New demands are forcing wide-web printers to require augmented quality and capabilities from their presses. Press suppliers share what is driving these demands and how today’s offerings can help printers fulfill their customers’ heightened exp

By Kate Sharon

Most all of the process/production improvements can be tied directly to advances in electronics and machine vision systems. W&H presses now include capabilities for press speeds up to 2,000 fpm; automatic roll splicing; direct drive of the plate and anilox rolls; automated inking, wash-up systems, and viscosity control; dynamic impression setting; pre-makeready capabilities; and automated web inspection, defect detection, and registration control. Integration of these capabilities has reduced the manpower requirements for operating the press and significantly increased throughput, accuracy, and reliability.