Analysis of the characteristics of Klaus newspaper CTP workflow
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With the rapid development of the newspaper market, newspaper printing factories urgently need to improve the printing quality of advertisements, reduce the entire printing process, especially the pre-press time, improve the timeliness of news and the printing quality of newspapers, and improve in the industry. The market competitiveness has become an important issue that needs to be solved by newspaper printing houses, and it also brings good opportunities for the promotion and application of CTP.
As a new and mature plate making technology, CTP direct plate making process is adopted by more and more newspaper printing factories. Compared with the traditional CTF process, CTP reduces the intermediate process of film, plus its necessary The computerized large-format output process makes the output speed of CTP significantly better than the original CTF, and also ensures the overprinting accuracy of color printing products and the quality of the dot products. For newspaper printers, how to choose the right CTP front-end digital workflow is very important, because it is related to the economic efficiency and productivity of the printing house.
Based on the needs of development, the Guangzhou Daily Press Center introduced two CTP systems from Krause, Germany, including Krause CTP LS-JET 300, Krause Haase OE 40 processor and Nela VCP-EVO in 2007. 900 image control automatic punching, bending machine, automatic plate transfer device and dedicated workflow management system Krause JetNet.
The following describes the workflow characteristics of the CTP system and some experiences in the application process:
First, the Krause JetNet workflow
The Krause JetNet workflow is a production management system for digital production control after the RIP process. The basis of the JetNet workflow is Tiff G4 data generated by RIP. The JetNet workflow can also be selected for the management of PS and PDF data (Figure 1 shows the flow diagram for JetNet2).
1. The JetNet workflow includes the following components
1.1 Krause LaserStar (LSS) server module. Includes one LSS server software, one LSS backup software and two LSS client software. Its core functions are the reception, storage and output of production data, and the additional functions are the control and adjustment of the bitmap.
1.2 fold hand module can be automatically impositioned in the form of a full page according to the production task settings.
1.3 Ink setting module (CIP3/CIP4), which is used to pre-calculate the hiding power of the ink when the printer is set to ink. Includes a MAN ink color setting software and a WIFAG ink color setting software.
1.4 proofing module TPU NEWS, the module receives the exposure data in the form of TIFF G4 data after RIP, and generates proofing data for screen display (soft proofing) or desktop printer output (hard proofing). The generated file allows visual proofing of colors and content. The view is based on a spreadsheet with a color name and its RGB three colors, which can be changed separately, including the ability to convert from CMYK four colors to RGB three color data, allowing ICC files to optimize color calculations.
2. JetNet workflow has the following characteristics
2.1 With at least 300 system capacity of 4 open color layouts, at least 200 4 open color layout tasks (including layout processing, automatic imposition, pre-display generation, CIP3 data generation, etc.) are completed within 1 hour.
2.2 Adopt fully open industry standards, modular design; support the latest XML, JDF; flexible upgrade and expansion.
2.3 can monitor all aspects of production in real time, such as: file transfer, imposition, layout confirmation, CTP output, punching and bending, etc.
2.4 The system can set user rights for each workbench, and can operate and authorize each workbench, and the control is flexible and safe.
2.5 can install anti-virus software, do anti-virus processing, and upgrade virus software.
2.6 can accept the output of Founder Century RIP.
2.7 has perfect production data automatic backup, data recovery function, manually switch the software dog; can manually start the backup server to ensure that production is not interrupted due to computer failure.
2.8 Exposure jobs can be output to all devices that work with Tiff G4 data. KRAUSE LaserStar series CTP platesetter, a variety of imaging equipment, different types of platesetters from different manufacturers or desktop printers compatible with TIFF G4, hard proofing system.
2.9 Work output supports load balancing, which can load balance CTP equipment and punching machine. Different CTP assignments can be assigned depending on the plate size. It is equipped with a bar code management system to ensure that the same set of plates is exposed on the same CTP, processed on the same bending machine, and the same CTP and punching machine are automatically retrieved when the plate is replenished, and the automatic error tracking is performed.
Second, after nearly two years of use, summed up some practical experience
1. Staff training
CTP plate making system is a comprehensive multi-disciplinary technology industry, which includes precision machinery and optical technology, electronic technology, color digital image technology, computer and software technology, new printing plate and material technology, automation technology and network technology. The automatic production system therefore puts higher demands on the operators. According to our experience, CTP operators are divided into general operators and technical maintenance personnel, and targeted training:
Ordinary operators are mainly ordinary operations of the plate making process, including the line drawing of the Regier platesetter and punching, punching and bending equipment, training CTP basic plate making knowledge, simple computer operation knowledge and simple routine maintenance knowledge.
In addition to the knowledge acquired by ordinary operators, technical maintenance personnel must have a full understanding and understanding of the working principle, optical path principle, network digital process, computer interface technology, RIP process, and routine maintenance and emergency handling of CTP equipment. A comprehensive training of technicians is required.
For the newspaper industry, CTP is a new plate-making technology. Prior to the CTP, early training of operators and technicians will facilitate the smooth introduction of CTP.
2. The CTP workshop is best able to build a separate yellow lighting workshop.
CTP sensitized plates are very sensitive to natural light (including common lighting). Even very weak light can completely expose the entire plate exposed to light. The processing of the plate can only be done under the yellow safety light in the darkroom. get on. Therefore, it is better to build a separate workshop with a yellow safety light in the CTP workshop, so that in the event of a CTP failure, the machine can be safely opened, the fault is handled, and the PS version that has been transported to the exposure station is reloaded into the loading plate. The car continues to be used to save plate material, reduce production costs and avoid unnecessary waste. In the early stages of CTP use, this is especially important because operators are not familiar enough with the machine, and there are many misuses and human faults.
3. Keep the PS version flat
The Krause LS Jet 300 CTP is a platform-type automatic positioning and exposure platemaking machine that requires a very high level of flatness for the PS version. When the LS Jet is exposed, the PS version absorbs the PS plate on the platen through the small hole of the plate. Because the plate is not flat, the vacuum is failed, and the exposure table does not enter the exposure program and directly outputs the plate, so the PS plate Be sure to keep it flat and not have the phenomenon of curling. In addition, when the operator puts the plate into the trolley, the flatness of the plate will also cause the exposure to fail.
4. Regularly clean the laser light path
After using the LS Jet exposure plate for a period of time, the laser head and the prism are stained with dust, which causes the light intensity to attenuate, affecting the exposure of the PS plate and affecting the printing quality. Therefore, regular cleaning of the light path is necessary. The Raychem plate-making machine has a laser light intensity detection device that can be displayed as a percentage on a computer by software. When the light intensity is less than 80% (maximum 100%), optical path cleaning is required. Cleaning the light path actually removes the lens and the reflective prism, so special tools such as lens paper, acetone, and tweezers are required.
5. Regularly optimize the process
CTP is a digital network process, whether it is a folding version, layout transmission, ink presets, digital proofing, etc., all through computers and networks. Computer processing speed and network connection speed directly affect the entire CTP production speed, so it is also necessary to regularly check the network and optimize the digital flow.
From the use of the Claus CTP system introduced by our newspaper in the past two years, the advantages are obvious: the printing plate is clear, the level is rich, the quality is stable and reliable, the plate making speed is fast, and the printed newspaper can quickly reach the ink. Balanced, colorful, accurate overprinting and clean layout meet the requirements of timeliness and quality of newspaper printing.