Oosterhout – The printing experts at Axel Springer, the leading digital publisher in Europe, have ordered an IDS-3D automation package from Q.I. Press Controls. The Axel Springer printing plant in Berlin-Spandau is the third site within the company to opt for a fully automated solution from the number-one supplier of optical measurement and control systems.

Q.I. Press Controls recently received an order of Axel Springer Druckhaus Spandau (ASDS) for an automation package. ASDS aims at installing 26 IDS-3D cameras with colour register and control. Each of the cameras includes the optional Automatic Ink Mist Shield (AIMS), ink ductor control, fault detection, dampening control, and front-to-back register control. Five mRC-3D cameras have been acquired for cut-off control with optional AIMS, motorized scanner transport, side-lay ribbon control, and folder compensation. The Intelligent Quality Management (IQM) will monitor camera registration. Q.I. Press Controls will install the system on thirteen of the 24 towers and on four of the eight folders on the manroland COLORMAN printing press located in the Berlin-Spandau plant.

Stefan Fricke, project leader for colour register and control systems at Axel Springer, comments on the decision in favour of Q.I. Press Controls: “Our experts are convinced that the IDS-3D for colour control and colour register will bring about considerable reductions in workload and an increase in print quality. We are intent on maintaining close collaboration with Q.I. Press Controls and EAE in the future, specifically by working with them to develop a new overarching control platform for the printing plants within the Axel Springer group.”

Chairman of Q.I. Press Controls, Menno Jansen, elaborates on the benefits provided by the system ordered by ASDS: “The IDS-3D enables ASDS to measure colour density in line with the CIElab system, without register marks. This will give them three key benefits: 1) reduced numbers of operators; 2) better printing quality, and 3) the IQM will automate the technical and quality documentation. In turn, these will lead to faster, more efficient and more reliable team work.” Menno Jansen talks about a win-win situation, given the fact that these advantages will give a return on investment within a short period of time.

The recent merger of Q.I. Press Controls and EAE also meant that the investment was a strategic one. Michael Schandelmaier, project manager at ASDS, states that the collaboration between the two companies created the possibility for ASDS to establish a single control platform for the various Axel Springer printing plants. Chairman of QIPC – EAE, Erik van Holten, made it known that the organisations will continue to work closely to develop this overarching control platform: “The respective specialisations of Q.I. Press Controls and EAE enable the entire printing process at Axel Springer to be automated.”