German manufacturer of measuring and analysis systems for the quality control of flexographic and packaging printing, Sibress has brought the innovative mobile FlexoControl 3D Plus plate measuring device to market. The easy-to-use system can measure grids on flexographic plates in a fineness between 30 and 85/cm (80-216 lpi) for the analysis of production parameters during flexographic plate production.
FlexoControl 3D Plus has an innovative optical system with increased optical enlargement, which better and more precisely captures the side and flank view of the grid points. The tool was also further developed to measure relief depths, flank angles as well as—particularly important—the base (ground area) of the printing points.
Razor sharp, high-resolution image capturing for exact plate analysis
Sibress FlexoControl 3D Plus is the only flexographic measuring device in the world that simultaneously captures the surface as well as the lower areas of grid points and their base from the side. Two cameras record the surface and flanks of the grid points, whereby the side camera can detect the entire visible area thanks to a newly developed method. The new aperture control of the side camera additionally permits the exact adjustment to the lighting or the requirements of different plate materials and grids. Both functions together make it possible to show every point in the image in razor sharp resolution, to display the finest details and ensure a high level of measurement accuracy.
Exact evaluation of all important parameters
All grid points in the active measuring range are captured, analyzed and evaluated by the Versatile@flex-software. Thanks to the split screen mode, images can be compared directly with each other. The user sees the evaluation of parameters such as the grid tone value, grid width, point diameter as well as point scope on the one side. The grid point is shown from the side in the window next to it, which can be evaluated with the further developed tool for geometric measurements.
Other functions include the measurement of color controls, CMYK evaluations, statistics, the saving of measurement curves or the automatic creation of measurement protocols with images in PDF format. Furthermore, the software presents the results of measurement series in clear designs and characteristic line diagrams. The captured images and graphic illustrations of the measurement results can be archived and reloaded later for in-depth analyses or statistics.
Always calibrated for precision
Another excellent feature of the FlexoControl 3D Plus is the automatic calibration. Together with an optional laser edged calibrating target, the fully automatic calibration ensures the permanent accuracy of measurements. This is in particular an advantage for companies with quality management demanding a regular inspection and calibration of the measuring technology. The side camera look is calibrated in the factory in the X, Y and Z axes, whereby the Z calibration is additionally compared with a special microscope in an independently developed procedure.
Mobile or stationary in action
FlexoControl 3D Plus is available in a mobile version consisting of a measuring device and transparency unit or as a stationary model. The measuring device is guided onto a holding arm for the stationary version and immediately reaches the selected measuring position while being lowered. The device can be used together with the separate light unit as a mobile version by simply unlocking the guide arm. Since the device has a long USB cable, large plates can be comfortably measured on the entire area.
The stationary version of FlexoControl 3D Plus will soon have a micrometer connection so that precise plate thicknesses can be determined as well. Furthermore, Sibress will implement other useful software functions as well as a device for measuring sleeves with FlexoControl 3D Plus. More information about FlexoControl 3D Plus and the entire product portfolio from Sibress can be found at www.sibress.com.
