QuadTech and Muller Martini form color control partnership

The partnership enables Muller Martini customers to ensure accurate color information for the entire web and throughout the print run, and, for the first time, automatically measure and control color on both paper and film.

Prior to the availability of the QuadTech system, Muller Martini customers would typically use a manual process to measure color on films. This would be done by cutting sections from the web, usually during make-ready, and then at the end at changeover. As a result, color defects would often be captured too late, leading to costly production stoppages and substrate waste.

QuadTech said that by removing issues related to web movement and substrate corrugation, its system enables Muller Martini customers to measure precise color on film and provide exact reproduction of brand and special colors. In turn, this allows customers to enjoy the benefits of a streamlined workflow with faster make-readies and reduced waste.

The QuadTech web stabilizer technology achieves this control by momentarily smoothing and flattening the film substrate, at full press speed, for accurate color measurement. The option is also available to existing Muller Martini customers as a retrofit option.

Stephan Doppelhammer, market manager for packaging at QuadTech, said: ‘With 80 percent of Muller Martini presses purchased for printing on films, the ability to control color on these substrates has been a significant objective for the market.

‘We solved the issue by utilizing the key capabilities of our SpectralCam and web stabilizing technologies to compensate for web deviance, and achieve accurate color measurement on opaque, translucent and transparent films as well as on paper.’

Bernd Sauter, chief executive officer of Muller Martini’s press division, said: ‘We strive to find partners that add value to our offering, and in this case, provide our customers with important quality and productivity improvements for increased profitability and competitiveness.

‘With a QuadTech Color Control System with SpectralCam and web stabilizer installed on a VSOP 850 press in our Print Technology Center in Maulburg, Germany, we look forward to demonstrating these benefits to printers and converters first hand.’

Picturd: Stephan Doppelhammer (left), QuadTech market manager for packaging, and Bernd Sauter, CEO of Muller Martini’s press division