Software

LaserGraver systems for Computer-to-Plate technologies are supplied with software RIP FlexWorks. This software package presents a combination of conventional RIP PostScript and powerful instruments to operate with rasterized bitmap images (so called digital films). Thus FlexWorks is a software of open type and provides compatibility to all pre-press systems.

Input information from the pre-press system could be presented in format PostScript. Thus there is provided a full compatibility with both a large number of conventional pre-press software for Mac and PC (like FreeHand, Illustrator, Photoshop, CorelDRAW, QuarkXPress), and with special systems of packaging design. Fine tuning of platemaking and printing processes is provided. An operator has a possibility to set up frequency and angles of screening, to choose a shape of raster dot, to define necessary distortion and scaling of image, and more others. The powerful calibration mechanism allows linearizing the halftone level transfer not only for the image recorded on the plate (on thin mask layer of the digital photopolymer), but also for entire printing process. This feature allows to stabilize a quality of printing for wide spectrum of materials, inks and anilox rollers.

FlexWorks has a Client-Server architecture. Main part of data processing work is carried out by the special module of software package, Server, that works under Windows 2000/XP (Intel/PC platform). If necessary it can be run on very powerful multi-processor computer capable to provide entire image data processing for a large flexoprinting facility. The input data files can come from various computer systems (Mac, PC, Silicon Graphics, Sun). To control the data processing process a separate client module, Client, is used. It can be located at any computer of a network and presents, actually, a control panel of Server. Due to powerful algorithms of parallel calculations Server can simultaneously process several PostScript-files from several users (Clients).

Since the FlexWorks is open type software it doesn't limit a user in choosing the RIP. There is possible to work with any RIP PostScript having a function of exporting the rasterized (bitmap) image in form of TIFF format. The FlexWorks is successfully tested with Nexus, FlexRIP, OpenRIP Flexo, Harlequin. And, sure, a more and more popular scanning technology "Dot-to-Dot" is also supported.

For bitmap images prepared by any way (through FlexWorks or any other RIP) FlexWorks package has several software instruments, for example, screen proofing and imposition.

Screen proofing module, ColorViewer is intended to check the bitmap files (digital films) prepared for recording onto digital photopolymer by the LaserGraver. One can combine color separations of a job where each digital film is colored with "own" color. This approach has a great difference with respect to one used for proofing the PostScript-files where neither raster structure transfer nor reproduction of solid objects are guaranteed. The digital film is just an image that will be recorded on the mask of digital photopolymer, therefore all elements of future printout can be checked with guarantee. By ColorViewer one can investigate the image with any zoom factor, to check the ink overprinting and trapping, the raster and rosette structure, percentage of each color in each pixel of image, thickness of lines, etc.

Imposition, module Imposer, enables to combine several images (for example, color separations) in one job. This function makes it possible to arrange images presented in form of separate files with high geometrical accuracy. The imposition procedure is carried out with bitmap files, i.e. after processing the source PostScript-files. As result, it is possible to mount several images side by side in one batch on one plate. One can combine color separations or small images repeated (typical for labels printing), or just a set of different images with various features (frequencies and angles of screening, raster dot shape, etc.) to provide optimum capacity of LaserGraver and other photopolymer processing equipment.

A well-known problem of flexo - "death zone" in highlights - could be easily solved by applying the technology of hybrid rasterization ComboScreen. This technology combines the advantages of stochastic (frequency modulation) raster in highlights and regular raster in the rest halftone range. Thus using the ComboScreen enables to print smooth halftones beginning just from 1%!

The data transfer from host PC to LaserGraver is provided through standard computer, so it is possible to use a long cable (up to 12 meter) that is important for real operation conditions in shop. The Spooler, a FlexWorks module responsible for data transfer from host PC to LaserGraver, provides control of all technology parameters of image recording on the mask layer of digital photopolymer. In case of large volume of data to be recorded it is recommended to provide a separate computer for the Spooler to control the LaserGraver.