Use the Xerox Versant 3100 and Versant 180 to Automate High-Volume Workflows
Contents
If there is a single predominant theme to Xerox’s technological printing press innovation, it is automation. Automated workflows save time and money while improving document image quality.
Specifically, the Versant series of high-volume production printers – the Xerox Versant 3100 and the Xerox Versant 180 – feature a wealth of automated tools that serve to reduce the amount of time operators spend creating documents while improving the consistency and quality of the documents created.
Without these tools, complex workflows take a great deal of time to complete, both in terms of operator man-hours and mechanical downtime. Additionally, trusting operators to follow complex workflows can generate waste and make re-printing necessary because of human error – even experienced operators can make mistakes or skip important steps.
Become familiar with some of the most important workflow automation tools featured in the Versant series of production printers. Discover how these tools can help you increase the quality and consistency of your organization’s print output.
Top Tools for Automating Workflows
Most of the following tools are available on both the Versant 180 and Versant 3100 printing presses. The few tools that are specific only to a certain printer are marked as such.
Automated Color Quality System
Any high-volume print operator knows that large print runs require careful color management. The color calibration process involves printing and measuring calibration charts, then calculating the precise adjustments needed and effectuating them before starting the print run.
The Xerox Versant 180 and Versant 3100 printers automate this process so that the printer makes its own color charts and makes complex decisions about color maintenance on its own. All the operator has to do is initiate the process before each print project.
Automated Image Caching and Parallel RIP
Xerox printers use a Raster Image Processor (RIP) to create a bitmap of the desired images before printing. Large-volume projects frequently feature images that occur multiple times in a single file. Xerox Versant printing presses automatically break down images and cache frequently used ones instead of rasterizing them every time they occur.
This vastly improves the speed of the pre-print process and improves overall print time drastically. The process also allows for concurrent processing using multiple processors for different parts of the file. As projects get larger and larger, automated image caching allows for better, faster digital image handling.
Automated Sheet Decurling
A single-pass sheet decurling module acts as the interface between the Versant 180 and Versant 3100 printing press and its respective inline finishing modules. In order to properly prepare every sheet of paper for physical manipulation, the decurler must ensure that every sheet is flat and uniform.
This interface module uses a computer-controlled process to decurl sheets of paper using a broad range of data. It reads paper weight and measures the temperature and humidity of the press environment to deliver consistent results.
Automated Run-Time Color Control
While the automated color quality system allows operators to calibrate Versant-series printing presses before starting print orders, automated run-time color control ensures the printer does not miscalibrate during long print runs. This feature uses a subsystem of closed-loop process controls to constantly verify registration marks and color patches between individual image impressions.
By automatically measuring color quality between individual impressions, the printer can automatically adjust its color calibration during the run. The end result of this process is high color consistency without operator intervention – even during very large print runs.
Automatic Sheet Clearing
This feature is only available on the Xerox Versant 3100. When a paper jam occurs, the Versant 3100 printing press stops and reports the jam to its operator. The operator then needs to remove the single sheet blocking the paper path. At that point, the printing press will automatically eject all of the other sheets to its top trays.
This vastly decreases time lost due to paper jams. Automatic sheet clearing means that upon jamming, operators do not need to open all interior printer doors to pick out individual sheets and clear the entire paper path by themselves.
Printer Automation Improves Productivity
From automatic sheet clearing to automated color calibration, all of these tools simplify otherwise complex workflows. Whereas operators using inferior printing presses may be tempted to skip color calibration and risk potential waste and re-printing, a Versant user can perform this step with the touch of a button. All of these tools improve productivity by automating key elements of high-volume workflows.
Kelley Create can help you identify the hardware options you need to successfully automate complex workflows. Speak with one of our experts to find out more.