P-DAQ (pee' dak) is a sophisticated, graphical, touch-screen application that collects, analyzes, and reports on pressroom data that is necessary to manage the complexities involved with the printing process.

P-DAQ represents the future of press management systems. It utilizes state of the art technology, a graphical user interface and electronic data acquisition while providing a completely open system architecture.

P-DAQ consists of four primary modules, (click the links to the left for more information about each module) all operating together to provide the highest level of real-time data possible without compromising the fail-safe requirements of the system. Using our unique Bi-directional Data Synchronization Technology (BDST), the local and remote databases are continuously synchronized.

P-DAQ monitors gross impressions, waste impressions, net count by signature, estimated time remaining, press performance, pallet production data, ink usage, paper consumption and much more all at the touch of a screen.

P-DAQ can communicate with your current systems to facilitate the exchange of vital information throughout your business.

P-DAQ can reduce the time spent in reporting labor and pallet information to other systems. A complete set of reports give users the information they need for trouble-shooting problems and analyzing productivity and performance.

P-DAQ allows plant managers, scheduling personnel, and customer service representatives to monitor the current status of jobs from anywhere on the network with up to the minute data fed directly from the pressroom.

P-DAQ collects and reports on data that print management has been asking for, but was previously too costly and time-consuming to acquire.

KEY BENEFITS:

• Average Return on Investment in 18 months.
• A common solution for all presses and delivery configurations.
• Takes full advantage of the capabilities of modern day presses.
• Accurate waste and net counts by form.
• Accurate counts by pallet for WIP tracking.
• Waste and down-time categorized by reason code.
• Automatic capture of both performance and productivity data.
• Automatic tracking of paper and ink consumption.
• Reporting of impressions, basis weight and problems by roll.
• Alarm and/or automatic shut-down of press at end of run.
• Pre-defining of jobs to be run on each press.
• Press monitoring from anywhere on the network.
• Graphical representation of key historical data.
• Query and report writing capabilities available to users.
• System diagnostic capability for trouble-shooting system problems.

The Press Module collects real-time data from each press. The press is linked to the P-DAQ computer via the Press Interface Module (PIM). The pressman records labor and down-time reason codes. Waste, paper consumption and ink usage are also tracked.

The Press Module main screen contains a header area and four sections. The View button provides access to the transaction logs, maintained by the system. The data is purged automatically after it has been transferred to the file server based upon predefined purge criteria.

The upper left quadrant contains a series of folders used to define the configuration of the press, to define the crew for each shift, to define the job specifications and to view the status of the press.

The upper right quadrant contains press speed statistics for the past 24-hour period. The scheduled running speed of the press is also displayed. Press stops may be easily located using the chart.

The bottom left quadrant represents the current configuration of the press. The graphic represents the maximum configuration of the press with grayed areas used to represent the roll stands and/or color units not being utilized for the current form.

The bottom right quadrant represents the current delivery configuration of the press. The graphic represents the maximum configuration of the press with grayed areas used to represent the deliveries not being utilized for the current run.

 

The Shift Log is used to record activities performed on each shift. Entries are made to the shift log automatically whenever an event occurs. The events recorded are as follows:

• Shift Started - Occurs when a new shift begins.
• Form Started - Occurs when the Start button is pressed.
• Makeready I - Occurs at the beginning of a new form.
• Makeready II - Occurs during Makeready when the press reaches a pre-defined speed.
• Running- Occurs when the first good product for each signature is produced.
• Stopped - Occurs when during Running, the press drops below a pre-defined speed. The down-time is attributed to the cause as defined by the pressman.
• Restarting - Occurs after a press stop, when the press reaches a pre-defined speed. The down-time and waste during the restart is attributed to the cause of the press stop.
• Count Complete - Occurs when the required count for each of the signatures has been produced.
• Wash-Up - Occurs after the press has reached count, and when the press stops.
• Form Complete - Occurs when the stop button is pressed. This completes the current form.

The Scheduling Module is used to define or view the requirements of scheduled jobs prior to going to press.

Entering jobs here and not at the press, simplifies the flow of work to the pressroom, and allows operators to focus on the operation of the press. At the press, jobs are selected simply with a touch of a screen.

The flexibility of the system enables jobs to be loaded from in-house scheduling systems.

Once loaded, jobs can be easily moved from press to press and can easily be re-ordered when priorities change.

Using the Status Summary screen, the status of all presses may be viewed simultaneously. This allows you to view the status of the entire pressroom at a glance.

The Paper Management Module is used to track paper consumption. Paper usage is tracked by job, by press, by shift, and by crew. A comprehensive set of reports are used to analyze paper usage on a job and form basis, and to analyze paper usage by mill.

 

The Ink Tracking Module is used to track ink consumption. The system works in conjunction with sophisticated ink metering devices. Ink usage is tracked by job, by press, by shift, and by crew. A comprehensive set of reports are used to analyze ink usage on a job and form basis.