NDC Grafisch Bedrijf in Leeuwarden is the largest printing and publishing company in the north of the Netherlands. Q.I. Press Controls (QIPC), the Dutch specialist in measurement and control equipment for the graphic industry, will retrofit their manroland GEOMAN press, consisting of 6 printing towers, with the complete automation package. With this, NDC Grafisch Bedrijf will be able to save on raw materials and a maintain a stable and optimal print quality.
NDC Grafisch Bedrijf had a long-time desire to invest in renewal and expansion of the existing press automation with closed-loop colour control. "Such automation is nowadays part of the standard equipment of a modern newspaper printing plant," says Henk Pronk, Operations Director, at NDC Grafisch Bedrijf. "On the one hand, it provides savings on raw materials and further process optimisation. On the other hand, it will increase the print quality and stability of all our productions, both daily and weekly, as well as commercial orders. That is why we are looking forward to the cooperation with QIPC very much. Up to now we have experienced it as very pleasant and collegial, resulting in quick feedback on questions and remarks," concludes Henk Pronk.
Full circle
NDC Grafisch Bedrijf's investment consists of the complete automation package for the 6-tower manroland GEOMAN. IDS-3D cameras will measure and control colour density, colour register and damp with added functionalities; fan-out light and smart pre-setting for ink and damp. The mRC-3D cameras will control the cut-off and side-lay register. They have also chosen to automatically control the waste valve, which will result in minimal waste. To round it off, the quality management system (IQM) will document and report the printed quality.
Paul Mutgeert, Coordinator Press Planning at NDC Grafisch Bedrijf: "The solutions of QIPC offer many functionalities, which realise a high level of automation. We've heard nothing but positive experiences about QIPC from fellow newspaper printers. Also within our own group of Mediahuis, to which we are part of since the beginning of 2021." NDC Grafisch Bedrijf is the last of all Mediahuis' production facilities to be automated with QIPC. We’ve come full circle.
Partnership
The collaboration between QIPC and NDC Grafisch Bedrijf / Mediahuis has always been seamless and this will certainly be continued with the new set-up. Printers and technicians will be supported and trained during the installation and commissioning of the closed-loop press automation. "The QIPC systems are maintenance-friendly and reliable," says Arjan Rozema, Manager Maintenance. "If service support is required, it is readily available and offers service-oriented solutions. Everything is aimed at continuity. We have set sharp and challenging targets with regard to raw materials and print quality. It really appeals to us that QIPC also wants to commit and realise these with us."
Finally, Erwin van Rossem, Director Global Sales & Marketing at QIPC, concludes: "Extremely proud and pleased that we were able to receive this automation project. NDC was no QIPC user before, so it's an extra challenge for our team to achieve the promised objectives. As icing on the cake, during our 25th anniversary year, this is our 3rd domestic order; a fantastic gesture of appreciation from our home market."
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