Use of traversing measurement modules has enables manroland and partner grapho metronic to create what its says is a more affordable solution to ink density control.

The company's motorised InlineDensity Control system has just been retrofitted to a 2004 Rotoman heatset press at Druckhaus Haberbeck in Lage, Germany. Product manager Florian Fejfar says the aim was to a low-cost in ink density control system: "Using traversing measurement modules allows us to offer a much lower cost price at the same measurement quality and precision, and we can now offer uncomplicated upgrades to existing presses," he says.

At Haberbeck, the Rotoman prints small runs with frequent job changes, flying language, price, and image changes. Technical director Günter Wolf says the company was already familiar with the standard system used on a Lithoman press and wanted to use it on the existing Rotoman if the cost could be kept down.

A 'plug and play' installation, avoiding software changes and reducing follow-up adjustments."Press operators are unable to make measurements at this speed and level of accuracy," says Wolf, "and process stability has improved substantially."