectral response and calculates accurate L*a*b*, ΔE and ΔDensity values at maximum press speeds. It measures up to 72 color targets within the work, configured as 12 units with six targets.

The stand-alone Color Measurement System with SpectralCam provides fast, accurate color measurement on the running press. Smart spectrophotometer technology enables the system to quickly detect and analyze colorimetric and density variations from pre-determined targets. The system has been enhanced with an optional high resolution dot viewing capability, which allows press operators to view dot reproduction and structure.

PDF Verification compares customer-approved artwork to the inspection system "golden template." It ensures that the inspection image is free from print and content errors that would otherwise go undetected. This is key to eliminating costly re-prints due to setup errors.

QuadTech's Offline Inspection System is suitable for sheetfed packaging printers. The system allows the printer to inspect printed samples at a very high resolution offline. It can detect subtle continuous defects that press-mounted systems cannot. When paired with PDF Verification, it becomes a high resolution proofing system – a must-have step in any makeready process.

Data Central for Inspection monitors, audits, stores and generates reports of both live and historical data to optimize quality control. It provides accurate, intelligent information about print processes enabling more effective and strategic quality control decisions. It can also export reports to be analyzed by third-party statistical tools, to help identify unwanted production trends.

Waste Management System provides automated control for optimized waste removal. The system gives unparalleled access to production data, either detailed information on every defect or just a high-level overview. This gives the rewinder and slitter operators the confidence to run faster by knowing exactly where defective material is.

QuadTech Web Viewing System is suitable for all packaging applications, providing a "freeze-frame" view of a section of the web in high resolution. When used in conjunction with 100% inspection, it provides an optical zoom to show a repeating defect in a much higher resolution while the inspection system continues inspecting the entire substrate.

The Autotron 2600 with ClearLogic Register Guidance System is an integrated, flexible and cost-efficient tool for minimizing waste and improving print quality across packaging and decorative printing applications. Its specialized solid-state scanning heads can detect a wide range of pale and low-contrast marks, thus ensuring complete control regardless of substrate, ink, or printing technique.

Karl Fritchen, President of QuadTech, comments, "At QuadTech, our engineers are committed to advancing press control technology, giving printers the tools needed to enable the printer to maintain maximum productivity and consistently deliver to the exacting standards required by the brand owner. ICE USA provides the American packaging printer with the perfect opportunity to appreciate our latest innovations at first hand."