This tabletop, transmission densitometer displays Density, Density Difference, %Transmission, and % Opacity.

The CLM interfaces automated sheet fed and web press consoles with scanning densitometers to automatically adjust the ink keys to maintain color quality throughout the press run.

Eplex™ is an Ink Key Presetting System which will measure conventional metal plates or read digital CIP files to give percentage images coverage for each plate. EPLEX with its PSM™ Press Side Module is flexible enough to be used on many different brands of press consoles. Using digital information allows for high level of precision for low coverage area and text.

Eplex-Lite™ is an inexpensive ink control system for presetting presses which will read digital CIP files to give percentage image coverage for each plate. Eplex-Lite is a compact system in one unit and that allows for high level of precision key presets for low coverage area and text.

The IQ150 is programmed to display clearly worded prompts which allows operators to not need instructional manuals. The IQ150 measures density and computes density difference, dot area, and dot gain. The densitometer simultaneously displays all the filters densities showing the major filter in large lettering.

The IQ200 is programmed to display clearly worded prompts which allows operators to not need instructional manuals. The IQ200 calculates density and computes density difference, dot area, and dot gain, as well as contrast, trap, hue error, and grayness. The densitometer simultaneously displays all the filters densities showing the major filter in large lettering.

The IQ4000™ is a portable spectrodensitometer that gives L*a*b*, L*C*h, and L*u*v* values.

Printers Can Save Time and Materials The PLX Plate Scanning System represenis an extraordinary advancement in an area of great potential savings: press makeready. Using the PLX Plate Scanner, predict optimal fountoin preset for each plate, on every press, quickly and accurately.. .and save enormous amounts of press time and materials.

Accurate Image Area Calculations The PLX Plate Scanner can run six jobs simultaneously, allowing plates to be scanned as they become ready. The PLX scans a plate in only 10 seconds to determine image coverage and automotically calibrates to each plate on every scan. When all plates have been scanned, the data is sent to the pressroom.

Ink Key Preset The transfer of scan data to the pressroom is dependent on the press console and is accomplished via floppy disk or serial link. Scan data may be expressed as percent image coverage or ink key preset depending on the requirements of the press console.

Multiple Press Operation The PLX is very flexible and can support several different press lines at the same location when used with the optional Tobias PSM (Press Side Module). Each press is assigned its own PSM with customized hardware and software for proper data transfer to the press console. In addition, each PSM stores the print characteristics of its press for optimum ink key presets. In operation, the PSM receives scan data from the PLX which is then stored on the PSM until needed. When the job is to be printed, scan data is then converted to key preset values and is transferred to the press console to preset the fountains.

Press Interface The PLX interfaces with most modem presses and third-party fountain retrofit systems, either directly or via PSM as determined by site requirements. Typical installations include:

Baker-perklnsDauphin Graphic MachinesHarrisHeidelbergKBA-planetaKomoriMitsubishiRockwell Graphics-GossRockwell-Hantscho

Immediate Payback The Tobios PLX Plate Scanner, by determining optimal press fountain key presets, saves expensive makeready time and reduces waste by as much as 50%. During start-up, an experienced pressman can use the PLX to accomplish real savings of time and materials—up to an hour per run, and hundreds of press sheets or on entire roll of paper. For printers, producing saleable sheets earlier in the press run has become a proven means to:

Greater ProfitsIncreased CapacityFaster MakereadyReduced Waste

The portable Paper-Chek measures paper brightness, cast, and RGB reflectivities which enables paper inspections at point-of-receipt quickly and accurately. It monitors paper supplies for compliance with specified tolerances.

The Plate-Chek offset plate densitometer measures dot area on plates. Its optical head automatically chooses the appropriate filter for the color of the images being read and with a specially designed optical head ensures accuracy.

The RBP portable black-ink densitometer has a high level of precision packed in a rugged case. The compact "personal" densitometer is ideal in pressrooms and camera departments.

Back by popular demand, at a popular price - the RCP™ Personal Densitometer! The RCP measures halftone and solid ink densities for color and black & white printing. By having a color selector switch it is ideal for measuring one color without having additional filter readings to confuse the display.

The SD3 quickly scans colorbars on press sheets, performing automatic densitometric evaluation of ink density, dot gain, gray balance, and trap, the SD3 instantly displays scan results as easy-to-read graphic charts.

Commercial Colorbar Features

With years of success manufacturing scanning densitometers, Tobias now offers the SD3. Fast, accurate, easy to learn…and loaded with features.

Features

Touch Screen operation with Windows® based software uses easy to understand iconsReads most commercially available colorbars as well as custom-made colorbars and gray balance barsBuilt-in certified calibration plaque allows for automatic calibration to Standard T-Ref or Status “T” valuesCustomer can assign ink density "target values" from either house densities or customer “OK”Allows for multiple unit networking capabilitySupports "closed loop operation" with many automatic press consolesGenerates complete sets of reports for quality control departmentsMeasures colorbars as narrow in height as 1/16” (1.6mm) using patented "Seek & Find" software programScans 40” colorbars in less than 10 seconds

The Tobias Associates SDT Scanning Densitometer provides quick, accurate scanning of color & gray balance bars. The results are delivered in keyzones for rapid ink-key adjustments by the press operator or closed loop operation. Tobias also offers a complete set of digital colorbars.

Precision Color Evaluation There's only one way to manage color effectively, meet customer expectations, and maximize job profitability! That is: Objective Color Measurement. In other words, densitometry. Essentially this is a matter of reading a colorbar for solid ink, dot gain, or other density-derived characteristics. However, the limited trim areas of a short cutoff press require use of narrow 1/16" (1.6mm) bars for color control. No other device on the market can do this.

Overview of Basic Operation Setting up a press is logical and uncomplicated. After keying in job parameters (type of press/sheet size/colorbar structure), position the colorbar between two horizontal scribelines and against the side guide. The vacuum hold-down secures sheet placement and the SDT does the rest.

A typical scan takes only 10 seconds. As the SDT scanning head travels across the press sheet, it strokes the colorbar VERTICALLY to determine bar position and skew. On the scanning head's return trip, having detected the skew of the colorbar, the head scans right down the middle of the bar for accurate densitometric readings.

SDT Scanner The SDT has an accurately flat, rugged platen with vacuum hold-down. The design supports the bridge and measuring probe head. Unique pass-through feature allows the entire press sheet to slide freely under the bridge, enabling scans of centrally located colorbars and bars at the bottom of the sheet.

SDT Intelligent Analysis Sampling a few sheets during the run provides an immediate comparison of performance to specifications. And by charting long-term trends, the SDT becomes an essential quality assurance tool.

Statistical analysis of the entire job file is performed by SCP software that comes with the system. Color-coded graphical displays show X-bar and range data for each scan. A frequency histogram generated from readings charts the distribution.

Flexible Modular Design The SDT Scanning Densitometer system includes all the components needed for effective color management. Its modular design allows for the convenient placement of the components according to the layout of your pressroom.

Features

Reads most standard colorbars as well as custom-made colorbars and gray balance barsBuilt-in certified calibration plaque for automatic calibration to Standard T-Ref or Status "E" valuesCustomer can assign ink density "target values" from either house densities or customer "OK"Allows for multiple unit networking capabilitySupports "closed loop operation" with most automatic press consolesGenerates complete sets of reports for quality control departmentsMeasures colorbars as narrow in height as 1/16" (1.6mm) using patented "Seek & Find" software programScans colorbars in less than 10 secondsOne SDT can serve multiple presses simultaneouslyVacuum hold down and rugged construction built for the pressroom

Total Color Control It's as important to you as it is to your customers. In today's competitive printing industry,increasing pressure to adopt reliable process control means objective color measurement. Now with the SXY Scanning Densitometer, color swatches can be measured ANYWHERE on the press sheet. Shorter makeready time gets you up to color fast with less waste and means a big improvement in daily production levels.

Fast, Accurate Advanced 2-dimensional scanning in a few seconds Densities are rapidly measured and recorded as the scanning head sweeps across the sheet, methodically evaluating your targeted points along both X and Y axes. The SXY measures absolute or relative density, dot grain, trap and contrast for comparison with your "OK" sheet or reference standards. A press sheet can be completely scanned in a few seconds.

The SXY lets you switch quickly among the running jobs in a few keystrokes – no need to reinitiate the entire sequence.

Point & Click Set-up is as easy as pointing your finger Just move the laser pointer on the scan head to the swatch to be measured and "click" the pushbutton, locking its position to memory. A vacuum hold-down ensures sheet flatness and stability. That's it. In seconds, the SXY is ready for operation, handling up to several hundred swatch positions per sheet.

To read color bars, click on the start and end points. The SXY does the rest. The layout of repeating minibars or color block patterns scattered between labels and in packaging tucks may be stored in memory for rapid set-up.

SXY scanning capability:

Color barsIndividual targetsRepeating patterns, i.e. labels, folding boxes

Real-Time Analysis Intuitive, interactive control helps keep your presses running The SXY simplifies total color control. Job setup is simplified by step-by-step instructions on screen that guide you through the operation. Choose from various display modes to review crucial print characteristics such as density, trap and dot gain. A high-resolution color display continuously shows the relative error of all selected points. Unique graphics make it easy for operators to detect areas that are out of tolerance. As a result, problem areas are quickly spotted and corrected before time and materials are wasted.

Versatile Maximize quality and productivity The advanced capabilities of the SXY help your personnel maintain a total QC environment, without special programming requirements or extensive training.

CHOICE OF COLOR BARS. The SXY has a library of standard color bars which is easily extended to include custom color bars. Unlimited 2-axis scanning is ideal for monitoring multiple minibars.

ACCURATE ALIGNMENT. Press sheets may be aligned by means of mechanical front/side guides or an automatic two-point skew adjustment feature.

FLEXIBLE TYPES OF DISPLAYS. Various screen displays can be readily configured to suit the requirements or taste of the user.

LARGE-CAPACITY DATA STORAGE. Your press and ink data is stored for convenient access in job setup. Unlimited job storage is divided into categories of your choice for easy identification and retrieval.

SELF-CALIBRATING. Calibration is executed in seconds by the software control program, to save time and ensure accuracy.

SYSTEM ENGINEERING. The SXY is available as either a stand-alone system or as part of a complete color control network. The basic equipment includes the SXY scanning system with PC-compatible computer, high-speed thermal printer, SVGA color monitor and SPC software.

The Tobias TB+™ B&W Computing Densitometer delivers transmission density and dot area measurements to graphic arts personnel with speed and simplicity. The Tobias TB+ densitometer measures diffuse transmission densities of black and white films. The unit requires no warm-up and is very accurate and repeatable. Readings are displayed on a large LED readout. The unit is very durable and requires a minimal amount of maintenance.

This tabletop densitometer displays transmission density and density difference.  It can also be used for determining the coating thickness on metallized film.

This table top densitometer displays transmission density, density difference, and positive/negative dot area.

See the TBX1000™ densitometer.

See the TBX1500™ densitometer.