Offset Printing

PECOM-X: cross-over into the future

Wednesday 15. October 2014 - manroland web systems offers innovative networking and automation solutions to make print production grow together

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 merge offset and digital printing.
Optimal networking and automation based on experience: manroland web systems has pioneered complex integration solutions with PECOM for many years. This market leadership will be further enhanced by the new PECOM-X generation. Dr. Ing. Gregor Enke, Head of Automation 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 our entire networking and automation offer, previously known as printnetwork, into clearly organized product groups for the five automation levels.” The futureproof concept also guarantees that the existing hardware and software can be retrofitted. This may for example 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 prepress and integrates the various finishing systems. This way, PECOM-X forms the basis for cross-media print applications.
Function-based automation
The printing system is fully automated and the press operator controls the process and ensures the quality. manroland web systems is closer to this aim than any of its competitors with the new operating concept and the fully automatic plate (APL and APL logistics) and reel handling (AUROSYS). PECOM-X incorporates software and hardware on five levels that handle all functions required for efficient, economical print production and finishing. From evaluation via networking and operation up to the production process and its control. Within this scope, manroland web systems also presents new products: MasterQ optimizes digital printing production, the ControlCenter operating system is even more convenient, while the inline color control IDCµ has been newly introduced to newspaper printing.
Level 1: Evaluation/Diagnosis
In this area, PECOM-X offers: process optimization from the outset with PressMonitor. This component monitors and analyzes production in the printing company. The automated system collects key production figures and the resulting data evaluation constitutes the basis for decision making and process optimization. The operator can track the production process on the go via smartphone or tablet PC.
Level 2: Networking/Planning
In this area, PECOM-X offers: excellent planning as a basis for autoprint. 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.
MasterQ. 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, operation 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.
MobilPad with manroland STORE. You can now access the manroland STORE from the mobile control console MobilPad, which features a new, smaller and lighter hardware base. The online service portal flexibly supplies the printing company with customized wear and spare parts as needed, which the press operator can select immediately from the press. This browser-based solution offers exceptional data security.
SlidePad. The ink key positioning SlidePad offers more convenient measurement results and operation. It is now wider and the operator can adjust, measure, and subsequently alter the ink zones, dampening solution, registers and fountain rollers for the entire newspaper page. In addition, the SlidePad is tiltable and easy to operate thanks to its variable positioning.?
WorkflowBridge. The software offers industrial automation for digital finishing.
The module automatically adjusts all folding components, any required job information is delivered via an open interface by JDF/JMF file. To avoid production stops, the WorkflowBridge verifies the validity of each job before it is processed.
Level 4: Process/Inline Control
In this area, PECOM-X offers: integrated quality controls. This quality package includes inline control functions for ink density, color register, cutoff register, fanout and lateral ribbon offset. Offering the highest degree of integration on the market, this makes newspaper production completely efficient. A new innovation is the inline color control system for newspaper printing (IDCµ).
IDCµ. “InlineDensity Control with micromarks”, IDCµ for short, is the new fully integrated color control for newspaper printing. It offers unprecedented process stability. The press operator can carry out target value adjustment fully automatically, directly on the central control console. The required order parameters are provided by the PressManager. The subsequent evaluation of the ink density measurement takes place via the PressQuality reporting module.
Level 5: Drive/Press Control
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.
Non-proprietary hardware. This latest controller generation based on common standards is a realtime I/O system that offers the required shortest possible timing intervals as well as efficient production. The control is excellently suited for retrofitting, as the software can be easily integrated with different PC generations. The space-saving system is distinguished by its fast performance, high component quality and easy handling.