Press control technology leader showcases image-based spectral color measurement, register guidance, web inspection and data management solutions at Germany's premier flexographic gathering.

Sussex, Wisconsin, – At the ProFlex 2011 exhibition, organized by the German Flexographic Technical Association (DFTA) in Stuttgart, QuadTech (stand 75) will show how its suite of automated press controls are a vital component for lean, precision quality in flexo printing.

QuadTech's current product range covers register guidance, image-based spectral color measurement, web inspection and print-data management. These products are specially designed to meet requirements in all package print situations, including flexible packaging, corrugated, folding carton or labels. The inspection technology uses line-scan cameras to compare each print repeat against a "golden template," bringing the printed copy as close to perfect as possible. On this basis, QuadTech's equipment identifies a range of flexo-related defects faster and more reliably than is possible by human means, eliminating the risk of waste or the need for re-runs.  

Product Details

The Autotron 2600 with ClearLogic Register Guidance System features specialized solid-state scanning heads which can detect a wide range of pale and low-contrast marks, ensuring complete control regardless of substrate, ink, or printing technique.
 
The QuadTech Inspection System inspects the entire substrate in-line during printing, laminating and rewinding. Inspecting the entire substrate width 100% of the time instead of scanning small sample areas, the QuadTech Inspection System achieves total defect detection with the press running uninterrupted at normal print speeds.
 
The Inspection System with SpectralCam combines true 100% inspection with advanced color measurement in a single system. The system assures continuous, in-line monitoring of virtually all web-fed package materials, including transparent, translucent and opaque film  substrates in addition to paper. The SpectralCam camera calculates accurate L*a*b*, ΔE and ΔDensity values at maximum press and rewinder speeds. It measures up to 72 color targets within the work and is many  times more sensitive to subtle color differences than the human eye.

PDF Verification  makes structural comparisons between the golden template and the customer-approved digital artwork file. This is a fail-safe means of ensuring the correct cylinder is being used.

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. A new high resolution dot viewing capability option is now available.

The QuadTech Web Viewing System, for all packaging applications, provides a high-resolution 'freeze-frame' view of web sections, so defects can be analyzed while the Inspection System continues scanning the web.

Data Central for Inspection is a database for logging and analysis of defects and press performance. This program generates easily accessible reports that provide instant overviews of current or historical performance, allowing fast pin-pointing and remedy of production problems.

The QuadTech Waste Management System automates converting equipment to optimize waste removal. The system uses print inspection and process information to perfect your waste removal processes. Dependable, quick, and accurate, the Waste Management System keeps waste out of your customers' hands and excess costs out of your operating budget.

Karl Fritchen, President of QuadTech, comments: "In the current highly competitive and uncertain economic environment, printers have an increasing need to improve margins and reduce waste. Our response has been to accelerate product development and provide a first-class support network, so customers can fulfill their own future plans and move forward."