QuadTech, Inc. (Stand H11), will present new innovations to its already extensive product portfolio of press control technology under the theme “The Power of Better—People + Technology = Solutions” at Gulf Print & Pack 2013, Dubai World Trade Centre, (8 – 11 April 2013). The latest solutions boost the quality, productivity and immediacy of products printed for newspaper, commercial and packaging markets.

Newspaper, Commercial, and Retail Insert

QuadTech offers significant automated control solutions for commercial and newspaper printers. These include the addition of water control to the Color Control and Web Inspection System with AccuCam™, a closed-loop system that offers image-based color control. The system also inspects the entire web to provide accurate defect detection within the first 170 copies—continuously throughout the print run, and offers plate verification to ensure minimal startup time. For commercial printers, QuadTech’s Color Control System with Instrument Flight® and SpectralCam™ controls color, solid ink density, three-color gray balance and mid-tone dot-gain—throughout the production run.

The Digital Ink System replaces open fountains or upgrades existing “pump and rail” systems. This provides precise density control at all press speeds by metering the exact volume of ink required per image, offering optimized image quality. It also eliminates the costs of contamination from open fountains, providing immediate ink, paper and maintenance cost savings.

QuadTech’s closed-loop color-to-color register and ribbon control technology utilizes the performance proven MultiCam®, the best-selling register camera in the world with over 10,000 sold. MultiCam makes adjustments at press speeds of up to 17,8 meters per second. QuadTech's Register Guidance System also provides fan-out control software, automatically keeping the system in lateral register across the width of the web. Other recent enhancements include cocking control, anti-embossing, and ink guiding capabilities.

QuadTech has also recently introduced Service Advantage with Proactive Care™, which offers a first-of-its-kind service program. It is designed for customers to choose the level of service that best matches the needs of the business based on press, people and budget. The program includes a wide range of services such as Proactive Care—24/7/365, on-line monitoring of your ICON™ systems by skilled technicians—preventive maintenance, training, technical support, and more.

QuadTech’s network-based ICON integrated platform is a single, centralized station that can control, recall and apply stored job setup data. This works in conjunction with Data Central® Reporting, which receives, stores and analyzes information from QuadTech control systems and generates reports that show how well each job meets the desired tolerances. This optimizes control for operators who can then compare productivity and make any equipment or job changes according to previous and live runs.

Packaging and Converting

Lean, cost-controlled production methods and quality consistency are increasingly vital as global brand-owners seek local sources of packaging and expect the same standards as elsewhere.

QuadTech’s Color Quality Solution provides in-line color and ink control. It comprises in-line spectral data obtained from QuadTech’s SpectralCam, ink formulation data from X-Rite and technology from ink dispensing system suppliers. Any color deviations are automatically captured and rectified immediately throughout the press run.

The ability to measure color information in-line on all web-fed package materials, along with a high-resolution view of dot structure is also possible using Color Measurement System with SpectralCam HD with QuadTech's patent-pending web stabilizer technology. This enables fast in-line inspection and spectral color measurement on substrates including transparent, supported, unsupported, reflective and various laminates.

The QuadTech Inspection System inspects the entire substrate width 100% of the time throughout the entire press run. It is suited to gravure, offset, flexo or digital processes, and wide to narrow web widths. The system utilizes the Golden Template Comparison, which is a printed copy considered by the press operator to be as close to the original artwork as possible. All copies are compared to the Golden Template, resulting in a fixed, repeatable quality standard.

Another product available for the package printer is QuadTech's Autotron™ 2600 Register Guidance System with ClearLogic™. This system achieves accurate register regardless of ink, speed or substrate. It can be used on a wide range of difficult materials such as BOPP, metalized film, high-gloss cast and polypropylene. Scanning heads that identify  a wide range of pale and low-contrast marks with precision assure accurate repeat print copy, thus eliminating waste.