OPER AT ING M A NUA L
InkFormulation6 1
OPERATING MANUAL Trademarks • X-Rite ColorQuality™ • X-Rite InkFormulation™ • X-Rite ColorNet® are trademarks and registered trademarks of X-Rite® • WINDOWS® is a registered trademark of the Microsoft Corporation © Copyright X-Rite® 2010 • All rights reserved.
Contents 1 2 3 General 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Registration 1.3 Contact address of X-Rite 1.4 Safety directives 1.5 Notes on using this handbook 9 9 9 10 10 ColorNet 2.1 General 13 Structure and function 3.1 General 3.2 Desktop 3.2.1 Main window 3.2.2 Menu bar 3.3 Basic sequence of an InkFormulation 3.3.1 Selecting the assortment 3.3.2 Checking settings and determining pre-settings 3.3.3 Defining and formulating a target color 3.3.4 Recalculating a recipe 3.3.5 Correction recipe 3.3.6 Saving a recipe 3.
OPERATING MANUAL 7 8 9 Formulating with palette formulation 7.1 General 7.2 Palette formulation 65 65 Loading an existing recipe 8.1 Loading a recipe 8.2 Define target color > Get 69 69 Control of covering power (opacity module only) 9.1 General 9.2 Input of percentage for covering power 9.3 Measurement of target color on white and black 73 73 74 10 Using ink leftovers 10.1 General 10.2 Formulating a target color with ink leftovers 10.2.1 Measuring ink leftovers or loading them from ColorNet 10.2.
16.4 Defining a new application 16.5 Deleting an application 126 126 17 Processing and creating substrates 17.1 Opening database substrates 17.2 Processing an existing substrate 17.3 Defining a new substrate 17.4 Calculating roughness 17.5 Deleting substrates 17.6 Sending substrates 17.7 Exporting substrates 17.8 Importing substrates 129 129 129 131 132 132 133 133 18 Processing and creating substrate formats 18.1 General 18.2 Opening database substrate formats 18.
OPERATING MANUAL 23.2.6 Calculate all combinations 23.2.7 Lab formulation 23.3 Spectrophotometer settings 23.4 Batching systems settings 23.5 Settings display 23.6 Communication settings 23.7 Library folders 23.8 Unit settings 23.9 Set up printer 23.10 Working settings 24 Quitting Ink Formulation 24.1 Quitting InkFormulation 25 Application notes 25.1 Recommended instrument settings 25.2 Measuring patterns 25.3 Colorant calibration series 25.3.1 General 25.3.2 Absorption and scattering of an ink 25.3.
1 General 1.1 Introduction 9 1.2 Registration 9 1.3 Contact address of X-Rite 9 1.4 Safety directives 10 1.
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1 General 1.1 Introduction InkFormulation software provides a fast, accurate and consistent ink formulation, formula creation, storage, approval and retrieval solution for offset, flexographic, gravure and screenprinting inks.
OPERATING MANUAL If you experience problems with this program, please contact your X-Rite representative or us directly at the above address. Please inform us immediately if you discover any errors in our program. We will, of course, eliminate them as soon as we can. Suggestions for improvement We welcome all comments and suggestions for improvement with regard to our programs. Please detail all items as thoroughly as possible so that we can support you in the best possible way. 1.
2. ColorNet 2.
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2 ColorNet 2.1 General X-Rite ColorNet™ completes the circle of complete color data processing in the graphics industry. In the sense of Total Quality Management and the ISO-quality standards, colorant data can be checked and controlled all the way from order receipt and color specimen measurement, on up to the adjustment of the printing press and job delivery. The programs grouped under ColorNet software – usable on WINDOWS – allow direct access to a central colorant database.
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3 Structure and function 3.1 General 17 3.2 Desktop 3.2.1 Main window 3.2.2 Menu bar 18 18 21 3.3 Basic sequence of an ink formulation 3.3.1 Selecting the assortment 3.3.2 Checking settings and determining pre-settings 3.3.3 Defining and formulating a target color 3.3.4 Recalculating a recipe 3.3.5 Correction recipe 3.3.6 Saving a recipe 22 22 22 22 23 23 23 3.4 Managing data 23 3.5 Settings 25 3.6 General operating information 3.6.1 Symbols 3.6.2 Pushbuttons for standard functions 3.6.
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3 Structure and function 3.1 General The inks available for formulating recipes are measured with colorant calibrations and brought together in an assortment. Using the spectrophotometer or ColorNet, you can define your target color and it is then simple to calculate the optimum recipe. In formulating the target color through physical models, the color values of the mixture are determined on the basis of the optical data from the colorant calibrations. The data are then displayed on the screen.
OPERATING MANUAL 3.2 Desktop The desktop of the InkFormulation is based on a graphic user interface. 3.2.1 Main window The main window clearly lays out all the operating elements you need to formulate a target color.
Display “Opacity settings” or “white/black switch box” (opacity module only) This field depends on the formulation setting for the covering power. The opacity required is displayed in the cases transparent, opaque or user-defined. In the case of Target color on white and black substrate selection can be made between target color and recipe on white or target color and recipe on black. See Chapter 9 “Control of covering power”.
OPERATING MANUAL Display “Opacity” (opacity module only) The opacity display indicates the covering power of an ink. See Chapter 9 “Control of covering power”. • low dE[w/b]: high covering power • high dE[w/b]: low covering power (transparent) Display “Price” “P1”, “P2” or “P” is shown depending on setting ( “Recipe output”). see Section 22.2.
3.2.2 Menu bar The menu bar displays the titles of the individual menus. Click on an item to display a list of additional functions. You can execute the following commands in the various menus: • File • Backup and restore database • Change user • Save configuration • Quit InkFormulation The command Save configuration can be used to save the program settings in an *.ifc-file. By double clicking on this file in Explorer, InkFormulation can be opened at any time in the saved configuration.
OPERATING MANUAL The commands Correction recipe and Recalculate in the Formulate menu and all commands in the Recipe menu, relate to the current recipe displayed in the main window. • CxF • e-Recipe* • Database • Settings • Help 3.3 • Browser • Search the inbox for recipes • Create and send a recipe query • Reply to a recipe query • e-Reipe info • Organize the database • Process data from recipes, assortments, applications, substrates, substrate formats, basic materials and film thickness objects.
3.3.3 Defining and formulating a target color You define the target color by measuring the pattern with the spectrophotometer or by loading a reference color from ColorNet , CxF, color guide and Lab or LCh values ( see Section 5.2.3 “Defining a target color”). After the target color has been defined, you will be asked to define the substrate (e.g. paper, etc) on which will be printed. InkFormulation then automatically carries out the formulation.
OPERATING MANUAL • Connect and disconnect databases In the Recipe database you can: • Display designations and additional information • Process existing recipes • Print recipes • Import and export recipes • Batch processing • Delete recipes.
In the Substrate sizes database you can: • Display designations and additional information • Define new substrate formats • Process existing substrate formats • Import and export substrate formats • Delete substrate formats In the Basic materials database (basic materials module only) you can: • Display designations and additional information • Define new basic materials • Process existing basic materials • Import and export basic materials • Delete basic materials In the Film thickness object database you
OPERATING MANUAL • With the menu command Settings > Batching systems, you can pre-select various weighing and batching systems ( see Section 23.4 “Batching systems settings (module weighing and batching systems only)”). • With the menu command Settings > Communication you can select the communications settings (see Section 23.6 “Communication settings”). • With the menu command Settings > Units you can activate Unit conversion (see Section 23.8 “Unit settings”).
3.6.2 Pushbuttons for standard functions Pushbuttons are displayed for standard functions in different windows. No detailed explanation is given for them in the operating sequences: The entries made are saved and the window closed. You quit the window. Entries or changes made are not saved. You can select all entries in a list in order to process them (e.g., print them) and then deselect them when you wish to select an individual entry.
OPERATING MANUAL 3.6.3 Drag & Drop In the database dialog boxes, individual or multiple assortments, assortment colors, substrates, substrate formats etc. can be dragged directly into an Explore window. The data is saved as an ASCII file. This file can later be entered into InkFormulation using Import. 3.6.4 Email For this function, a MAPI compatible email program such as Microsoft Exchange must have been installed.
• Basic materials calculation (included as standard) • Thickness calibration 3.7.2 InkFormulation 6 PrinterPro InkFormulation, full version, without the option of creating and changing assortments. The Printer Pro version is available with the following modules: • Opaque inks (included as standard) • Viscosity calculation (included as standard) • Thickness calibration (optional) • Weighing and batching systems (optional) • Basic materials calculation (optional) 3.7.
OPERATING MANUAL 3.7.6 Opaque inks module (scattering pigments) Inks with scattering pigments can be read-in and calculated with the opacity module. In addition, functions for calculating covering power are provided ( see Chapter 9 “Control of covering power (opacity module only)”). 3.7.7 Viscosity calculation module The viscosity module enables the user to calculate recipes for any viscosities ( see Section 14.4.7 “Entering a viscosity (viscosity module only)”).
4. Starting InkFormulation 4.1 Starting InkFormulation 33 4.
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4 Starting InkFormulation 4.1 Starting InkFormulation The program must first be installed in accordance with the instructions given in Chapter 27 “Installing InkFormulation”. The spectrophotometer does not have to be connected when InkFormulation is started up. Even when you are working with the program, you can disconnect the spectrophotometer for off-line measurements and reconnect it to the computer later ( see Section 23.3 “Spectrophotometer settings”). 1. Start InkFormulation.
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5 Formulating a target color 5.1 General 37 5.2 Formulating a target color 5.2.1 Selecting an assortment 5.2.2 Checking settings and determining pre-settings 5.2.3 Defining a target color 5.2.4 Defining a substrate 5.2.5 Applications 5.2.6 Selecting colorants from the assortment 5.2.7 Entering a concentration range 5.2.8 Formulation mode 5.2.9 Selecting a recipe 5.2.10 Displaying spectra 37 37 37 38 43 44 44 45 46 46 48 5.3 Calculating the ink quantity 49 5.
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5 Formulating a target color 5.1 General Recipe formulation means the calculation of the percentages of a mixture from the colorants available in the assortment selected. The color to be reproduced is designated as the target color. It is measured as a pattern with the spectrophotometer or loaded as a reference color from ColorNet. 5.2 Formulating a target color 5.2.
OPERATING MANUAL b. Formulation settings Check the formulation settings, ( see Section 23.2 “Formulation settings”). Certain inputs (e.g. ink film thickness) can have a considerable effect on the recipe calculation. c. Ink Quantity In the Ink Quantity field, you can enter the desired quantity by overwriting the field or by clicking on the push button with the arrow symbol to increase or decrease the value indicated.
This is necessary because in some cases color measurements taken using Pol and D8i do not coincide with those perceived by the human eye, where the surface properties of the substrates for the target color and the recipe are different (rough, smooth, reflective). Example: Filter Target color Recipe Effect Pol on uncoated paper (rough surface) on coated paper (smooth surface) An instrument fitted with a Pol filter perceives the target color on uncoated as darker than does the human eye.
OPERATING MANUAL Filter setting Measurement geometry Target color or recipe No 45°/0° coated Adaptation no No No 45°/0° 45°/0° uncoated transparent film no no Pol Pol Pol 45°/0° 45°/0° 45°/0° coated uncoated transparent film no yes (brighter) no D65 D65 D65 45°/0° 45°/0° 45°/0° coated uncoated transparent film no no no UV Cut UV Cut UV Cut 45°/0° 45°/0° 45°/0° coated uncoated transparent film no no no D8i D8i D8i D8i Diffus/8° Diffus/8° Diffus/8° Diffus/8° coated uncoated transparent fi
4. In the Substrate type window select the substrate type of the target color (coated or uncoated), when asked to do so. b. Loading the target color from ColorNet With ColorNet, you can use measurement values of stored recipes and also measurement values from any ColorNet application (ColorQuality, X-Rite SpectroServer) as the target color for a new recipe. 1. In the main window, click on the Basic recipe symbol or, in the Formulate menu, on Basic recipe. The Basic recipe window appears. 2.
OPERATING MANUAL d. Loading the target color from CxF With CxF you can select a target of all X-Rite application. 1. In the Basic recipe window, click on CxF. 2. First you have to give the path of the CxF file. The color information (target, recipe, substrate) are listed. 3. Select the information you want to use and continue. e. Accepting current pattern If a target color is already loaded in the main window, the Skip button also appears in the Basic recipe window.
5.2.4 Defining a substrate After you have defined the target color, the Define Substrate window can be used to measure the substrate with the spectrophotometer, to select the substrate of the current assortment resp. recipe or to load a substrate from the database. If you have already measured a substrate or have loaded a recipe, the relevant substrates are displayed as additional options. a. Measuring a substrate with the spectrophotometer 1.
OPERATING MANUAL c. Selecting substrate from database 1. Select the Substrate from database option. The Substrate Selection list appears. 2. Select the desired substrate. 3. The selected substrate is loaded and then the Color Selection window is displayed ( see Section 5.2.6 “Selecting colorants from the assortment”). 5.2.5 Applications In the Applications window you can add additives to your recipe.
1. In the Available colorants field, click on the colorant you want to use for the formulation. 2. Click on the pushbutton with the arrow showing to the right. The colorant appears in the Selected colorants field. You can use the same procedure to return colorants from the Selected colorants field to the Available colorants field. A quicker way of selecting the desired colorant is to double click on it. The colorant is then immediately placed in the other field.
OPERATING MANUAL 5.2.8 Formulation mode The user can differentiate between regular and palette formulation. Choosing palette formulation, the list with the available palette recipes is activated. That window is optional. If you don’t use palette formulation you can deactivate this window in the Settings: Workflow. 5.2.9 Selecting a recipe The recipe list field displays the best recipes on the basis of the selected sorting criterion which has been activated . 1. Click on the desired sorting criterion.
5. Click OK if the recipe displayed in the Recipe list field meets your requirements. The full recipe is then displayed the main window. The right-hand side of the main window displays the target color (pattern), together with the color values and the recipe color, plus the deviations from the target color. The color values and deviations are displayed in accordance with the selected color system ( see Section 23.1 “General settings”).
OPERATING MANUAL If you change the entry in the Ink quantity field, the values for the individual colorant components are immediately updated. You can also calculate the ink quantity needed for your print job ( see Section 5.3 “Calculating the ink quantity”). 5.2.10 Displaying spectra When you have calculated a recipe in the main window or loaded it from the database, you can display the recipe and the target color graphically in different ways.
5.3 Calculating the ink quantity Once you have calculated a recipe in the main window or loaded it from the database, you can calculate the necessary ink quantity from the print order data. 1. Click on Calculate ink quantity in the Recipe window. The Calculate Ink Quantity window appears. 2. Enter the desired values in the Weight per area, Covered area and Circulation fields. The covered area designates the percentage of the substrate which is covered with ink. 3.
OPERATING MANUAL 5.5 Modifying a recipe Normally, you define the color values of a target color by measuring or by loading from ColorNet. Next, you calculate the recipe, which consists of the color components and their quantities. You can use the command Recipe > Modify to carry out the recipe calculation the other way round, i.e. by entering the quantities of the color components. InkFormulation then works out the color values for you.
Keep additive percentage Changes can also be made by varying the ink concentration. The percentages of the additives in the assortment that are assigned to that concentration are recalculated automatically. The ratio of additives to concentration remains constant. Free modification The user can change the recipe ratios without restrictions. The changes have no affect on other ink components. The solvent is handled separately and cannot be changed.
OPERATING MANUAL 5.6 Entering a recipe By using the command button New in the Recipe menu it is possible to enter a recipe manually. After the color and substrate have been defined, the components are selected from the current assortment and their quantities entered. If the color has been defined by a measurement, the recipe can be saved as a palette formulation. If the color measuring process is omitted, then the recipe color is calculated (inverse recipe calculation: color quantities > color values).
7. In the Ink quantity field enter the values for the selected color or basic material. 8. To enter ink quantities for other colors or basic materials repeat the procedure from step 6. 9. If required, change the value entered in the Film thickness field and the Viscosity field (only the viscosity module). 10. If required, change the application clicking on the button: (see Section 5.2.5 Applications).
OPERATING MANUAL 5.8 Initiating data transfer to the batching or weighing system (Weighing and batching systems module only) If a recipe is displayed in the main window, you can use this module to initiate the transfer of recipe data to a batching or weighing system. 1. In the main window, click on the Batching systems symbol or in the Recipe menu on Send to batching system. The Batching systems selection window appears. 2.
3. Define the ink mixture. Proceed in the same way as when defining a target color ( Section 5.2.3 “Defining a target color”). see The ink mixture with deviations from the target color is then displayed in the right-hand zone of the main window. 5.10 Recalculating a recipe If you have already calculated a recipe or loaded one from the database, you can recalculate it with different settings to check the effects without having to redefine the target color. 1. If you wish, select a different assortment. 2.
OPERATING MANUAL 56 5 • Formulating a target color
6 Calculating a correction recipe 6.1 General 59 6.
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6 Calculating a correction recipe 6.1 General If the mix of a basic recipe does not meet your requirements, you can calculate a correction recipe basing on the measurement of the current ink mixture and so achieve a better match with the target color. Selection between the Basic recipe mode and Addition mode can be made with the menu command Settings > Formulation ( see Section 23.2 “Formulation settings”).
OPERATING MANUAL 5. In the Recipe Selection window, select the recipe which most closely matches your requirements ( see Section 5.2.9 “Selecting a recipe”) and click on OK. If the Basic recipe mode is selected, subsequently the main window is displayed (see step 5). The lower area of the window displays the target color (pattern) and color values, the corrected color and the current ink mixture with the deviations in relation to the target color. You can change the existing ink quantity.
6. Click on OK once you have made all the entries. The main window appears. The Recipe field displays the components used in the recipe selected, together with the ink quantities for the basic recipe (left) and the additional ink quantities (right) for the correction recipe (addition mode only). You can add the additional ink quantities by clicking on Add additional ink quantity in the Recipe menu. When you then save the recipe displayed, the additional ink quantity is automatically added.
OPERATING MANUAL 62 6 • Calculating a correction recipe
7 Formulating with palette formulation 7.1 General 65 7.
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7 Formulating with palette formulation 7.1 General The mode Palette Formulation in the formulation workflow offers the possibility to obtain better basic recipes if a recipe “matching” the target color can be found in the database (so-called palette recipe).
OPERATING MANUAL 66 7 • Formulating with pallet formulation
8 Loading an existing recipe 8.1 Loading a recipe 69 8.
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8 Loading an existing recipe 8.1 Loading a recipe The Load menu command is used to load the entire recipe including the associated target color in the main window. 1. In the main window, click on the Load recipe symbol or on Get in the Recipe menu. A list of all the recipes stored is displayed in the left area of the Database: Recipes window. The recipe list can be sorted according to various criteria ( recipe list”). see Section 13.2 “Sorting 2. Click on the desired recipe.
OPERATING MANUAL A list of recipes of the current range is then shown in the left sector of the Database: Recipes window. The recipes are arranged according to the dE X-Rite color distance from the current target color. To sort according to other criteria note Section 13.2 “Sorting recipe list”. dE X-Rite is a quality criterion for using ink leftovers. Among other things, it takes into account the fact that it is very difficult to achieve a pure ink with a dirty ink leftover. 3.
9 Control of covering power (opacity module only) 9.1 General 73 9.2 Input of percentage for covering power 73 9.
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Control of covering power (opacity module only) 9 9.1 General In addition to color optimization the InkFormulation 6 can also take account of the covering power (opacity) of the ink film. This is performed by entering a percentage from 0% (transparent) to 100% (opaque) in the settings for the formulation or, provided the target color to be set is present both on white and black substrate, by an additional measurement of the target color on black substrate.
OPERATING MANUAL The transparent setting is above all designed for translucent printing products such as luminous advertising, transparent packagings, viewing windows of touch panels, etc, while the opaque setting is mainly used where an ink is printed on a colored substrate or a transparent surface is to be covered in color. 9.
10 Using ink leftovers 10.1 General 77 10.2 Formulating a target color with ink leftovers 10.2.1 Measuring ink leftovers or loading them from ColorNet 10.2.2 Loading ink leftovers from the database 78 79 79 10.3 Converting a recipe into a leftover 80 10.
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10 Using ink leftovers 10.1 General Various methods can be applied to use ink leftovers: 1. An ink leftover of unknown composition is available. The leftover is applied in a concentration of 100% (i.e. 100% ink leftover and 0% transparent white) and measured ( see Section 10.2 “Formulating a target color with ink leftovers” or Chapter 15 “Processing and creating leftovers”). It is assumed that the leftover is printed on the same substrate as for the formulation.
OPERATING MANUAL 10.2 Formulating a target color with ink leftovers During the formulation workflow you can activate the Use of Ink Leftover in the Colorant Selection window. The stored ink leftovers of the current assortment are displayed. If you activate the check box Limit Leftovers, then the leftovers are limit to the available quantities. The corresponding limitations on concentration are shown in the Colorant selection window and can be changed there if required.
10.2.1 Measuring ink leftovers or loading them from ColorNet 1. Click on Measure in the Colorant Selection window. The Measure current ink leftover window appears. 2. Define the ink leftover by measuring with the spectrophotometer or by loading from ColorNet. Proceed as for the definition of a target color ( see Section 5.2.3 “Defining a target color”). If the measuring mode in the current assortment is set to On white and black InkFormulation will ask for a measurement on white and black.
OPERATING MANUAL 2. Click on the desired recipe and then on Select. The recipe will be converted into an ink leftover and added to the current assortment. In the Colorant selection window the original designation of the recipe will then be displayed in the Selected colorants field, marked with a $ - sign. 10.3 Converting a recipe into a leftover The menu command Recipe > Convert to leftover can be used to convert an existing recipe into a leftover. 1. Load the recipe which you want to convert. 2.
11 CxF 11.1 CxF: General 83 11.
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CxF 11 11.1 CxF: General CxF is a public standard created by X-Rite for color communication, the main purpose of which is the secure exchange of color information in digital form. The CxF format contains all the key information, and in particular the spectral values of the colors are transmitted. Once colors have been calculated, they can be exported from one X-Rite application (e.g.
OPERATING MANUAL 84 11 • CxF
12 e-Recipe (only e-Recipe module) 12.1 General 87 12.2 Recipe request 88 12.
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12 e-Recipe (only e-Recipe module) Note: The module e-recipe is no longer available in InkFormulation 6. If you purchased the module for a previous version, you can use it in InkFormulation but only with Microsoft Outlook 2000/2003. 12.1 General The e-Recipe module is used to transmit color specifications and recipes via the Internet between the printing firm, which defines and mixes the colors, and the ink manufacturer, who calculates and tests the recipe.
OPERATING MANUAL 12.2 Recipe request 1. In the e-Recipe menu click on Recipe request. 2. Define the target color and the substrate as for formulating a basic recipe ( see Section 5.2 “Formulating a target color”). Then the Recipe request window is displayed. 3. Make the required entries in the entry fields. Assortment/Application: The current assortment is pre-selected.
12.3 Inbox InkFormulation searches in the Inbox of your standard email program for recipe files (*.ifrx). You can load these recipes or formulate them directly. 1. In the main window click on the Inbox symbol. A list of the recipes which have arrived will be displayed. When you click on a recipe in the list, an information window is displayed with a description of the recipe. 2. Continue with processing the recipe by clicking on the command buttons Import, Formulate or Load recipe.
OPERATING MANUAL 90 12 • e-Recipe
13 Managing recipes 13.1 Opening database recipes 93 13.2 Sorting recipe list 93 13.3 Processing an existing recipe 94 13.4 Batch processing 94 13.5 Sending recipes 97 13.6 Deleting recipes 97 13.7 Exporting recipes 97 13.8 Importing recipes 99 13.
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13 Managing recipes 13.1 Opening database recipes 1. Click on Recipes in the Database menu. A list of all stored recipes is displayed on the left of the Database: Recipes window. The name of the database and the current recipe folder are displayed in the title-line. If you want to change the folder, click on Change folder and select the required folder in the dialog window which is displayed. If you want to change the database, note Section 21.3 “Selecting a database”.
OPERATING MANUAL dE X-Rite is a quality criterion for using ink leftovers. Among other things, it takes into account the fact that it is very difficult to achieve a pure ink with a dirty ink leftover. 1. Click in the Sorted according to field and then on the required option in the selection list. If you click on the Search button, the Search criteria window appears. This enables you to reduce the number of recipes displayed on the basis of various criteria. 13.
Following the recalculation, the modified recipes are listed again, showing the relevant Delta E values. This makes it possible to tell at a glance whether the modified recipes are acceptable in terms of accuracy or whether they should be recalculated again in different conditions, e.g. with all colors in the assortment available.
OPERATING MANUAL 2. Enter the required search criteria and click on OK. The recipes corresponding to the search criteria will be displayed in the Database: Recipes window. 3. Highlight the recipes that you want to process. 4. Click on Batch processing. The Batch Process Setup window is displayed. You can specify the conditions for the recalculation of the recipes: Use colorants of respective recipe: Recommended if there is only a slight color difference between the new and old pigments.
5. Make the necessary entries in the Batch Process Setup window and click on OK. The selected recipes will be recalculated and displayed in the Calculated recipes window. 6. If the recipes meet your needs, click on OK. The Database: Recipes window comes up with the recipes in the folder which was selected for the batch processing. The old recipes can be deleted manually if necessary. 13.
OPERATING MANUAL V 6 (without basic materials) Purpose: to permit transfer of recipes without information about basic materials to InkFormulation 6 users. All information about the basic materials is lost. V 6 (with basic materials) The exported file for InkFormulation 6 has all data available. 1. Click on Recipes in the Database menu. 2. Click on the recipe you want to export. If you want to export several recipes together, hold the CTRL key down and then click on the recipes to be exported.
13.8 Importing recipes If assortments and recipes are to be imported, it is important to read in the assortments first and only then the recipes. Recipes can be imported from the InkFormulation 5 and 6. The imported recipes are saved as palette recipes ( see Chapter 7 “Formulating with palette formulation”). 1. Click on Recipes in the Database menu. The Database: Recipes window is displayed. 2. Click on Import. The Import from file window appears. 3.
OPERATING MANUAL The working folder‘s name appears in the title of the window. By choosing the Select option, the folder will be additionally become the active folder. After saving recipes, the working folder is automatically selected as the target location for recipes to be stored. However, the user can select another target folder from the list box at any time. By selecting the corresponding option, a recipe can also be stored back into the original folder.
14 Processing and creating assortments (definition of assortments module only) 14.1 General 103 14.2 Opening database assortments 103 14.3 Processing an existing assortment 14.3.1 Modifying basic data 14.3.2 Processing colorants 14.3.3 Measuring a new colorant 14.3.4 Deleting a colorant from an assortment 103 104 104 104 105 14.4 Creating a new assortment 14.4.1 General 14.4.2 Preparing an assortment 14.4.3 Defining an assortment 14.4.4 Calculating optical data 14.4.
OPERATING MANUAL 102
14 Processing and creating assortments (definition of assortments module only) 14.1 General An assortment is a selection of colorants used to formulate a target color. Each assortment includes one or more transparent white and one substrate. The colorants in an assortment are measured by colorant calibrations and are so declared to the program ( see Section 25.3 “Colorant calibration series”).
OPERATING MANUAL 14.3.1 Modifying basic data 1. Click on Set up in the Define Assortment: xxx window. The Set up Assortment window appears. Here, you can change or add to the designation or additional description of the assortment, as well as adding or deleting standard samples (concentration grades). Proceed in the same way as for the definition of a new assortment ( see Section 14.4.2 “Preparing an assortment”). 2. Make the desired entries and then click on OK. 14.3.2 Processing colorants 1.
2. In the Define Assortment: xxx window, click on Transparent white or New colorant. The Set up transparent white or Set up colorant window appears. Now proceed in the same way as for the definition of a new colorant ( see Section 14.4.3 “Defining an assortment”). Any transparent white which is entered subsequently is treated as an additional transparent white. 14.3.4 Deleting a colorant from an assortment You can delete a colorant from an assortment if you no longer want to use it (e.g. an ink leftover).
OPERATING MANUAL Various entry fields and buttons will be displayed, depending on the process selected: Offset printing: If you activate the Enter yes/no check box, a field is displayed which allows you to enter the target weight per area or the target film thickness for all calibrations of the colorants. If you make no entry, the program will assume that all measurements are based on the same weight per area.
6. Click on Standard samples. The Standard samples entry window appears. 7. Enter the required grades. Click on New and enter the new grade. If a black/opaque white has been defined, you have the option of also entering samples with black/ opaque white. If you have activated the check box Enter concentration, then when the ink concentration is entered the concentration of the transparent white is automatically made up to 100%.
OPERATING MANUAL 14.4.3 Defining an assortment You are now ready to define transparent white and then colorants, opaque white (opacity module only) and black. The following section describes the process for defining a new colorant. The difference with transparent white is that only the 100% concentration grade exists. In each case you must first define a transparent white before you can define a new colorant.
Dye strength: To start with, leave the value at 100%. Then, if a colorant always seems to have a too high or low percentage in the recipe, you can increase or decrease the dye strength. However, be very careful when changing dye strengths! Specific gravity: If all the colorants (including transparent white) have about the same specific gravity, the value can be left at 1.
OPERATING MANUAL 6. Click on the sample you want to measure. The option On white is automatically activated. 7. Prepare the spectrophotometer for the measurement of the respective concentration grade of the colorant calibration and then click on Measure. The measured samples are marked with a color, those which have not yet been measured are marked with a horizontal line. If you want to measure more samples, repeat the procedure from step 6.
14.4.4 Calculating optical data From the measurements (reflections), InkFormulation calculates the optical data of the colorant (absorption and scattering capacity). By means of a theoretical back calculation to the color values of the individual samples, a conclusion can be reached about the quality of the colorant calibration. You can also check the effects, e.g. of a deactivated sample. 1.
OPERATING MANUAL The following display options can be selected: Display Reflection spectra Curve comparison Density spectra k-, s- spectra Absorption(c) Scattering (c) Displayed curve All samples or a selection Comparison between measured and calculated curve All samples or a selection Model parameters “k1 and s1”, “k1”, “s1”, “1/(1+k2)” or “1/(1+s2)” A selectable wavelength between 380 and 730nm Spectra are shown in relation to wavelength (380 - 730nm).
1. Click on Solvent in the Set up assortment window. The Solvent Entry window appears. The Solvent button is only displayed if the Flexo/gravure printing process was selected. 2. Enter the values determined in the Price, Specific gravity and Viscosity fields. 14.4.7 Entering a viscosity (viscosity module only) Following input of the viscosity curves for the inks and transparent white (blend) of the assortment, the program is able to calculate recipes for any desired target viscosities.
OPERATING MANUAL 14.4.8 Division of assortment inks into basic materials (basic materials module only) When a basic materials database has been compiled, the inks of the assortment can be assigned their relevant basic materials in the Set up colorant window. The basic materials contained and the surcharge are allocated here to the ink (basic ink in viscosity module). Following every selection of a basic material, an automatic request is made to enter the percentage proportion (percent by weight).
Basic materials price (P2): This price comprises the prices for the basic materials of the ink and only appears as output field in the Basic materials selection window. Input of prices for the basic materials is performed in the basic materials database ( see Section 18.4 “Defining a new basic material”). If the basic materials prices are not yet defined, a zero is entered for Price 2.
OPERATING MANUAL 14.5 Deleting assortments You can delete an assortment which you no longer need. Note, however, that recipes produced with this assortment lose access to the optical data of the colorants included. 1. Click on Assortments in the Database menu. The list of assortments will be displayed on the left of the Database: Assortments window. 2. Click on the assortment you want to delete. 3. Click on Delete. The Confirm deleting window appears. 4. Click on OK. 14.
1. Click on Assortments in the Database menu. 2. Click on the assortment you want to export in the Database: Assortments window. If you want to export several assortments together, hold the CTRL key down and then click on the assortments to be exported. When exported, they will be written to the same file. 3. Click on Export. The Export to file window appears. In the Filename field, there will be a suggested designation, consisting of the first characters of the assortment designation and the suffix .
OPERATING MANUAL 118 14 • Processing and creating assortments
15 Processing and creating leftovers 15.1 General 121 15.2 Opening the leftovers database 121 15.
OPERATING MANUAL 120
15 Processing and creating leftovers 15.1 General This is not properly speaking a database but a way of quickly accessing the leftovers of the current assortment and their available quantities. New leftovers can be quickly measured. The process is similar to Section 10.2.1 “Measuring ink leftovers or loading them from ColorNet”, but in addition the substrate can also be defined. 15.2 Opening the leftovers database 1. Click on Leftovers in the Database menu. The Define leftovers window appears.
OPERATING MANUAL If for the current assortment the measuring mode is set to On white and black, InkFormulation requests a measurement on white and black. If the measurement on black is omitted, the program assumes that this is a transparent color. 3. Define the substrate. 4. In the Set up colorant window enter a designation and the available quantity and make any other necessary entries. 5. Click on OK. The leftover is displayed in the list of the Define leftovers window.
16 Applications 16.1 General 125 16.2 Opening database applications 125 16.3 Processing an existing application 125 16.4 Defining a new application 126 16.
OPERATING MANUAL 124
16 Applications 16.1 General In the applications database you can define applications for the current assortment. These additives have to been defined in the database basic material before. If you define more than 1 application for the assortment, you can change your additives for the recipe during the formulation workflow. In the assortment you can define how to use the applications.
OPERATING MANUAL 16.4 Defining a new application 1. Click on New in the Database: Applications window appears. The Application window appears. 2. Make the desired entries in the designation. 3. Select the desired additives from the left list and transfer via arrow or double click to the right list. 4. Define the percentage for the additives in the right list. 5. Finalize the entries by clicking OK. The new application is listed in the Database: Applications window. 16.5 Deleting an application 1.
17 Processing and creating substrates 17.1 Opening database substrates 129 17.2 Processing an existing substrate 129 17.3 Defining a new substrate 129 17.4 Calculating roughness 131 17.5 Deleting substrates 132 17.6 Sending substrates 132 17.7 Exporting substrates 133 17.
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17 Processing and creating substrates 17.1 Opening database substrates 1. Click on Substrates in the Database menu. The Database: Substrates window appears. The title line shows the name of the current database. If you want to change the database, please note Section 21.3 “Selecting a database”. On the left of the window is an alphabetically ordered list of all stored substrates. You can also sort them by date of saving. Simply click on the Sorted according to field and select the Date/Time option. 17.
OPERATING MANUAL 3. Click on the field Substrate type. From the list, select those which correspond to the substrate type to be defined. Depending on the substrate type, different entry fields are displayed. Paper, cardboard, opaque film If you select User-defined for the substrate quality, you can enter the roughness value of the substrate to be measured in the Roughness entry field. As well as the hue (remission) of a substrate, the surface quality plays an important role.
17.4 Calculating roughness With InkFormulation it is possible in certain circumstances to use a color assortment which was defined on a non-absorbent substrate (on a substrate with a sealed surface such as Leneta cards, coated paper or white, opaque plastic film), for formulations on absorbent substrates (e.g. on uncoated papers). The purpose of this option is so that a color assortment can be used not only for one particular formulating condition, but as universally as possible, i.e.
OPERATING MANUAL 5, Click on Calculate. 6. Select the assortment. The defined current ink mixture window is displayed. 7. Click on Measure to measure the ink mixture. After measuring, the Recipe Entry window is displayed. 8. Enter the quantities or percentages of the colors contained in the recipe and click on OK. The program calculates the roughness associated with this substrate and shows it in a window as a percentage value. 9.
17.7 Exporting substrates 1. Click on Substrates in the Database menu. 2. Click on the substrate you want to export in the Database: Substrates window. If you want to export several substrates together, hold the CTRL key down and then click on the substrates to be exported. When exported, they will be written to the same file. 3. Click on Export. The Export to file window appears.
OPERATING MANUAL 134
18 Processing and creating substrate formats 18.1 General 137 18.2 Opening database substrate formats 137 18.3 Processing an existing substrate format 137 18.4 Defining a new substrate format 138 18.5 Deleting substrate formats 138 18.6 Send substrate formats 138 18.7 Exporting substrate formats 139 18.
OPERATING MANUAL 136
18 Processing and creating substrate formats 18.1 General If you enter the substrate formats which you normally use, then after formulation, you can calculate the ink quantity needed for a particular print job ( see Section 5.3 “Calculating the ink quantity”) 18.2 Opening database substrate formats 1. Click on Substrate sizes in the Database menu. The Database: Substrate sizes window appears. The title line shows the name of the current database. If you want to change the database, please note Section 21.
OPERATING MANUAL 18.4 Defining a new substrate format 1. Click on New in the Database: Substrate sizes window. The Modify substrate size window appears. 2. Make the desired entries in the Designation and Additional description fields. 3. Click in the Unit field. Select the desired unit (cm or inch) from the list. 4. Click in the Length and Width fields and make the desired entries. 5. Click on OK when you have finished making your entries. You return to the Database: Substrate sizes window.
18.7 Exporting substrate formats 1. Click on Substrate sizes in the Database menu. 2. Click on the substrate format you want to export in the Database: Substrate sizes window. If you want to export several substrate formats together, hold the CTRL key down and then click on the substrate formats to be exported. When exported, they will be written to the same file. 3. Click on Export. The Export to file window appears.
OPERATING MANUAL 140 18 • Processing and creating substrate formats
19 Processing and creating basic materials (basic materials module only) 19.1 General 143 19.2 Opening database basic materials 144 19.3 Processing an existing basic material 144 19.4 Defining a new basic material 144 19.5 Deleting basic materials 145 19.6 Exporting basic materials 145 19.
OPERATING MANUAL 142
19 Processing and creating basic materials (basic materials module only) 19.1 General The basic materials module must be activated to permit basic materials to be processed and newly prepared ( see Section 3.7 “Program versions and auxiliary modules”). The inks and the solvent of the assortment can be split into their basic materials. For this purpose a database of all basic materials available must first be compiled.
OPERATING MANUAL 19.2 Opening database basic materials 1. Click on Basic materials in the Database menu. The Database: Basic materials window appears. The title line shows the name of the current database. If you want to change the database, please note Section 21.3 “Selecting a database”. On the left of the window is an alphabetically ordered list of all stored basic materials. You can also sort them by date of saving. Simply click on the Sorted according to field and select the Date/Time option. 19.
19.5 Deleting basic materials 1. Click on Basic materials in the Database menu. The Database: Basic materials window will be displayed. 2. Click on the basic material to be deleted. 3. Click on Delete. The Confirm deleting window will be displayed. 4. Click on OK. The basic material is deleted. 19.6 Exporting basic materials 1. Click on Basic materials in the Database menu. 2. Click on the basic material you want to export in the Database: Basic materials window.
OPERATING MANUAL 19.7 Importing basic materials 1. Click on Basic materials in the Database menu. 2. Click on Import. The Import from file window appears. 3. Select the drive and the directory from which you want to import the file. The directory selected will display all *.ifgx files. 4. Select the file to be imported. 5. Click on OK. The Confirm import window appears. 6. Confirm the import by clicking on OK.
20 Processing and creating film thickness objects 20.1 General 149 20.2 Opening the film thickness objects database 149 20.3 Processing existing film thickness objects 150 20.4 Defining new film thickness objects 150 20.5 Deleting film thickness objects 150 20.6 Sending film thickness objects 151 20.7 Exporting film thickness objects 151 20.
OPERATING MANUAL 148
20 Processing and creating film thickness objects 20.1 General In the film thickness objects database you can enter the film thicknesses/ weights per area/ink quantities of screens (screen printing) and rollers (flexo/gravure printing). If when you were defining an assortment ( see Section 14.4.2 “Preparing an assortment”) you entered the calibration screen or calibration roller, a different screen or roller can be used for the formulation ( see Section 23.2 “Formulation settings”).
OPERATING MANUAL In the left-hand part of the window you will find an alphabetical list of all saved ink film thickness objects with defined absolute values or “calibrated”. If the object is already calibrated, the relative value is defined for an assortment. You can also sort this by date saved, if you click on the Sort by field and select the Date/time option. 20.3 Processing existing film thickness objects 1.
20.6 Sending film thickness objects In the Database: Film thickness objects window you can select one or more film thickness objects and send them by email by then clicking on Send. Please note Section 3.6.4 “Email”. 20.7 Exporting film thickness objects 1. Click in the Database menu on Film thickness objects. 2. Click in the Database: Thickness object entry window on the film thickness object which you want to export.
OPERATING MANUAL 152 20 • Processing and creating fim thickness objects
21 Setting up and managing databases 21.1 General 155 21.2 Setting up a new database 156 21.3 Selecting a database 157 21.4 Connecting an existing database 157 21.5 Disconnecting a database 157 21.6 Setting up a shared database in a network 158 21.7 Backing up the database 158 21.
OPERATING MANUAL 154
21 Setting up and managing databases 21.1 General InkFormulation can be connected to more than one active database. A database can be opened at the same time by several InkFormulations, running on the same or different computers. Simultaneous access to the same database object is prevented by InkFormulation. In a network, a shared database can be set up on any network computer. However, it is advantageous for data security if the shared database is stored on a file server.
OPERATING MANUAL It is recommended that a separate database is created for each printing procedure. That makes database management easier and reduces the risk of confusion. In each database the subdirectories Assortments, BasicMaterials, Recipes, Applications, Substrates, SubstrateSizes and ThicknessObjects are created. In order to structure the recipe file in a manageable way even where there is a large number of recipes, further subdirectories can be created in the Recipes directory.
21.3 Selecting a database If more than one database is connected to InkFormulation, you must first select the one with which you want to work. 1. Click on Organize in the Database menu. The Organize database window is displayed. 2. Click on the required database in the list and then on Select. All data will now be loaded from the selected database and stored in it. 21.4 Connecting an existing database In order to have access to an existing database, it must be connected to InkFormulation. 1.
OPERATING MANUAL 21.6 Setting up a shared database in a network To create a database on a network, proceed as follows: • Create a new database in the Organize database window using the command New database ( see Section 21.2 “Setting up a new database”). • Enter a network path as the path for the database. It is irrelevant whether a drive is connected to the corresponding network drive or not. • Enter a name for the new database and press OK.
21.8 Restoring a database 1. If you have opened a recipe, close it. 2. Click on Database in the File menu and on Restore in the selection field. The Import backup database window appears. 3. Select the drive and directory from which you want to import the database. 4. Select the backup file. It now appears in the File name field. 5. Click on Open. The dialog window Import backup database appears. 6. Select the required option and click on OK.
OPERATING MANUAL 160 21 • Setting up and managing database
22 Printing 22.1 Layout 22.1.1 Printing a recipe from the main window 22.1.
OPERATING MANUAL 162
22 Printing 22.1 Layout In the settings menu, click on Set up printer. In the Report layout window a list of all available layouts appears in the Layout list. The Recipe layout is the default X-Rite layout with all information for a recipe. The Recipe layout cannot be delete. On the right side of the window you have the following functions: New from existing: Copy to database: Modify: Rename: Delete: Create a new layout based on an existing layout. Single layouts can be copied to the database.
OPERATING MANUAL The additional program NC Report Designer is opened and the layout Recipe is displayed. The layout is split into sections outlining different details: 1) Recipe1 2) Component List 3) Recipe2 4) Graph 5) Additional Data 6) Page Footer All details can be modified. Data items can be moved via drag & drop as long as they stay in the same sections. You cannot move date across sections.
22.1.2 Printing a recipe from the database 1. Click on the Recipe in the Database menu. 2. From the recipe list, select one or more recipes you wish to print. 3. Select the print mode. Standard: Select this option to select an available print layout. Recipe book: Select this option to print the recipe designation, included components, and the amount are listed on. 4. Click OK. The selected recipes are printed.
OPERATING MANUAL 166
23 Making settings 23.1 General settings 23.1.1 Default measuring conditions 23.1.2 Color scale 23.1.3 Illuminants for metamerism 23.1.4 White calibration request 23.1.5 Averaging 23.1.6 Language 23.1.7 User name 23.1.8 Measurement initiation (SpectroEye and Spectrolino only) 23.1.9 Entering new functions 169 169 169 170 170 170 171 171 23.2 Formulation settings 23.2.1 General 23.2.2 Recipe correction 23.2.3 Recipe output 23.2.4 Opacity control (opacity module only) 23.2.5 Ink film thickness 23.2.
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23 Making settings 23.1 General settings General settings Procedure: 1. In the Settings menu, click on General. 2. Select the desired options or make the desired entries ( see following sections). 3. Click on OK once you have entered all your settings. 23.1.1 Default measuring conditions You are free to define the default measuring conditions for the measurement of colorant calibrations, substrates and target colors ( see Chapter 25 “Application notes”).
OPERATING MANUAL 23.1.3 Illuminants for metamerism In the M1 and M2 fields, you can select two illuminants which are needed with recipes for reasons of metamerism. • D65 Daylight (6500 Kelvin • D50 Daylight (5000 Kelvin) • A Electric bulb light • F11 Strip light After a recipe has been calculated, the main window will display the metamerism between the target color and the recipe color for the selected illuminants. The illuminant under M1 is also used to optimize recipes.
23.1.6 Language If necessary, you can select another language. Since you cannot change languages while the program is running, you have to quit and restart before the newly selected language becomes active. 23.1.7 Measurement initiation (SpectroEye and Spectrolino only) If the Initiate measurement also by SPM check box is activated, the measurement can be started either in InkFormulation or by the spectrophotometer. If deactivated, the measurement can be started in InkFormulation only. 23.1.
OPERATING MANUAL This is how the screen appears if an assortment for flexo or gravure printing has been selected in the main window. 23.2.2 Recipe correction You can choose between the Basic recipe mode and the Addition mode. If the Basic recipe mode is selected, an improved basic recipe is displayed in the recipe output in the main window. If the Addition mode is selected, the ink quantities for the basic recipe and the additional ink are displayed separately.
• Basic materials (basic materials module only) The inks of the assortment can be divided into any components (pigments/ concentrates, binding agent/varnish, additives and solvents) with the aid of the basic materials database. The component proportions of the individual inks are displayed as a sum in the basic materials recipe. At the top are the colorant components such as pigments or concentrates, lower down the non-colorant components in the sequence binding agent/ varnish, additives and solvents.
OPERATING MANUAL 23.2.4 Opacity control (opacity module only) The following settings are possible: If an assortment that was measured using a spherical optic spectrophotometer (D8i) is loaded in the main window or if such an instrument is connected, then in the modes None (just color match), Transparent and Target color on white and black substrate, an additional field Ambient light (metalized substrates only) is displayed. Please note the explanation at the end of the section.
The higher the proportion of directed (direct) light, the darker the transparent color on the metalized substrate will appear. The higher the proportion of diffuse (undirected) light, the brighter the transparent color on the metalized substrate will appear.
OPERATING MANUAL Bright target colors which are formulated entirely transparently on a reflective metalized substrate and are intended to be viewed under an ambient light with a high proportion of directed light can sometimes not be reproduced satisfactorily. The reason for this is the inherent color of the metalized substrate, which appears as gray. Since with transparent colors the background is seen in its full effect, the recipe may appear too dark even if it is formulated very brightly.
Film thickness object: If a film thickness object has been assigned to the current assortment and film thickness objects have been defined for the formulation, you can select a film thickness object. InkFormulation automatically calculates the conversion factor and adjusts the recipe accordingly. 23.2.6 Calculate all combinations When this command box is activated, all possible combinations of the selected colors are calculated during formulation.
OPERATING MANUAL If you click on the Maximum speed check box, your spectrophotometer is set to a 57600 baud transfer rate. Do not select this option if your spectrophotometer is being used with a printer or other device having a lower transfer rate. Please refer to the operating instructions for the spectrophotometer. 1. In the main window, click on the SPM symbol or in the Settings menu on SPM. The X-Rite SpectroServer settings window appears. 2.
23.4 Batching systems settings (module weighing and batching systems only) Various weighing and batching systems can be connected to InkFormulation. The Settings batching systems window provides the possibility for setting the recipe to be sent to the batching system individually for every batching system connected. The specific parameters for the batching system are set for data exchange with the Setup button. Please pay close attention to the manufacturer’s instructions. 1.
OPERATING MANUAL Setup: If you click on Setup, the Modify batching system window is displayed. Specific data can be entered here for the weighing or batching system (e.g. interface, output file, etc.). Pay careful attention to the operating instructions from the relevant manufacturer. 5. Click on OK when all inputs have been made. The designation of the batching system is then displayed in the Selected batching systems field.
23.5 Display settings Here you can select different settings for the recipe output: • Type of price information • Number of decimal places for the display of ink quantities in the recipes. • Maximal color distance dE of the recipes which should be displayed in the recipe selection. • Tolerance: When this check box is activated, the recipes which are within the selected tolerance are marked with PASS.
OPERATING MANUAL 23.7 Library folders Recipe folders can be write-protected. Users can thereby be prevented from unintentionally storing recipes into a protected folder. Write-protected folders may be desired in cases where collections of prepared recipes are made available to users in order to serve as a basis for new recipes, for example as a basis for palette formulations. Procedure: New or existing recipe folders can be set with write-protection. 1. In the Settings menu click on Library folders. 2.
23.8 Unit settings When the Unit conversion check box is activated, two additional fields are displayed in the lower section of the main window. The recipe quantities are converted directly from the source unit to the target unit. (Weighing and batching systems module only ): If Unit conversion is activated, the target unit can also be set in the setup procedure for the batching system (see Section 23.4 “Batching systems settings (module weighing and batching systems only)”).
OPERATING MANUAL 184 22 • Making settings
24 Quitting InkFormulation 24.
OPERATING MANUAL 186
24 Quitting InkFormulation 24.1 Quitting InkFormulation Save the current recipe before quitting InkFormulation ( 5.11 “Saving a recipe”). see Section Never switch your computer off before exiting the program in the prescribed manner. Otherwise, data may be lost. 1. In the File menu, click on Quit.
OPERATING MANUAL 188
25 Application notes 25.1 Recommended instrument settings 191 25.2 Measuring patterns 192 25.3 Colorant calibration series 25.3.1 General 25.3.2 Absorption and scattering of an ink 25.3.3 Concentration grades on white and black substrates 25.3.4 Substrate and transparent white 25.3.5 Ink film thickness 25.3.6 Specific gravity 25.3.7 Viscosity in flexo and gravure printing (viscosity module only) 25.3.8 Balance 25.4 Sorting criteria editor 25.4.1 Sorting criterion editor 25.5 Thickness calibration 25.5.
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25 Application notes 25.1 Recommended instrument settings Generally the Pol filter leads to good formulating results on a variety of different substrates (glossy, matt, absorbent, non-absorbent), because surface effects such as bronzing, the wet/dry problem and the effect of optical brighteners on measurement are greatly reduced. If the target color and the reproduced color have different surface structures, or if covering power has to be taken into account when formulating with scattering pigments (e.g.
OPERATING MANUAL 25.2 Measuring patterns The pattern measurement should take place on the same homogeneous background (e.g. white cardboard) as that used for comparison between the pattern and the color reproduced. Only unit types with small measuring field: When measuring coarsely structured patterns, multiple measurements must be carried out. By observing the average value continuously displayed on the screen, you can judge when enough measurements have been made.
25.3.3 Concentration grades on white and black substrates For optimum determination of the optical data of an ink, we recommend preparing around six (a minimum of four) different concentration grades on white and black substrate. As the color differences are more pronounced in the lower concentration range (more transparent white, less ink), it makes sense to carry out a finer gradation in this area (e.g. a kind of geometrical progression).
OPERATING MANUAL 25.3.4 Substrate and transparent white It is clear that the best recipes are obtained when the conditions for carrying out colorant calibrations match those for the mixing of a color pattern. This applies particularly to the substrate used and the transparent white. The optical data of the inks depend in greater or lesser degree on the absorptive capacity of the substrate and the characteristics of the transparent white used for the colorant calibrations.
25.3.6 Specific gravity If the inks used in the colorant calibration series (including transparent white) are of more or less the same specific gravity, this input is not required. However, certain inks (e.g. opaque white) have a markedly higher specific gravity than other inks. In such cases, entry of the specific gravity ( see Section 14.4.3 “Defining an assortment”) leads to better results. 25.3.
OPERATING MANUAL 25.4 Sorting Criterion Editor In the window “recipe selection” you can view a list of recipes sorted according to the desired sorting criterion. The user can choose from 5 pre-defined sorting criteria. Select one of the criterion and the recipes are automatically reordered, with the lowest value first, indicating the best recipe regarding this criterion. Enabling a sorting criterion option 1. Click on Sorting criteria. 2. Select (x) criterion option and click on OK.
The weighting factor can be chosen within any number range. However, pay attention to the relation between different factors. The higher the factors are chosen the greater the total amount. The best value is the smallest one. The following examples give you an understanding of the weighting factors: Example #1 If you set the factor of one criterion 1, this corresponds to the selected default criteria. Set the factor of current dE 1.0 and finalize the Sorting criterion editor by clicking OK.
OPERATING MANUAL Example #3 You accept a higher current dE of 1.5 if you economize one ink component and if you minimize the price. Set the following weighting factors (wf): wf (current dE) = 1 wf (price) = 1.5 wf (Nr of components = 1.5 The new sorting formula: 1*current dE + 1.5*price + 1.5*Nr of components recipe current dE price number of components own sorting criterion 1 3 1 5 9 2 2 2 4 11 3 1.5 1.50 5 11.
The user defined sorting criteria can be classified for basic and correction recipes. If the criterion is only available for one option, please deactivate the other one in the window: sorting criterion editor. 25.5 Thickness Calibration 25.5.1 How to calculate thickness for a reference assortment In order create film thickness parameters for a reference assortment, the user must define at least one recipe for each roller.
OPERATING MANUAL 25.5.2 Film thickness calibration in relation to other assortments With known thickness If an assortment is defined with known thickness calibration data, the same parameters can then be applied to a different assortment (see illustration). Assortment B is shown which was created with the roller R3. The system can then automatically determine the thickness needed for rollers R1, R2 and R4 because of the relation between the thickness objects.
25.5.3 Film thickness calibration across substrates The Film Thickness Calibration module calculates volume requirements across different substrates. The calibration set does not have to be remeasured for each substrate. However, we do not recommend creating recipes for various substrates based on data from just one.
OPERATING MANUAL 25.6.1 How to edit a Print Layout with NC Report Designer Software NC Report Designer is an additional program that is included with InkFormulation. NCRD can be launched directly from within the InkFormulation program. From the Settings menu, select Setup Printer. The Report layout window appears.
In addition to the single lines and elements, the entire details can be edited at once. Choose Report Detail Settings from the Report menu. You’ll then see the dialog box to the right. Here you can delete single details and rearrange the order the existing sections. The sections “page header” and “page footer” can be deactivated in the menu “Report” -> “Report and Page settings” in the tab “Section Options”.
OPERATING MANUAL Page sizing In the menu you can change the orientation and size of your layout. You can pick one of the predefined formats or specify one of your own. Text Insertion Choose Text from the Insert menu. The Text properties dialog box appears where you can type in your desired text. You can also load a separate html file if you choose. Click OK to accept the changes. Modification of the decimal places in basic and correction recipes: 1. Please open a layout with NC Report Designer 2.
26 Hotkeys 26.
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26 Hotkeys 26.1 Overview You can use hotkeys to execute various commands or to change windows quickly. You can call up Help by pressing F1 in any situation. The other hotkeys are available from the main window.
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27 Installing InkFormulation 27.1 Hardware and software requirements 211 27.2 Installation on a PC 27.2.1 Preparing for installation 27.2.2 Installing on a personal computer 27.2.3 Connecting the PC to the measuring device 27.2.
OPERATING MANUAL 210
27 Installing InkFormulation 27.
OPERATING MANUAL 27.2 Installation on a PC 27.2.1 Preparing for installation If you already have an installed version of this software and are carrying out an update, you should make a complete backup copy of the program directory or a backup of the database ( see Section 21.7 “Backing up the database”). 27.2.2 Installing on a personal computer 1. Start WINDOWS. 2. Insert the CD in the CD-ROM drive and wait till the X-Rite Setup window appears. 3. Click on the symbol for InkFormulation.
28 User administration 28.1 General 215 28.2 Screen structure 28.2.1 Main window 28.2.2 Menu list 28.2.3 Symbols list 215 215 216 216 28.3 Use 28.3.1 28.3.2 28.3.3 28.3.4 216 216 217 218 218 Processing authorization groups Processing user data Defining a new data access group Backing up and restoring user data 28.
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28 User administration 28.1 General User administration is an additional program enabling you to define the access rights of the individual users to the functions of the various X-Rite programs. The User administration program displays all functions of the different X-Rite programs. However, only those functions can be switched on and off which are authorized by the hardware key. User administration also allows users to be assigned to particular data access groups.
OPERATING MANUAL 28.2.2 Menu list The following functions can be carried out on the various menus: • File - Backup and restore user data - Close the program • Edit - Undo • Tools - Settings 28.2.3 Symbols list Save user data New user New right group New data access group Delete 28.3 Use 28.3.1 Processing authorization groups Entering new authorization groups 1. Click on the Rights symbol. 2. Make the following entries: • Right name. • Select the Application the Right Group will have access.
Processing authorization groups The access rights for a group can also be changed later in the directory tree of the main window. 1. In the directory tree open the relevant authorization group and activate the check box for the required programs/functions. 2. Click on the Save symbol to activate the entries you have made. 28.3.2 Processing user data Enter a new user 1. Click on the New user symbol. 2. Enter one user name. 3.
OPERATING MANUAL 28.3.3 Defining a new data access group 1. Highlight the data access group which should be directly above the new group . 2. Click on new data access group symbol. 3. Enter the name. 4. Click on the Save symbol in the main window to activate the entries you have made. 28.3.4 Backing up and restoring user data By clicking on the Backup or Restore symbol or via the menu File > User data > Backup or Restore, an Explorer window is opened.
29.
OPERATING MANUAL 220
29 Glossary Absorption Light passing through an ink film is weakened to a greater or lesser degree, depending on the thickness of the film and the wavelength of the light. In combination with the scattering capacity, this produces the optical effect of the ink. Additional ink quantity Quantities of inks which have to be added to an ink mixture to bring it closer to the target color. Assortment An assortment is a selection of colorants used for a recipe calculation.
OPERATING MANUAL 222 Colorant calibration series A colorant calibration series consists of a selection of calibrations of various colorants using the same substrate, the same transparent white and the same production process. As a rule, one colorant calibration series is allocated to one assortment. dE X-Rite dE X-Rite is a quality criterion for using ink leftovers. Among other things, it takes into account the fact that it is very difficult to achieve a pure ink with a dirty ink leftover.
30.
OPERATING MANUAL 224
30 Index Index Batch processing ____________________________________ 94 A Absorption _____________________________________ 192,221 Additional ink quantity _____________________________ 60,221 Applications______________________________________ 44,125 Assortment _______________________________________ 221 Creating a new assortment ________________________ 105 Defining an assortment ___________________________ 108 Deleting _______________________________________ 116 Deleting a colorant _____________________
OPERATING MANUAL Leftovers ____________________________________ 77,121 Recipe database _________________________________ 24 Restoring ______________________________________ 159 Selecting ______________________________________ 157 Setting up _____________________________________ 156 Setting up in a network ___________________________ 158 Substrate database _______________________________ 24 Substrate formats database _____________________ 25,137 Define target color > Get ______________________________ 69 dE
P Palette formulation ________________________________ 46,65 PC-measuring device connection ______________________ 212 Preparing for installation _____________________________ 212 Printing __________________________________________ 163 Program versions and auxiliary modules __________________ 28 R Recipe Copying onto the clipboard ______________________ 53,202 Correction recipe ________________________________ 59 Deleting ________________________________________ 97 Entering recipe data _____________________
OPERATING MANUAL Symbols ___________________________________________ 26 T Target color Defining ________________________________________ Defining and formulating ___________________________ Loading from ColorNet ____________________________ Measuring with the spectrophotometer _______________ 38 22 41 40 U Unit conversion ____________________________________ 183 User administration ______________________________ 215,218 User name ________________________________________ 171 V Viscosity __________________
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