Prinect – the Print Shop Workflow with new functions
Prinect - the Print Shop Workflow from Heidelberg - has
revolutionized process management in print shops. With Prinect,
Heidelberg offers a modular print shop workflow that handles all
management and production data centrally and ensures it is
available whenever and wherever it is needed. The policy is to
quickly integrate new requirements into the Prinect range of
functions.
Heidelberg therefore ensures ongoing
development of Prinect hardware and software modules with a clear
goal in mind: "We want to open up new business opportunities for
our customers and boost their profitability by making their print
shop processes more efficient," says Christopher Berti, Head of
Product Management for Prinect and CtP.
Since drupa 2008, all parts of the print shop - from
management to prepress, press, and postpress -have been fully
integrated in the Prinect print shop workflow.
Get Prinected! - Highlights of the 2009 version
The electronic planning board for optimized print
production (Prinect Scheduler)
The Scheduler is available as an optional module with Prinect
Integration Manager and includes key functions to help the print
shop's material planner. These functions make machine
scheduling far faster, much more precise, and considerably more
efficient. Prinect Integration Manager automatically provides the
Scheduler with all the job data it needs, direct from the JDF job
memory. The Scheduler's planning results are automatically
forwarded to all connected machines, Prinect Cockpits, and Prinect
Data Terminals.
Production feedback (for example on the status of printing
processes and counter readings) is sent to the Scheduler and
displayed. This enables the operator to see immediately whether
production is running to schedule or is subject to delays and/or
other problems. This information is also displayed at every Prinect
Cockpit in the entire print shop and is available at all times.
The Prinect Scheduler electronic planning board reduces the
time required for planning by 5 to 10 hours per week and maximizes
capacity utilization. Time-consuming manual processes that needed
to be performed by experts are now a thing of the past!
A detailed description of the Prinect Scheduler will be
provided in a future issue.
Organize and optimize your postpress operations (Prinect
Postpress Manager)
Prinect Postpress Manager ensures centralized management and
control of postpress processes, thereby providing a link between
the postpress machines' control systems and the Prinect workflow.
This workflow automatically sends job data that has been
formulated in an industry software package, such as Prinect
Prinance, to the relevant postpress machine.
Postpress is similar to the pressroom in that a
differentiation is made between an online link and the offline
"Data Terminal Postpress" link (with or without counter box). With
the latter, older postpress machines, machines of other
manufacturers and workstations for manual acquisition of production
data can be integrated in the Prinect workflow.
The latest generation of postpress machines are designed to
exchange information with Prinect Postpress Manager in real time
(online link).
The operator automatically receives a list of operations for
his machine from Prinect Postpress Manager. Before a particular
operation starts, he can obtain further administrative data such as
the customer details and run length. This facilitates preparations
for production because the operator can prepare for subsequent jobs
while the current one is still under way.
Production data relating to any order can be recorded
manually. The details that were previously written on daily job
slips can now be completed on the fly, for example staggering of
jobs and operations, staff messages (machine operator and
assistants), and explanations of downtimes during production (for
example due to insufficient material).
The machine provides continuous feedback by informing Prinect
Postpress Manager of the progress in production by means of job
counts and speeds. It thus helps ensure that all data required is
recorded. The volumes produced (waste and OK sheets) are assigned
to the respective operations, without the operator having to make
any further entries.
With Prinect Postpress Manager, you are always aware of the
location and status of all part jobs. Your operators know which
jobs are to be processed next and how, and feedback in Prinect
Postpress Manager enables the effectiveness of your postpress
operations to be analyzed with a click of the mouse. As a result,
Prinect Postpress Manager organizes your postpress operations.
Planning results from the Scheduler are also transferred
automatically to all connected machines, Prinect Cockpits, and
Prinect Data Terminals.
Prinect Postpress Manager is a client-server system that
requires an industry software link (preferably Prinect Prinance),
Prinect Pressroom Manager, and Prinect Integration Manager.
The new packaging module "Packaging Pro" enables complete sheets to
be prepared for output based on all popular CAD data formats. 3D
animations facilitate immediate checking of work in progress and
provide views of the finished end product, while data for
presetting postpress machines helps cut make-ready times and waste.
Jobs involving the production of versioned publications can
be processed with much greater speed and flexibility. Any number of
layers can be combined into language versions when a job starts and
can be used throughout processing without needing to give further
consideration to the individual layers.
Reduce consumption costs and combine different jobs for
several customers on a single print sheet. The much more flexible
handling now allows you to define customized job data for each job
and to assign dynamic marks on a mixed form.
Avoid errors and thus unnecessary costs when outputting large
jobs thanks to the new output assistant. Targeted selection of
print sheets, colors, layers, etc. can be performed quickly and
easily.
Major cost savings are made possible by a new function for
proof output. Color marks can be output in the proof in the
ProofColor using a placeholder with reduced area coverage, which
means that much less ink is consumed. This is particularly
noticeable with large ink pick-up fields.
The new Prinect Signa Station now also supports output on
large-format platesetters for the new Speedmaster XL 145 and
Speedmaster XL 162 presses.
Please note: Prinect Signa Station version 4.5 and later
will no longer support the Delta list workflow!
The RIP for maximum productivity in the PDF workflow (Prinect
MetaDimension version 7.5 and Prinect MetaShooter version 4.5)
A range of functions in Prinect MetaDimension version 7.5.1
and Prinect MetaShooter version 4.5.1 have been extended, enhanced,
and updated. The key innovations are as follows:
- Adobe PDF Print Engine: Prinect MetaDimension version 7.5.1
is supplied with the new version 2.0 of Adobe PDF Print Engine. A
number of small improvements make this version more stable
overall than version 1. For certain tasks, the improvements also
result in even shorter process times. This applies in particular
to the step and repeat function, which has now become much
faster.
- The CPSI interpreter has been updated to the latest version
(3018). This version supports the latest PDF version (1.7), which
means that PDF documents of the latest generation can also be
processed using conventional CPSI technology. As before, however,
only Adobe PDF Print Engine fully supports transparencies.
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ColorProof Pro is compatible with the latest models of
leading manufacturers:
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Epson: Units in the x900 series are supported. To
extend the color space, they print with orange and green in
addition to CMYK. ColorProof Pro supports this multi-color
color space, making the Epson x900 series the proofers of
choice for users who often need to simulate a large number of
spot colors with maximum color fidelity in the proof. The
optional integrated spectrophotometer is supported for
printer calibration direct from ColorProof Pro. The
measurement of a media wedge for proof approval is not yet
supported by the current version, but this is planned for the
next version.
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HP: The Z3200 proofer is supported to a limited
extent. It can be operated as a proofer in CMYK mode, but its
multi-color function is not supported. For good proof
results, we recommend using the Z2100 or Z6100 from the HP
product portfolio.
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Canon: The new iPFx100 proofers are supported to a
limited extent. They can be operated in CMYK mode, but the
multi-color function is not supported.
- More recent proofers from all manufacturers produce a
color space that fully complies with the "ISOcoated" standard
for commercial printing in CMYK mode. Simulation of spot
colors is also very accurate for the most part. Only for
extreme requirements relating to the reproduction of spot
colors may it be necessary to use a multi-color proofer. We
recommend the Epson x900 models for such cases. This is the
only series of models for which we support the multi-color
function.
Calibration functionality: The calibration function supports
multi-color systems such as hexachrome (CMYKOG) and HiFi color
(CMYKRGB) as independent process color spaces. As a result, such
process calibrations can now be combined as for a conventional CMYK
process. This facilitates operation and maintains an overview of
calibration curve management.
Prinect MetaShooter:
- It is now much easier than before to manage the individual
separations for a job in the output queue. The detailed view of a
job with the individual separations can be expanded and
collapsed.
- Plates can be post-imaged with a simple click of the
mouse.
- Urgently required plates are immediately put at the front of
the queue with top priority and imaged straight away by the
Suprasetter. This prioritization also applies to plates that are
requested directly from the Prinect CP2000 Center or Prinect
Press Center console using the "Plate-on-Demand" function.
- Prinect MetaShooter now has a function for exporting TIFF-B
files. This function is also ideal for manual archiving of TIFF-B
files on an external data medium.
Options that further boost your productivity:
Paper stretch compensation
Many printing materials tend to stretch as they pass through
the machine, making optimum register accuracy more difficult to
achieve. The paper stretch compensation option ensures absolute
register accuracy without time-consuming distortions on the plate
or other manual devices on the machine. It helps save valuable
machine time and reduce the amount of waste.
Prinect Screening Editor
Special screen systems are needed for specific
applications such as lenticular or multi-color printing. This tool
enables users to create customized screen systems with optimized
features geared to the relevant application. There are two options
- one for lenticular and one for multi-color screen systems.
The perfect combination of prepress, press, and postpress
(Prinect Prepress Interface version 4.5)
For the first time, it is now possible to send color
presettings to sheetfed offset presses of other manufacturers such
as manroland, KBA, Komori, and Ryobi. Goss web offset presses can
also be connected.
In addition, Prinect Prepress Interface version 4.5 offers
enhanced job processing functions such as automatic adjustment of
perfecting jobs. Completed jobs are now deleted automatically. A
job can also be processed again in Prinect Prepress Interface with
a single click of the mouse.
Customers can install the Prinect Prepress Interface 4.5
upgrade on existing V4.x installations themselves, without
Heidelberg Service needing to be present. The SSU service team is,
of course, always available to talk customers through the
installation process over the phone.
Prinect Prepress Interface is now also available in Korean.
Further languages have been integrated for the online help.
The new software suite from Heidelberg for processing PDF
documents (Prinect PDF Toolbox version 4, comprising the following
Adobe Acrobat plug-ins):
Powerful analytical and correction functions have been added
to the "PDF Report" tool, which forms part of the PDF Assistant,
turning it into a sophisticated preflight tool. Because it has been
almost completely redeveloped and geared specifically to print shop
requirements, there is absolutely no need for additional PDF
checking tools.
If you have a use for all the PDF tools, you can obtain a
license for the complete Prinect PDF Toolbox. This gives you access
to the full range of functions.
Heidelberg has an effective entry-level impositioning program
for the 50 x 70 cm format that will be familiar from Prinect
MetaDimension 52i - Prinect Imposition Editor.
If you are looking for a cost-effective solution to automate
your routine Normalizer, preflight, color adjustment, and trapping
operations, simply upgrade from the Prinect PDF Toolbox to Prinect
Prepress Manager P, which is an entry-level Prinect solution. This
page-oriented Prinect module automates PDF data preparation and
processing of the individual pages but has no layout or output
functions.
Efficient production starts at the prepress stage (Prinect
Prepress Manager 4.5)
The Prinect Prepress Manager (formerly Prinect Printready
System) offers enormous time savings by its control and automation
functionalities for all prepress processes. The new version 4.5
delivers more time and material saving functionalities that come
from Prinect Prepress Manager itself as well as from the
integration with the new Prinect software versions of the modules:
Prinect Signa Station 4.5, Prinect Remote Access 4.5, Prinect
Archive System 2.5, Prinect Content System 1.5, Prinect PDF Toolbox
4, Prinect Integration Manager 4.5 and Prinect Pressroom Manager
4.5).
The new key features of Prinect Prepress Manager 4.5 are:
- Further improvement of the great new Versioning Option
introduced with Prinect Prepress Manager 4.0. It offers
cost-effective, safe and highly automated handling of versioned
jobs in prepress (different languages or regional versions with
(ideally) only Black color plate changes). That includes
automated input file splitting into base and versioned content,
comparative version checks preventing production errors as well
as facile and safe proof and plate making mechanisms.
- The Prinect Cockpit now being better than ever. It offers
efficient new filtering and sorting mechanisms for better
production overview. Many changes based on customer feedback make
it a lot faster and convenient to use: This is a noticeable
improvement for everyday work, especially when processing large
jobs.
- The new Preflighter Advanced from Heidelberg - a new
dimension for print relevant PDF preflighting: Quick,
comprehensive and easy to use with a clearly laid out parameter
set and preflight reports directly leading to and highlighting
the "troublemakers".
- A new Coating Option for "on-the-fly" coating plate
generation is available.
- A dedicated plate approval step is now possible, with only
the presetting data for approved plates being sent to the
press.
- Customized DeviceLink profiles of the Prinect Color Toolbox
can be integrated into the automated workflow and make ink saving
color conversions in there.
- Customers with high throughput demands can use Windows 2008
64Bit Server Operating System.
Prinect Prepress Manager 4.5 also offers enhanced
functionality for BookletProof, repeat job handling, and the color
control strip workflow. We have once more reduced the installation
times.
Making optimum organization and archiving of print job data
child's play (Prinect Archive System and Prinect Content
System)
It is quick and easy to find and retrieve repeat jobs with a
reference to the archived job.
The DVD robot support in Prinect Archive System enables DVDs
to be burned and printed automatically.
"Old" Mac files are now supported for transparent copying and
moving between AFP and SMB volumes. The system works with the
"ExtremeZ-IP" AFP server to convert files and file names from Mac
OS to Windows OS and vice versa.
The new Signa Planner included from Prinect Prinance version 4.7
offers the option of specifying production details other than the
usual costing data during order entry. With the help of the Signa
Planner, it is now possible for the person dealing with the job to
prepare a planning sheet ready for production (including the number
and order of fold sheets) and forward it to production for
impositioning with Prinect Signa Station (from version 4.5.10).
The information and control center for all processes (Prinect
Integration Manager and Prinect Pressroom Manager)
Prinect Integration Manager is the control center for the
entire production operation. All production data is stored
centrally in Prinect - in the JDF job memory and the master
data memory. This unique concept enables integrated production in a
system that covers prepress, press, postpress, and the link to the
management information system.
The core functions of Prinect Pressroom Manager include
delivering all job data for the press - including format, printing
stock thickness, and color presetting data - and production
analysis.
The following is new to both
Prinect Integration Manager and
Prinect Pressroom Manager:
- Upgrade of the
Analyze Point tracking and reporting tool with long-term
statistics, the Productivity Monitor, and quality reports.
The new functions make production much more transparent.
Analyze Point version 4.5 offers production evaluations as a
basis for sound decisions. New functions include long-term
statistics (comprehensive counter data for each connected machine,
with annual, monthly, and daily figures / analysis of the waste to
ok sheet ratio in percent), quality reports that can be used to
evaluate the quality data from Prinect Image Control in job
reports, and the Productivity Monitor. This provides key data on
time, speed, and quality compared with an ideal production scenario
and indicates the overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), i.e. the
press productivity. Potential for improvement can be identified at
a glance, and the success of optimization measures already
implemented is easy to check.
Prinect Postpress Manager
See "Highlights"
Online Customer Connection
The Internet portal for the Prinect production workflow (Prinect
Remote Access)
Prejob handling has been enhanced with a search function
when uploading files. Job-independent uploading/downloading of
files to/from customer-specific locations is now possible. Pages
can be replaced interactively using the Page List Handling
function. Job tracking has also been optimized. Job details can be
displayed for customers on a selective basis. Trim boxes are now
visible on the soft proof, which can be printed with comments.
Process optimization through direct customer connection (Prinect
Direct Access option of Prinect Prinance)
An "Open Web shop" supports requests requiring a quick
response and enables simple and straightforward order processing,
including payment by credit card. This provides access to an even
larger customer base that can order products from the Web shop.
Combination of Prinect Remote Access and Prinect Direct
Access
The combination of Prinect Remote Access and Prinect Direct
Access makes it possible to receive not only online requests from
customers, but also - thanks to Prinect Remote Access - the actual
layout data in good time for forwarding to production. It is thus
possible to check in advance that the layout data actually sent is
as specified in the job request. It is not uncommon for the
customer to request a quotation for a four-color job but then to
place an order for a five-color job. The quotation would then no
longer be correct. This discrepancy can now be spotted before the
order is accepted because Prinect checks that all key parameters
tally. If both products are installed, there is now just a single
login. This was not the case with previous versions.
Color and Quality
Tools for perfect color management (Prinect Color Toolbox
version 3.5)
The correct reproduction of gray values is a key quality
criterion in printing. Until now, printers have mainly used visual
checks to achieve the correct gray balance by changing the
thicknesses of the ink layers for solid tints during setup.
However, this can result in unwanted changes to all tonal values
that are difficult to manage and also create new color deviations.
The additional corrections required increase the amount of paper
waste and result in longer makeready times.
The new "gray balance optimization" function of the Prinect
Color Toolbox now offers a solution. The correct gray balance can
be achieved during platesetting thanks to precise process
calibration. With this method, the operator prints a test form
after the printing plates have been linearized and calibrates this
to generate the necessary measurement data. Data records can be
derived from these colorimetric measurements and the reference
printing conditions to enable precise process calibration.
With its Profile Tool, Calibration Tool, and Quality Monitor
modules, the Prinect Color Toolbox also enables simple, continuous
monitoring of the printing process.
The spectrophotometric inline measuring system for maximum
productivity (Prinect Inpress Control)
This system is now available for the Speedmaster XL 145
and Speedmaster XL 162. It measures the color control strip
spectrophotometrically in the press and does so on the fly.
Color measurement and control in the quality control strip
(Prinect Axis Control)
Prinect Axis Control is now available for the 35 x 50 cm
format.
Print Version