The project includes the replacement of obsolete Rockwell Damp controllers (Z859) and Ink/Registration controllers (Z808) on a total of six printing units. The project will also incorporate an upgrade of the main Prima MS/RIPSet servers to the latest version of Microsoft server and all desk PC’s will be upgraded from Windows NT to Windows 7. During this process the active HDLC from the PC based microprocessor unit (MPU) – originally installed by Harland Simon in 2009 – will be maintained to allow communication with the non-upgraded units and avoid any downtime.

The second stage of the upgrade will be to replace the Rockwell controllers, while converting over to Ethernet communication (see photo). To maintain production, the MPU will simultaneous communicate via the old HDLC as well as the new Ethernet.

Jeff Golding, Production Manager for The Star Phoenix, commented: “The recent plan at the StarPhoenix to have Harland Simon replace and upgrade Ink/Damp/Registration controllers, desk PCs and touch screen monitors has been a smooth cooperative process.  From the first steps and onwards we at the StarPhoenix have had all questions and requests answered with the utmost speed and clarity. We only have the one press so we are very protective of our ‘baby’ and feel very relaxed when Harland Simon suggests and makes changes required to keep it running in top order.  This is not the first time we have had Harland Simon modify the press and we are fortunate to have them back to ensure this goes smoothly.  We look forward to the future relationship between Harland Simon and ourselves.”

Harland Simon’s retrofit methodology means that the existing system will remain operational until the new equipment is fully working and tested. Costs are minimized by retaining elements of the old system which can still be used and supported. Harland Simon has applied this approach on many occasions on systems supplied by Rockwell Automation, EAE, Goss, Honeywell and manroland.

John Staiano, Managing Director - Americas for Harland Simon, further commented, “This project is testimony to the StarPhoenix’s confidence in our proven track record. As with all single press facilities, our key concern here will be to maintain production throughout the upgrade process.”

The above solution has already been rolled out to a number of sites in Europe and Asia and follows on from more recent upgrades at Total Trib Media, PA, Butler Eagle, PA and La Prensa, Panama.

About Harland Simon
Harland Simon is one of the world’s leading supplier of newspaper press control and management systems. With its roots going back to 1915, the company has been providing innovative, user-friendly and reliable solutions to the newspaper printing industry for over thirty years, from ‘turnkey’ systems for new presses to cost effective upgrades on existing presses.

Utilizing the benefits of industry-standard hardware and software platforms, Harland Simon offers a complete range of products and solutions including press drives and controls as well as associated computer management systems and production tools. It’s an approach that Harland Simon has used on many occasions previously on systems supplied by Goss, Rockwell Automation, KBA, Honeywell, EAE and manroland to improve performance, minimize waste and maximize production quality whilst keeping presses in daily production.

(http://www.harlandsimon.com)