TrendWatch Graphic Arts Report indicates that most have litte interest in implementing Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) into their business right now.
Over the last 12 to 18 months, Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) has garnered the lion's share of editorial coverage and attention. Most would consider it to be the focus of this Spring's major industry event, DRUPA. Today, TWGA released a special report which indicates that CIM has yet to be significantly adopted by graphic arts businesses, and especially not prepress houses and commercial printers. Nor do they plan to do so in the near future. According to the TWGA report, 58% of all respondents noted that CIM is "irrelevant to their businesses or they don't know how it relates to them." More specifically, more than three-quarters (77%) of responding prepress shops reported the same sentiments.
Of all groups, Periodical Printers have embraced CIM more than any other printing segment, with 23% stating they have incorporated CIM into their production workflows and 20% stating they plan to invest in CIM workflows in the next 12 months.The report, titled "Computer Integrated Manufacturing: Hot Stuff? Or Much Ado About Nothing?" is available for online purchase at the TWGA eStore in PDF format. For more information, please go to the TWGA website (www.trendwatchgraphicarts.com).TWGA Overview Comment...At a recent conference, attended by 300 to 400 printers and industry professionals, one of the presenters asked, "How many of you have been able to implement JDF in your workflows in some way?" Of the 300?400 in attendance, only one hand went up. Given that JDF is the industry standard that is, and will be for the immediate future, used to facilitate the automated and integrated workflows, this alone indicates problems for CIM vendors. If printers have not yet been able to implement JDF in any way, they are miles away from CIM. The fact is, CIM is a terrific concept, but few printers have yet to really understand or embrace it as a solution.According to the Report...READING UP ON CIM: 30% of respondents say they "have been reading about/studying" CIM; another 6% have attended some kind of industry event or seminar on CIM;-- BUSINESS CHALLENGE: Only 2% of respondents see "implementing the CIM/Smart Factory concept" as a business challenge;-- SALES OPPORTUNITY: And only 2% of respondents see "helping customers to understand the CIM/Smart Factory concept" as a sales opportunity;-- RISING INVESTMENT: The percentage of respondents planning to invest in CIM workflows has risen from 2% to 4% over the last six months;TWGA Prognosis...Eventually, more and more printers will adopt CIM at some level, even if it's just automated prepress workflows or automated press systems.
As printers upgrade their equipment, even if it's every 20 years, the equipment they purchase will come standard with the automation required for these workflows to happen. At the same time, printers' staffing will change, becoming increasingly more digital-savvy and more computer-literate. CIM will happen, but its adoption will be slow, especially when you compare it to the exposure and resources dedicated to it in the last 12 months.Methodology?This report is based on TrendWatch GA Printing #18 and TrendWatch GA Printing #19 survey data, as well as proprietary industry research and executive interviews. Availability...The TrendWatch Graphic Arts "Computer Integrated Manufacturing: Hot Stuff? Or Much Ado About Nothing?" report is available for purchase by visiting the secure TrendWatch Graphic Arts eStore online at www.trendwatchgraphicarts.com or by phone at 866-873-6310. The price for the 98-page report is $1295.
TrendWatch Graphic Arts eStore customers can download this report in PDF Acrobat format immediately after purchase. Editor's Note...Additional information pertaining to each report is available for editorial purposes. Please make inquiries directly to Judie Ryer (646-746-7234 or e-mail protected from spam bots). About TrendWatch Graphic Arts...TrendWatch Graphic Arts specializes in the assessment of trends and changes in graphic communications markets by providing timely and strategic information, hard-hitting market analysis and concise expert opinion. The reports have earned the reputation for containing the most reliable and timely industry intelligence in the graphic arts and graphic design marketplaces.
TrendWatch Graphic Arts can be reached on the web (www.trendwatchgraphicarts.com), via email (e-mail protected from spam bots) or toll-free by phone at 866-873-6310..
Bar Code Printers
Barcode Printers come in various types, including general-purpose laser and inkjet printers. Then there are printers that support multiple symbologies. They are called Thermal bar code label printers. General-purpose laser and inkjet printers cannot directly print barcodes. That is because these basic printers do not support bar code symbologies and are therefore upgraded to do so.
They need to be programmed to support bar coding, which may entail addition of more features and fonts.
Barcode printers employ two major printing methods, namely Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer. Both methods basically involve the same technique to print bar codes with difference in the use of ribbon. They make use of a print-head that applies heat to a surface that is pre-marked. Heated ribbon is used to produce long-lasting images in Thermal Transfer printing, while Direct Thermal does not use ribbon and instead prints the image directly on the label. In Thermal Transfer printing...
Computer printers > Bar Code Printers
Diagnosing Paper Jams in HP Laser Printers
There are many things that can cause paper jams in HP printers, and diagnoses vary from one model to the next.
In this article I will discuss some of the most common causes of printer jams and possible solutions.Where is the paper jamming?When you answer this question you are close to solving the problem.1. If the printer will not pick up paper from tray two or three there are several causes.Try using a lower weight paper.
HP does not recommend printing a higher weight than 20lbs from and tray but tray one.
If this does not work the paper rollers probably need to be changed.
These come with every maintenance kit, but most end users do not change them, they just change the fuser.
If you do not have rollers available try cleaning them with a lint free cloth and wipe away any paper dust or other debris.2. The paper is picked up from the tray but does not make it to the toner cartridge.Typically this is the paper feed assembly or the registration...
Computer printers > Diagnosing Paper Jams in HP Laser Printers
Computer Rentals: The Best Classroom Computer Training Solution
For classroom training, renting computers, sound systems and projectors from a computer rental company is the easiest and most cost efficient way to coordinate corporate training initiatives with the least amount of headaches. Save Time and Money with Training: Computer, Projector, and Sound System Equipment Rentals Even if you own all the equipment you need for a computer training session you will save money by using the installation services of a computer rental company. Computer rental companies coordinate everything technical so you can concentrate on the execution of your computer training program. Trainers can become technicians very quickly when training computer equipment doesn't work properly. Training directors know how difficult it can be to 'work out all the bugs' before, during and after each training program.
Execution is the key to training results and efficiencies. If 20% of the computers don't work, you can have a training disaster on your hands. Add up all the...
Computer Rentals: The Best Classroom Computer Training Solution
Computer printers > Computer Rentals: The Best Classroom Computer Training Solution
Geeks In A Flash! Specializes in Servicing the High-Speed Internet Mobile Computer Community with Slow Computer problems.
(ContentDesk) May 14, 2004--Do you have a laptop or pocket pc? Do you wish there was someone that dealt specifically with the issues facing the mobile computer community? Well now there is! Geeks In A Flash! ? THE computer help desk to the high-speed internet community, has increased its focus to servicing mobile computer users. Whether you have a laptop, notebook, tablet pc, pocket pc, pda, pda-phone combo, or Blackberry device? www.GeeksInAFlash.com has the solution for your mobile computing problems! Or perhaps you want to drop the weight and inflexibility of your desktop but aren't sure which mobile solution is right for you?these Geeks are here to help! The accessibility of mobile computing and the wireless age should allow us to use technology for what it was meant to be?a tool to enhance life, not tie us down to a desk, keep us inside a building, or even require us to be seated! With all of the wonders this...
Geeks In A Flash! Specializes in Servicing the High-Speed Internet Mobile Computer Community with Slow Computer problems.
Computer printers > Geeks In A Flash! Specializes in Servicing the High-Speed Internet Mobile Computer Community with Slow Computer problems.