PECOM-X has arrived: The new umbrella brand from manroland web systems combines all networking and automation functions for printing companies. PECOM-X introduces many new functions that increase the economic efficiency in the pressroom and consolidate offset and digital printing. 

Optimal networking and automation based on experience: manroland web systems has pioneered complex integration solutions with PECOM for many years. The acronym PECOM stands for process, electronics, control, organization and management, and describes the core functions of the pressroom. This market leadership will be further enhanced by the new PECOM-X generation. Dr. Ing. Gregor Enke, Head of Development and Technologies at manroland web systems, described the reason for the development of PECOM-X: “Networking and automation in the pressroom have increased dramatically within the past few years, in part also due to our developments such as autoprint.” According to Enke, now is the right time to restructure the offer: “Our customers can better identify and assess new opportunities.” PECOM-X structures manroland web systems’ core expertise in automation and divides the entire network and automation offering into clear product groups for the five levels of automation.” The future-proof-concept ensures that the hardware and software can be retrofitted. This will become necessary if digital printing is introduced at a newspaper printing company. manroland web systems, at any rate, gets hybrid workflows back on their feet: PECOM-X integrates newspaper, commercial and digital printing applications. It links the printing presses with the prepress and integrates the various finishing systems. This way, PECOM-X forms the basis for cross-media applications in print and for new sectors. 

Level 1: Evaluation/diagnosis
In this area, PECOM-X offers: process optimization from the outset with the PressMonitor. This component monitors and analyzes production in the printing company. The automated system collects and computes key production figures and the resulting data evaluation constitutes the basis for decision making and process optimization. 

Level 2: Networking/planning
In this area, PECOM-X offers: excellent planning as a basis for autoprint and optimal networking in the customer’s infrastructure so that values only have to be recorded once. The products at this level, the PressManager (PPM) and the new MasterQ module for digital production, realize economical print production and optimized use of all automation features. The proven PECOM PressManager (PPM) is the basis for all autoprint functions. The software module consolidates all the data and improves press availability via production planning, while also enabling parallel production monitoring during printing and in the mailroom.

The MasterQ software module ensures efficient and economical digital printing production. It sorts jobs automatically and determines the optimal production sequence for incoming orders. MasterQ acts as the connection between MIS systems, prepress, web2print applications, finishing and digital printing systems.

Level 3: Operating/presetting
In this area, PECOM-X offers: comfortable overview, operating and control. The operating system with ControlCenter and new features on the MobilPad and SlidePad provides a clear overview of the production. In the new operating system, the ControlCenter is the centralized control for the press operator. All aggregates can be controlled from this location. The multi-touchscreen “ControlPad” visualizes all components integrated in the PECOM-X system and displays their current status. Corrections to the settings can be carried out directly on the touchscreen. 

The WorkflowBridge software product offers industrial automation for digital finishing. With comprehensive functions, the module adjusts all finishing units fully automatically. The required job information is supplied via an open interface as a JDF/JMF file. To avoid production stops, the WorkflowBridge verifies the validity of each job before it is processed. 

Level 4: Process/control
In this area, PECOM-X offers: all of manroland web systems’ expertise, ranging from the printing process to mechanics and electrical systems, through to software. This process knowledge is transformed into optimal control systems. In collaboration with grapho metronik, measuring sensor technology is engineered and the best control algorithms made available. This quality package includes inline control functions for ink density, color register, cut-off register, fan-out and lateral ribbon offset. Offering the highest degree of integration on the market, this makes print production completely efficient. A new innovation is the inline color control system for newspaper printing (IDCµ) as well as the spectral color measurement system for commercial printing (ISC). 

Level 5: Control/drive
In this area, PECOM-X offers: non-proprietary hardware and efficient, intelligent control programs. The combination of hardware and matching optimized software offers customers a high degree of flexibility for solutions, both for new presses and for retrofits, because the latest controller generation allows for easy migration of computers and software. The space-saving system is distinguished by its fast performance, high component quality and easy handling.

Advantages of perfect integration
With PECOM-X, manroland web systems has established the necessary software and hardware architecture to advance and optimize the integration and networking of all automation components in the production workflow in collaboration with customers. It allows users to respond to new requirements quickly and flexibly. And investment security trumps all else: New printing systems from manroland web systems are supplied with PECOM-X and all existing presses can be retrofitted with PECOM-X.