An iPad-like tablet you can take to production meetings is the latest device in manroland’s ‘One Touch’ control systems armoury.

New concepts for web presses were shown at the World Publishing Expo in Frankfurt last week following their DRUPA launch

The touch screen devices include MobilPad and UnitPad tablets for press control during maintenance, and are set to replace conventional operating keyboards and keypads.

manroland web systems says Athesia Druck in Bolzano, Italy, will be the first with the new technology, on a triple-wide Colorman XXL autoprint press. Orders covering single-width Cromoman and Uniset presses are set to follow, and the technology will be available as a retrofit.

Taking a lead from Web 2.0 systems, the devices deliver relevant information with intuitive touch control. “The concept defines the press operator as a production process manager and supervisor,” sales executive vice president Peter Kuisle announced last week.

Following ideas and suggestions from operators and scientific usability studies – as well as input from pilot customers – engineers in Augsburg integrated functions into the system. These include ink zones and registers, which can be actuated via gestures and group selection.

Images from webcams can be accessed from the ControlCenter and MobilPad (pictured) enabling the monitoring of reel storage or mailroom.

The new One Touch concept uses four matched hardware modules and one software programme, with only the ControlCenter still located in a permanent position. The other two modules are mobile, and can be used to make adjustments where they are needed,

In autoprint mode, an invisible hand appears to guide the processes, with only events that might require action displayed. The mobile version can be taken to specific locations, or even to a meeting to display press performance statistics.

The SlidePad quality management tool slides along the bottom of the product tray and combines the navigation and control for colour, fountain roller, water and colour register.