Quote & Print runs live Komori JDF at ‘Fergies’ in Brisbane

Demonstrating its universal JDF/JMF connectivity, local MIS developer, Quote & Print, is currently in the middle of extensive testing at James Ferguson P/L. JDF (job description format) is set to revolutionise workflow and production systems in the next few years

In a comprehensive workout of the industry leading software, Quote & Print’s JDF interface was installed on two networked 40 inch presses, along with Komori’s K Station software. Live jobs were selected from the active job list and JDF files were created using Quote & Print’s internal data format. The K Station software then picked up the JDF file and split it up into the relevant sections for the multi-section jobs.

Quote & Print was then “tweaked” to conform to the K Station naming convention where the Project Name is the customer name and the job name is a combination of the job, section number (for multi section jobs) and job title.

Testing for JDF reliability proved a painstaking business, requiring high levels of cooperation between all parties. Pictured: Christo Van Rensburg (Print Manager at Fergies), Alan Alexander (Q&P QLD distributor) Graham Liddle (Financial Controller at Fergies) checking the connectivity at the K Station.

One of the major benefits of JDF is the ability to receive back JMF (job messaging format) message. These are received every minute from the press and can be used to pick up both press and job information. The Komori K station was set up to broadcast the JMF message back to Quote & Print where they are received and analysed.

The value of the intensive trailling produced one more round of changes to Quote & Print to accommodate jobs with multiple plate changes, which the company is currently undertaking.

A key feature of the installation was the cooperation between the local CPI press engineers, Komori engineers based in Japan and Quote & Print’s Sydney-based programmers. Initially transmission of samples to enable suggestions and troubleshooting was by email and then tested on local K station software.

At present Quote & Print has demonstrated its JDF connectivity with Man Roland, Komori and Ryobi Presses. Testing is currently in progress with Heidelberg. On the prepress side connectivity is being tested with Kodak’s Prinergy software.

To match the improvements in productivity that JDF will bring about, Quote & Print has introduced new work-flow software. This is compatible with its existing job tracking, scheduling and shop floor management software but will give production coordinators/managers greater control over the flow of jobs through their factory.

Make sure you get to see the new work flow and JDF connectivity demonstrated at the QUOTE & PRINT SOFTWARE Stand 2024 at PrintEx07.