At the FTA INFOFLEX event held May 6–7 in New Orleans, BST North America is presenting solutions and products with a focus on flexographic printing. At booth 403, the local team is presenting a demo unit for 100% inspection. Visitors can learn about the latest solutions for color measurement (including two new features), web guiding, register control, color management, workflow, automation and BST eltromat’s enhanced partnership with its partner, Colorware.

As printers already know, color measurement and analysis are a complex topic. To simplify the setup of its color-measurement tool, BST eltromat’s collaboration partner Colorware, developer of the color-management software MeasureColor, is now the connecting element between the pre-press and the iPQ-Spectral on the machine. A new software feature, COLOR DATAPreparation, additionally simplifies setup of iPQ-Spectral. The software is installed in pre-press, production planning or quality management to prepare the data for inline spectral color measurement. Measurement positions and L*a*b*, density or tone values can be entered manually or imported as CxF files. COLOR DATAPreparation then generates virtual print-control strips and transfers them to iPQ-Spectral before printing begins. iPQ-Spectral is set up automatically. At the same time, MeasureColor hands over setup data, such as L*a*b* target values, to iPQ-Spectral. The inline spectral color measurement system uses the information to make settings based on orders. MeasureColor, in combination with iPQ-Spectral, reduces setup times and avoids input errors. iPQ-Spectral, in turn, provides MeasureColor with continuously updated color data during the print job. Therefore, machine operators get recommendations for action during the print job to help stay within tolerances. The interaction between MeasureColor and iPQ-Spectral makes everyday working life easier for machine operators. The companies have been working together since Labelexpo Europe 2017, and during the last two years they have strengthened their close partnership. The first installation of this software link, in combination with two iPQ-Spectral units, was successfully installed in February at a print shop in North America. The BST North America team will inform FTA INFOFLEX attendees about this partnership and its advantages for machine operators.

In addition to the improved input channel for the iPQ-Spectral via COLOR DATAPreparation and cooperation with MeasureColor, BST eltromat has developed another new feature: SMART DATAPreparation for the iPQ-Center, to support customer workflow . This option links the iPQ-Center module with, for example, ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems. Order data, such as job names and numbers, formulations, reference values and measurement positions, can then flow directly from these systems to the iPQ-Center. The abbreviation iPQ stands for increasing Productivity & Quality and with its 4 With four modules, it covers the highest requirements for quality assurance. In addition to iPQ-Spectral and iPQ-Check, the iPQ-Center also includes iPQ-View, for web monitoring and iPQ-Workflow, which connects the other modules in a comprehensive quality assurance process. This modular system offers extensive possibilities for quality assurance in order to achieve the best production results.

iPQ-Check, the iPQ-Center module for 100% inspection, will be presented with a demo at BST North America’s booth in New Orleans. High-speed image acquisition, provided by high-performing color line scan cameras, is used to monitor print quality across the entire printing format. With up to four 3-chip line scan cameras, it is possible to cover web widths up to 2.90 meters with high-resolution print inspection. The early detection of defects reduces waste and ensures that customers’ quality requirements are met without compromise. iPQ-Check is quick to set up and easy for the operator to use, thanks to its intuitive menu structure with gesture control.