Since the advent of computer controlled exposure units, flexo printing has made unprecedented breakthroughs in quality levels. Following such advancements, combined with the development of new, different materials in plate formats and with higher line screens for producing halftones, more efficient quality control is now a priority. AniCAM 3D with plate and sleeve function allows users to achieve the desidered accuracy level and keep it constant.
The instrument is particularly suited to the needs of the label printing, corrugated fiberboard and newspaper industries, where accurate readings of dot percentage in halftones, surface inspection and relief measurement are necessary.
AniCAM 3D is able to measure and analyse flexo plates in both curved and flat printing, negatives, quality prints and dot structure in halftones.
BENEFITS AND KEY POINTS
- This easy to use tool makes sure that plates, negatives or black layers are properly calibrated, ensuring a faultless mounting phase.
- As it enables printers to check printed works, the digital scanner AniCAM helps solve time-consuming and costly printing problems.
- The “dot profiling” function allows to check dot shape and, more importantly, to see the first constant dot on the plate at the end of the process; the certainty that the first printed dots are correct will help reduce press setup costs, waste and possible reprints.
- The AniCAM can be easily placed on the material and does not come into contact with the measuring area, so the dots are not compressed, which results in very accurate readings of dot percentage that allows to get the “dot profiling”.
- Because the AniCAM is portable, measurements can be carried out in the printing or pre-printing rooms or in the anilox store, with sleeves or flat materials, making it a very practical and versatile tool for every printing environment.
- All the measurement related information and images can be printed or exported for use with other software (like Excel or other databases) for comparisons between records and current data, in order to keep quality constant.
DOT PERCENTAGE, SCREEN CALCULATIONS AND MEASUREMENTS
It is possible to check the reading of dot percentage from high to low screen percentages and screen calculations in only a few seconds. Images appear on the monitor in full colour.
In the example shown here we get 3,3% dot and 130 DPI line screen.
In the picture of the barcode line width is 180 micron, measured on the plate surface.
DOT PROFILING ANALYSIS
Dot Profiling analysis is a way to visualize dot profile in high lights between 1 and 15%. It allows to visualize and analyse dots from the side. The scanner captures a number of pictures taken at different focus depths down to the base level of the plate. Then the software removes all rough parts and combines the different levels to obtain a 3D model that can be analysed and rotated in any direction.
3D rotatable rendering in scale for dot analysis
The analysis chart of the Dot Profile visualizes a digital section of the plate and allows direct measurements like angle and dot heights.
WHAT CAN BE MEASURED:
It is possible to measure:
- Line screen in terms of LPI (Line/inch) or LPCM (Line/cm)
- Dot percentage
- Dot Profile (dot shape, height, shoulder, etc)
- Distances and diameters
- Screen angles
COAXIAL AND RADIAL LIGHT
AniCAM is equipped with two light sources. The coaxial light is directed straight down onto the surface of the material and reflected back up the path and onto the camera. It is essential for autofocus and readings.
The radial light is an 8 LED ring system that is designed to radiate light into the cells, which leads to an optimum illumination for most accurate readings.
Coaxial light alone / coaxial + radial lights
DIGITAL ARCHIVE AND REMOTE VISUALIZATION
For further analysis, images captured by AniCAM can be sent to a PC (e.g. by email to the plate trade shop). They can be archived in their original format containing all the necessary data and measurements for retrieval and evaluation. In order to open the images on your PC you only need AniCAM Remote Viewer software, available for free.
For further details, please do not hesitate to write to us at customercare@ditom.it.