Ancient House Printing Group
 
 
 
 
Repro
Overview
Agfa Apogee X, the next generation workflow software based on PDF and JDF was installed into the Ancient House Press Studio in early February 2006. Apogee X represents a breakthrough in automation and ease of use. An intuitive interface lets the operator initiate and monitor tasks in real time. A scalable, modular design lets the user implement functions and performance as needed. Full JDF-compliancy integrates MIS/IT into the workflow for automatic job-ticket generation and end-to-end workflow management.

Once files are passed into Printdrive, high-resolution proofs can be run out onto the enhanced Grand Sherpa 50 while low-resolution imposition and back up is checked on the new double-sided Sherpamatic. Proofs can also be supplied by E-mail.

Printdrive also controls two totally independent Galileo platesetters, making sure that even if one system fails, plates will still reach the presses. While plates are output, CIP files are sent to the presses ensuring accurate preset ink coverage from the start of the job.

Plates can be output as traditional half tone screens or as stochastic, sometimes termed FM screening using Agfa Sublima software. Colour control is administered using Gretag Macbeth SpectroEye, digital Pantone libraries and colour control reporting software.

Sublima
Sublima uses a patented technology known as XM (Cross Modulated) to achieve line-screen rulings of up to 340 Lpi (lines per inch). It combines the benefits of AM (Amplitude Modulated) screening, which are smooth gradations and highly controllable midtones, with the benefits of FM (Frequency Modulated) screening-fine detail rendering in shadows and highlights and continuous-tone like reproduction. It aligns FM dots along AM paths and replaces AM dots at the precise point where the AM dot can no longer be held on a specific press. The result is a smooth transition from one mode to the other with no visible crossover. Sublima also takes press characteristics into account so that it will never produce a dot the press cannot hold. As a result, every detail gets printed. Process tints, fine lines, even delicate typefaces print like solids using 4 colour process. Flesh tones are perfectly smooth and color accurate. Because Sublima I can hold the tiniest microdot on press, enlarging or reducing images have no I effection quality or the ability to sustain details. This also widens the variety of papers that you can use at high line rulings-from high-gloss coated stocks to translucent vellums and newsprint.

JDF
Agfa is one of the founding "gang of four" companies that initiated JDF in 1999. The company was one of the first RIP vendors to embrace Adobe PDF and PJTF (Portable Job Ticket Format) and worked closely with Adobe to enhance these formats to build PDF workflow systems. This work gave Agfa a solid knowledge base when it made the switch to JDF and JMF (Job Messaging Format).

In June 2003 Agfa introduced Apogee X which works in an XML environment with a job database optimised for JDF and JMF
connectivity. In January 2004 Apogee X 2.0 with full scalability, fault tolerance, MIS integration and Delano.

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