iCPlate2 Plate Measuring Device User Guide Edition 2.
1 2 Table of Contents General 3 5 2.1 INTRODUCTION 7 2.2 BRIEF GUIDE TO THE MANUAL 8 2.3 SAFETY 9 2.3.1 Warning 9 2.3.2 General safety tips 9 2.4 PACKAGING AND TRANSPORT 10 2.5 BASIC EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES 10 2.6 ACCESSORIES 11 2.6.1 PlateQuality Software 11 2.6.2 Capture Tool software 11 2.6.3 iCPlate2 Target 11 Table of Contents 1 General 2 Operation 3 Appendix 4 3 OPERATION 13 3.1 FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS 15 3.2 FIRST STEPS FOR USE 16 3.2.1 Power-saving mode 16 3.2.
3.7 VISUALLY CHECKING THE DOT 3.8 MEASURING A PLATE CHARACTERISTIC CURVE 3.9 iCPlate2 MAINTENANCE AND CARE 3.9.1 RESET 3.9.2 Replacing the batteries 4 APPENDIX 4.1 TECHNICAL DATA 4.2 SERIAL INTERFACE 4.3 Upgrade to iCPlate2 XT 4.4 DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY 4.
2 General 5 2.1 INTRODUCTION 7 2.2 BRIEF GUIDE TO THE MANUAL 8 2.3 SAFETY 9 2.3.1 Warning 9 2.3.2 General safety tips 9 2.4 PACKAGING AND TRANSPORT 10 2.5 BASIC EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES 10 2.6 ACCESSORIES 11 2.6.1 PlateQuality Software 11 2.6.2 Capture Tool software 11 2.6.
2 General 2.1 Introduction Congratulations! You have just acquired the portable plate measuring device iCPlate2 made by X-Rite. This device solves one of the most difficult tasks in the printing industry – quick and accurate quality control of the Computerto-Plate (CtP) process. iCPlate2 meets the needs for the most popular offset litho and polyester plate types with AM and FM screening.
2.2 Brief guide to the manual Descriptions marked with a only apply to the iCPlate2 XT and are not part of the iCPlate2 X specification.
2.3 Safety 2.3.1 Warning For safety reasons it is absolutely necessary to read through the user’s guide and all of the instructions it contains. 2.3.2 General safety tips If the safety recommendations and instructions in this User Guide are not complied with, this can lead to measurement errors or data loss or involve physical injury or damage to property. 2 • iCPlate2 is not intrinsically safe. Therefore the device cannot be used in an environment where there is a risk of explosion.
2.4 Packaging and transport Always forward iCPlate2 in the original device case to avoid damage. Safeguard the measuring foot by pushing back the locking device. X-Rite rejects any liability for damage to the iCPlate2 during transport that can be traced back to inadequate packaging or an unsaved measuring foot. 2.5 Basic equipment and accessories The iCPlate2 and the associated standard accessories are supplied in a device case.
2.6 Accessories To perform and document quality control, it is often necessary to save the measured data on a PC. 2.6.1 PlateQuality Software The PlateQuality software stores, visualizes, and documents both individual measurements and plate characteristic curve measurements. This gives the operator a saved, visual dot reference to refer back to when needed. Both measurement values and plate images are stored in a database. 2 2.6.
3 OPERATION 13 3.1 FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS 15 3.2 FIRST STEPS FOR USE 16 3.2.1 Power-saving mode 16 3.2.2 Toolbar 17 3.2.3 Identifying the symbols 17-21 3.3 ADJUSTING DEVICE SETTINGS 22 3.4 FOGRA Measuring Bar FMB setting 23 3.5 INPUTTING A REFERENCE CURVE 24-25 3.6 MEASURING 26-31 3.6.1 General 26-27 3.6.2 Calibration 28 3.6.3 Measuring standard plates 28 3.6.4 Measuring polyester plates 29 3.6.5 Measuring film 29 3.6.6 Measuring paper 30 3.6.7 Measurement values 30-31 3.
3 Operation 3.
3.2 First steps for use Release the measuring head by sliding the locking device on the left side forward. After opening initially or after pressing the button (red button on the bottom side of the measuring head, the startup screen appears on the display. The version number of the firmware and the device serial number are shown on the bottom left of the screen. If you have technical queries, please communicate this information to the manufacturer.
3.2.2 Toolbar The toolbar appears on the right on the display and displays the functions available using symbols. A cursor (black frame surrounding the symbol) can be moved through the toolbar using the and buttons (see section 3). The function designated by the cursor is executed by pressing the button. In normal operating mode the cursor fades out after approximately 5 seconds, so that no undesired function is executed by the user mistakenly pressing the button.
3.2.3.
3.2.3.
3.2.3.4 Other functions Transfer current record (binary image or characteristic curve) to the host PC Device is calculating (during measurement and data transfer) Device is changing over to power-saving mode Add reference value Delete reference value Restart and delete all previous settings 3.2.3.
3.2.3.
3.3 Adjusting device settings After unpacking or after pressing the button, you can use iCPlate2 to begin measuring standard plates using the factory settings, or change the display of the device settings by selecting the ‘Next display’ symbol Important: Standard plates and polyester plates are measured with a red LED. Use of the blue LED or green LED is only recommended when the coloring of the plate has a strong proportion of light pink hues (e.g.
3.4 FOGRA Measuring Bar FMB setting Select the measurement mode in the device setting (chapter 3.2.3.3): iCPlate2 measurement mode The iCPlate2 measures according to the X-Rite iCPlate2 (or iCPlate II) standard. The iCPlate2 measures compatible to all other iCPlate2 (or iCPlate II) devices. In this mode the iCPlate2 uses the specially developed plate measurement algorithm, where the dots can be accurately detected.
3.5 Inputting a reference curve The user can switch to ‘Input a reference curve’ by selecting the function in the settings window (see section 3.3). You will find the toolbar on the left side of the LCD. An XY diagram of the defined sample points for the current reference curve is shown on the LCD. The X axis corresponds to the nominal value and the Y axis to the reference value.
Example: Inputting a reference curve with the sampling points 5, 10, 30, 60 and 90. • Select the reference curve window from within the settings window. • Select the function with the or button and execute this using the button. All reference values are reset. • Select the function and execute this function repeatedly until the nominal value is equal to 5% (press button 5 times).
3.6 Measuring 3.6.1 General Important: For repeatable measurements, it is recommended to hold the measuring head on the right and left side approximately at the level of the locking element and to lower it. Incomplete lowering of the measuring head leads to a blurred image and consequently to an inexact measurement result. Position the instrument by means of the positioning target on the patch and lower the measuring head. The symbol will appear in the LCD.
For regular screening in the display you will find: Important: In a regular screen, the screen ruling, dot size and screen angle will always be shown if the dot area has closed dots (highlights and shadows). These parameters are not shown for middle tones, especially for chain dots. DOT xx.
3.6.2 Calibration As the iCPlate2 calibration is done automatically, no calibration or “zeroing” on the plate is needed. After inputting into the device the appropriate settings, measurements can be executed without any further calibration. A zeroing on the plate is however required for the “Visual Coverage” value. This zeroing is done by a measurement on the medium (e.g. plate ground). To check the absolute accuracy of the iCPlate2, X-Rite offers the iCPlate2 Target.
3.6.4 Measuring polyester plates Standard plates and polyester plates are measured with a red LED. Use of the blue LED or green LED is only recommended when the coloring of the plate has a strong proportion of light pink hues, as little image contrast is obtained with red illumination. Important: Due to the grainy background of polyester plates the repeatability may be up to +/- 0.8 %.
3.6.6 Measuring paper For paper measurements, automatic color selection allows for quicker work, as no switching between the CMY colors is required. Color contrast is very slight with tones under 10%, so that manual color setting is recommended. For measurements on black, the color (K) must always be selected manually. The iCPlate2 is equipped with a video camera, which measures the geometrical dot size, relevant for plate readings.
3.6.7.3 Dot diameter The diameter of the dots is displayed in µm. The calculation is based on a circular dot of the same surface area. Important: The dot diameter is not shown for middle tones, especially for chain dots in AM screening. In a regular screen, the dot diameter will always be shown if the dot area has closed dots (highlights and shadows). The image analysis algorithms make it possible to display the dot diameter for stochastic screen when the dot area is smaller than 10%. 3.6.7.
3.7 Visually checking the dot After a measurement the picture will be held in the device’s memory until the next measurement and can be displayed or transferred to a host PC at any time by selecting the function. As usual you will find the toolbar on the left side of the LCD with the following functions.
3.
Example: Measuring a plate characteristic curve with the sample points 5, 10, 30, 60 and 90 (45° reference curve): • Select the function with the or button and execute this using the button. All reference values are reset. The nominal value 5% and the reference value 5% are shown. • Measure the 5% patch. The measured value is shown at the top edge of the Y axis and the 5% reference value is shown below it.
3.9 iCPlate2 maintenance and care 3.9.1 Reset If the microprocessor becomes blocked (e.g. after changing batteries or another disruption), then press the button (red button on the bottom side of the measuring head). The device will respond with the start-up display. If you have technical questions for the manufacturer, you will find the firmware version and serial number in this display. Please state these when requesting verifications.
3.9.2 Replacing the batteries The batteries must typically be replaced after 30,000 measurements. The iCPlate2 monitors the battery voltage and shows an ‘empty batteries’ symbol when the batteries need to be replaced soon. Replace the batteries as quickly as possible in this instance. Important: Always replace both batteries at the same time. If you are not using the device for a long time, please take the batteries out of the battery compartment.
4 APPENDIX 4.1 TECHNICAL DATA 4.2 SERIAL INTERFACE 4.3 Upgrade to iCPlate2 XT 4.4 DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY 4.
iCPlate2
4 Appendix 4.
iCPlate2 X Dot size range (FM) Dot diameter resolution Screen angle resolution Visual coverage User Interface Graphical display User interface Power supply Power supply Measurements per set of batteries 2 AA batteries 30,000 (typ.) Data interface Interface Baud rate Serial (RS232) 115,200 Mechanical data Dimensions 4.8 x 7.3 x 14.5cm (1.7 x 2.9 x 5.7 in) Weight Approx.
4.2 Serial interface The iCPlate2 is equipped with a RS232 interface. To obtain access to the serial interface socket, remove the black cover on the rear of the measuring head.
4.3 Upgrade to iCPlate2 XT The iCPlate2 X may be upgraded to an iCPlate2 XT. The functions which you did not purchase initially may be added by inputting a special code. When you request the upgrade from your dealer, you will receive a code allowing you to access the additional functions. To activate the upgrade, proceed as followed: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
4.
4.5 Warranty Information X-Rite, Incorporated (“X-Rite”) warrants each instrument manufactured to be free of defects in material and workmanship (excluding battery pack) for a period of 12 months, unless different local regulations apply. This warranty shall be fulfilled by the repair or replacement, at the option of X-Rite, of any part or parts, free of charge including labor, F.O.B. its factory or authorized service center.
