Signastation 6.0 from Heidelberg
05/17/2000
Digital impositioning and management of the CIP3-PPF workflow
The Signastation plays an important role in prepress, putting together the individual pages into a printing form and at the same time generating the CIP3-PPF (Print Production Format) data required for the seamless processing of the job by press and postpress. At the DRUPA exhibition, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) will be demonstrating the current Version 6.0 of its Signastation imposition software, which can be used in different workflows and for different RIPs to process both PDF and PostScript. It also has new features for packaging printing (see special "Signapack" press release).
When the Signastation is working in the Prinergy workflow management system, it generates job tickets containing all the information about the imposed sheet including all its control marks. If a change in printing presses means that last-minute modifications are required, the Signastation quickly and reliably performs all the necessary corrections in its interactive dialog with the workflow system.
Pages can also be exchanged until shortly before output in the Delta workflow, and the Signastation carries out impositioning directly using ready-interpreted Delta lists. In order to save time, the Delta lists can be compiled directly on the output system using the SignaMerger. And it goes without saying that the Signastation also controls PostScript RIPs and - where necessary for older RIPs - can even impose PDF jobs and convert them into PostScript files for RIPping. This means that PostScript RIPs remain available to the PDF workflow right up to the point when the full sheet is created.
Flexible, automated operation with permanent visual control
The library in the Signastation contains planning sheets for popular printing presses. The appropriate imposition layout is automatically generated complete with page layout and numbering from the integrated folding sheet library, to which individual folding plans can be added at any time. It is also possible to generate one's own imposition layouts using the layout editor or to impose them manually on the monitor. Obviously all these processes take place under constant visual control.
There is a whole range of functions to make life easier, including language versions generated in additional colors which can be incorporated into the black separation if desired. Creeping or bottling allowances are automatically calculated for the whole piece of work. In-house elements can be added at any time to the selection of cutting, folding, color and collating marks and characters available.
The Signastation uses the OPI function to reduce data volumes. This means that low-resolution data is used for the imposition process and then exchanged for the high-resolution data just before output onto film or plate. The LM-Includer or SignaMerger compiles the sheet just prior to output. Up until that point, very small files containing the job name and page status of the signature are used. This takes a considerable amount of strain off the network and enhances productivity.
CIP3-PPF information for communication with press and postpress
A whole range of information from the prepress production stage is useful to the next stages in the processing workflow - i.e. printing and finishing. Sharing this information can cut subsequent work preparation time. It includes information for color control systems, automatic register control systems and folding and cutting machines. The Signastation bundles the information, adds administrative data such as job name and sheet number, and makes it available as CIP3-PPF.
The Prepress Interface system from Heidelberg evaluates the PPF and passes it to the printing press, where it is used for presetting ink zones, setting automatic register control and controlling and regulating the printing press. The PPF is transferred online for setting up the folding machine and programming the cutting machine.
The advantages of this method, which spans different systems and production stages, are clear - makeready times and waste are reduced to a minimum, and errors and duplications in job preparation can be avoided. In times of shrinking print runs and a growing volume of individual jobs, the CIP3 workflow managed by the Signastation is the perfect way to harness additional rationalization potential.
For further information:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Thomas Fichtl
Tel.: +49 (0)6221 92 47 47
E-mail: thomas.fichtl@heidelberg.com
The Signastation plays an important role in prepress, putting together the individual pages into a printing form and at the same time generating the CIP3-PPF (Print Production Format) data required for the seamless processing of the job by press and postpress. At the DRUPA exhibition, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) will be demonstrating the current Version 6.0 of its Signastation imposition software, which can be used in different workflows and for different RIPs to process both PDF and PostScript. It also has new features for packaging printing (see special "Signapack" press release).
When the Signastation is working in the Prinergy workflow management system, it generates job tickets containing all the information about the imposed sheet including all its control marks. If a change in printing presses means that last-minute modifications are required, the Signastation quickly and reliably performs all the necessary corrections in its interactive dialog with the workflow system.
Pages can also be exchanged until shortly before output in the Delta workflow, and the Signastation carries out impositioning directly using ready-interpreted Delta lists. In order to save time, the Delta lists can be compiled directly on the output system using the SignaMerger. And it goes without saying that the Signastation also controls PostScript RIPs and - where necessary for older RIPs - can even impose PDF jobs and convert them into PostScript files for RIPping. This means that PostScript RIPs remain available to the PDF workflow right up to the point when the full sheet is created.
Flexible, automated operation with permanent visual control
The library in the Signastation contains planning sheets for popular printing presses. The appropriate imposition layout is automatically generated complete with page layout and numbering from the integrated folding sheet library, to which individual folding plans can be added at any time. It is also possible to generate one's own imposition layouts using the layout editor or to impose them manually on the monitor. Obviously all these processes take place under constant visual control.
There is a whole range of functions to make life easier, including language versions generated in additional colors which can be incorporated into the black separation if desired. Creeping or bottling allowances are automatically calculated for the whole piece of work. In-house elements can be added at any time to the selection of cutting, folding, color and collating marks and characters available.
The Signastation uses the OPI function to reduce data volumes. This means that low-resolution data is used for the imposition process and then exchanged for the high-resolution data just before output onto film or plate. The LM-Includer or SignaMerger compiles the sheet just prior to output. Up until that point, very small files containing the job name and page status of the signature are used. This takes a considerable amount of strain off the network and enhances productivity.
CIP3-PPF information for communication with press and postpress
A whole range of information from the prepress production stage is useful to the next stages in the processing workflow - i.e. printing and finishing. Sharing this information can cut subsequent work preparation time. It includes information for color control systems, automatic register control systems and folding and cutting machines. The Signastation bundles the information, adds administrative data such as job name and sheet number, and makes it available as CIP3-PPF.
The Prepress Interface system from Heidelberg evaluates the PPF and passes it to the printing press, where it is used for presetting ink zones, setting automatic register control and controlling and regulating the printing press. The PPF is transferred online for setting up the folding machine and programming the cutting machine.
The advantages of this method, which spans different systems and production stages, are clear - makeready times and waste are reduced to a minimum, and errors and duplications in job preparation can be avoided. In times of shrinking print runs and a growing volume of individual jobs, the CIP3 workflow managed by the Signastation is the perfect way to harness additional rationalization potential.
For further information:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Thomas Fichtl
Tel.: +49 (0)6221 92 47 47
E-mail: thomas.fichtl@heidelberg.com
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Gabriele Butzke
Tel.: +49 (0)431 386 13 28
E-mail: gabriele.butzke@heidelberg.com
Gabriele Butzke
Tel.: +49 (0)431 386 13 28
E-mail: gabriele.butzke@heidelberg.com
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