Controls upgrade makes for quick changeover

After upgrading controls on a Goss Universal press at Pennsylvania-based The Tribune-Review, Harland Simon is moving on to a Newsliner at the site.

An obsolete Rockwell Automation frontend is being replaced with standard PCs and touchscreens and Meridian controllers such as SmartMacs and SmartPacs, with off-the-shelf Allen-Bradley products.

The company says the new upgrade approach enables a fast changeover between the HS and Meridian systems during access periods, and without the press being shut down. At the same time, costs have been minimised by retaining elements of the existing system that can still be used and supported.

Harland Simon will also supply three P6000 operator screens providing the same user experience across both the Universal and Newsliner enabling full flexibility across the presses. A single upper level system comprising the Prima MS and RIPSet solutions will provide presetting, planning, monitoring and reporting for both presses to improve operational efficiency at the Tribune-Review.