Techkon Spectro Jet User manual

TECHKON
Manual Color Meter
Scan-Measurement-Device
SpectroJet
Software
ExPresso 3
by
PCE Americas Inc.
711 Commerce Way
Suite 8
Jupiter
FL-33458
USA
From outside US: +1
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]
www.pce-instruments.com/english
www.pce-instruments.com
PCE Instruments UK Ltd.
Units 12/13
Southpoint Business Park
Ensign way
Hampshire / Southampton
United Kingdom, SO31 4RF
From outside UK: +44
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]

TECHKON manuals, technical documentation and programs are copyrighted. Reproduction,
translation or transfer to an electronic medium – in whole or in parts – is prohibited.
TECHKON software is the intellectual property of TECHKON GmbH. Purchase of the soft-
ware grants the user a license for the use on one computer only. Programs may only be copied
for back-up purposes.TECHKON can not be held liable for any damages that may occur by the
use of the software.
The TECHKON team takes great care in producing this manual. Nevertheless, we can not fully
guarantee the complete absence of errors.TECHKON GmbH and the authors can not be held
liable neither for any possibly incorrect statements nor their consequences.
Products that are not made by TECHKON GmbH are mentioned for information purposes
only and such statements do not represent trademark infringement. All registered trademarks
are recognized.
TECHKON products and product names are registered internationally under several intellec-
tual patents and trademarks.
Specifications can be subject to change without notice.
Version 1.1, June 2010
You can reach us at the following address:
TECHKON GmbH
 WiesbadenerStr.27•D-61462Königstein/
         

Welcome
We welcome you among the worldwide community of users of TECHKON prod-
ucts.We are happy that you have selected this high-quality measurement instrument.
It will be a valuable tool for your day-to-day quality control tasks. With this manual
weinviteyoutolearnhowtouseSpectroJet,thesoftwareExPresso3andSpectro-
Connect.
The manual is divided into four chapters:
Chapter 1: General description of the measurement system
Chapter 2: Installation of
SpectroJetandthesoftwareExPresso3
 Chapter3: HowtouseSpectroJetandthesoftwareExPresso3
 Chapter4: HowtousetheWindowssoftwareSpectroConnect
You will be fascinated how easy the system is to use.You will know how to work with
SpectroJet after only a few minutes.The third chapter will show you detailed insight
into the measurement functions.
Please get the device registered by using the detachable registration card, which is the
last page of this manual.That way we can keep you updated about product news.
Pleasevisitusaswellontheinternetat
Do you have any suggestions for improvements or do you require information that
goes beyond the contents of this manual?We will be glad to hear from you.Your sug-
gestions or questions make an important contribution to the continuous optimization
of our documentation and products.
YourTECHKONTeam

Contents
Chapter 1: General description of the measurement system
1.1 Product description.............................................................................. 5
1.2 Packing list .............................................................................................9
Chapter 2: Installation of SpectroJetandthesoftwareExPresso3
2.1 Assembly of SpectroJet .......................................................................10
 2.2 InstallationofthesoftwareExPresso3 ...........................................11
Chapter3: HowtouseSpectroJetandthesoftwareExPresso3
 3.1 OperationofSpectroJet......................................................................12
 3.2 Careandmaintenance.........................................................................17
 3.3 Softwareoverview................................................................................ 20
 3.4 Softwaresettings................................................................................... 23
 3.5 Deningandrunningaprintjob .......................................................40
Chapter4: HowtousetheWindowssoftwareSpectroConnect
 4.1 Softwaredescription ...................................................................... 62
 4.2 Installation......................................................................................... 62
 4.3 Overview .......................................................................................... 63
 4.4 Softwaremodule“SpectroJetsettings” ...................................... 64
 4.5 Deviceupdate .................................................................................. 65
 4.6 Softwaremodule“Export”............................................................ 66
 4.7 Softwaremodule“ColorCatcher” .............................................. 67
 4.8 Softwaremodule“PhotoLab”....................................................... 68
 4.9 Softwaremodule„MediaWedge“................................................ 71
Appendix:
Technical specifications
Manufacturer certificate
EC-Declaration of Conformity
Registration card

Manual TECHKON SpectroJet Chapter 1 – General description Page 5
Chapter 1
General description of the measurement system
1.1 Product description
Accurate, fast and easy to use
SpectroJet revolutionizes automatic measurements of print quality on print control
bars, color wedges and test charts.
Color measurement made easy: The compact measurement device is quickly guided
by hand along the color bar. Tracking wheels on the bottom of the device ensure a se-
cure and straight run. At longer distances the device can be slid along a guiding track.
The measurement data is transferred simultaneously to a PC in order to control the
color quality of the printing press.
All-purpose device
Thanks to the modular concept of SpectroJet it can be used for any printing process
and quality standard. ISO 12647, PSO, Fogra media wedge, Gracol G7™ or any other
standardization method can be applied: SpectroJet will always deliver all relevant mea-
surement data necessary for evaluating high quality prints.
The supplied software TECHKON SpectroConnect displays clearly all measurement
values on the computer screen, which are transferred by SpectroJet via an USB
connection. All measurement values can be exported as well into other applications,
such as Microsoft Excel™ for example. The additionally available software TECHKON
ExPresso is especially suited for the evaluation and documentation of the print quality
according to various quality control methods, e. g. ISO 12647 or Gracol G7™.
ISO compliant measurements
By software command a physical polarizing filter can be inserted which is the pre-
condition for conforming to the print standards. Multiple functions – color densities,
colorimetry, printing contrast, gray balance, dot gain or ink setting recommendations –
SpectroJet is a versatile and valuable tool for achieving highest print quality and
boosting the productivity of a printing press.

Page 6 Manual TECHKON SpectroJet Chapter 1 – General description
All advantages at a glance:
Easy to handle
• forautomaticmeasurementsofcolori-
metric values, densities, dot gain, print-
ing contrast and gray balance
• TECHKONExPressoPC-softwarecan
be operated with or without the touch-
screen
Modular and compact
• workswithanysheetorpressformat
• space-savingmeasurementdevicets
on any table
• alsooninclinedtablesperfectlyto
handle
• deliverycontainsallcomponentssup-
plied in a practical carrying case
Easy to install
• installationismadewithinseconds
• measurementdeviceismaintenance
free
• robustdesignforreliablefunctionin
a harsh industrial environment
Complete measurement information
• anycolorbarcanbemeasured
(patch size has to match aperture size)
• colorbarcanbeatanylocationonthe
printed sheet
• nolimitationonpaperthickness
• universallydesignedforISO12647
(PSO), Gracol G7™ or any other
quality standard
• idealforreadingFogramediawedge
and similar color control targets

Manual TECHKON SpectroJet Chapter 1 – General description Page 7
Accurate
• precisespectralengineinpatented
measurement head with automatically
insertable polarizing filter for easy
positioning conforming to ISO and
DIN standards (e. g. CIE L*a*b*- and
∆E-measurements)
• UVcutlteroptionavailable
Fast
• highresolutionspectralmeasurement
of a complete color bar within seconds
(e.g. 500 mm in only 3 seconds!)
• informationoverviewdisplaysrelevant
parameters for quality control in real-
time
The perfect tool for spot-
and scan-measurements.
The guiding track Spectro-
Jet Track, which is option-
ally available, supports the
accurate scanning of long
color bars.
TECHKON SpectroJet
is the ideal extension to
TECHKON’s renown
hand held instruments:
SpectroPlate is the
perfect tool for accurately
reading printing plates
and SpectroDens is the
mobile, multi-purpose
spectro-densitometer,
which can be used at any
location.
TECHKON SpectroJet is
delivered as a complete
turn-key system.Within a
few minutes the system is
up and running.
One unique feature of
SpectroJet is its flexibility
to be used with any press
type or format.

Page 8 Manual TECHKON SpectroJet Chapter 1 – General description
Dimensions
Two different performance packages
The scan-measurement device SpectroJet and the MS-Windows software ExPresso
form a complete quality control system for increasing productivity and quality of a
printing press.
There are two different versions available:
SpectroJet + ExPresso Basic
consists of the spectral measuring device
SpectroJet and the MS-Windows software
ExPresso Basic with the following func-
tions:
• inkzonespecicdensitydisplay
• colordensityforCMYKandspotcolors
(spectral density)
• measurementdataexport
• densitometricgraybalance
• dotarea,dotgainandprintingcontrast
• slur/doublingvalue
• targetvalues,references,tolerances,
OK sheet
• face-andreverseprinting
• workswithanycolorbarlength
• displayofsinglemeasurementswhen
used as a hand held device
• statisticalanalysisandreport
• supportsupto6printingunits
SpectroJet + ExPresso Pro
contains the same functions as the
“Basic” package and additionally:
• inkzonespeciccolorimetric
∆E*a*b* display, CIE L*a*b*, ∆L*a*b*,
L*C*h*, ∆L*C*h*
• “InkCheck”recommendationforink
key setting
• displayandevaluationaccordingto
ISO 12647, Gracol G7™ generator
• supportsupto16printingunits
A post-purchase software-upgrade from
the Basic- to the Pro-version can be
done easily.
70 mm
135 mm

Manual TECHKON SpectroJet Chapter 1 – General description Page 9
1.2 Packing list
Contents of delivery:
• Color meter  SpectroJet
• whitestandard,ACadapterwithuniversalplugs,
USB cable, carrying case
• CDwithsoftwareSpectroConnect
• printcontrolstripTECHKONTCSDigital
• manualwithISO9000certicate
System requirements for TECHKON software:
MS-WindowsXP,Vistaor7.
Optional accessories:
• SpectroJetTrack:horizontaltrackwithtwoverticalbars
Standard length: SpectroJet Track 52 (520 mm), 74 (740 mm) or 102 (1020 mm).
Special lengths on request
• softwareTECHKONExPresso
delivered on CD with software protection key (USB-dongle)
• printcontrolstripsTECHKONTCS,availableasEPS-andpdf-lesonCD
 (canbedownloadedfreeofcharge  
• software-upgradesfromExPressoBasictoExPressoPro
The carrying case protects SpectroJet and parts

Page 10 Manual TECHKON SpectroJet Chapter 2 – Installation
Chapter 2
Installation of SpectroJet and the software ExPresso 3
2.1 Assembly of SpectroJet
SpectroJet is a solidly designed measurement device which is very functional and easy
to use. It is compact in size; the buttons can be reached with the right index finger
when the device is held with the right hand. The LED row is always visible.
A great advantage of SpectroJet is the fact, that it can be easily positioned on the
measurement sample.
The device incorporates a high-resolution spectral sensor which analyzes the color
spectrum of the measured sample. The spectral data is the base information for calcu-
lating densitometric and colorimetric data which is displayed. Densitometric values
can be solid density, dot area, dot gain or trapping values. Colorimetric values are
typically CIE L*a*b*- or ΔE-color information.
The USB-connector is for linking with a PC. The self-locking push-pull-connector fits
into the socket at the back of the device.
Grip zone
USB connector
Device label with
serial number at
the bottom of the
device
Measurement
head
Green measurement
button
LED row
Tracking wheels
Stop rail for
guiding track

Manual TECHKON SpectroJet Chapter 2 – Installation Page 11
2.2 Installation of the software ExPresso 3
System requirements:
• PCwithMS-WindowsXP,Vistaor7
• 2USBports
• Screenresolution:1024x768or
higher
The software is optimized to be operated
with a touch sensitive screen
(forexample:Elotouch1715L17").
However, working without a touchscreen
by using a conventional mouse / trackpad
and keyboard is also possible.
Recommended color bar:
Print control strip TECHKON TCS Digital
(includedwithExPresso3software).
Installation:
It is important to carry out the following
steps in the right order, to make sure that
the USB device drivers will be installed
properly.
1. Make sure that SpectroJet and the USB-
dongle(softwareprotectionkey)areNOT
connected to the PC. Insert the TECHKON
CD into the CD drive of the computer. (You
willndtheCDatthebackofthemanual).
2. Select “ExPresso Installation” from the
menu.The installation routine will start auto-
matically. Follow the steps of the installation,
until it is completed.
3. Now, after the installation was finished
successfully you can connect SpectroJet with
the USB cable and the USB-dongle to the PC.
4.TECHKONExPressocannowbelaunched.

Page 12 Manual TECHKON SpectroJet Chapter 3 – How to use SpectroJet
Chapter 3
How to use SpectroJet and the software ExPresso 3
3.1 Operation of SpectroJet
Installation of SpectroJet
• Connectthepush-pull-connector(1.)of
the included data cable with the socket at the
backofthedevice.Pleasemakesurethatyou
connectthecableproperly.Thereddots(2.)
on the connector and the socket will guide
you.Theconnectorhastosnapinaudible.
Tip:Disconnecttheconnectorfromthede-
vice,bygraspingtheutedareaatthefront
oftheconnector.Thusthemovablepartof
theconnectorwillshiftbackwhenpulled
andtheadjustmentoftheconnectorinthe
socketwillbereleased.
• ConnecttheUSB-connector(3.)atthe
otherendofthecablewiththePCandthe
secondbranchofthecable,whichendsin
aphonesocket(4.),withthephonejackof
theACadaptercable.NowconnecttheAC
adaptertothepowernetwork.
WhenthegreenLEDinthemiddleofthe
LEDrowisashing,SpectroJetisreadyfor
use.
Toswitchoffthedevice,youjusthaveto
disconnecttheACadapterfromthepower
network.
TheACadaptercanbeuseduniversallyfor
100–240Vandafrequencyof47–63Hz.
Therearethreeadapterplugsfordifferent
countries.Forchanging,justpulltheplugand
pushinthenewone.Make sure that the plug
adapterhasatighttanduseonlytheorigi-
nalTECHKONSpectroJetACadapter.
ACadapterwithuniversalplugs
UK USA
Europe
Data cable
1.3.4.
Push-pull-connectionofSpectroJet
2.

Manual TECHKON SpectroJet Chapter 3 – How to use SpectroJet Page 13
TECHKONoffersoptionallytheguidingtrack
SpectroJetTrackindifferentlengths,which
matchestothemostcurrentprintingsheet
formats.
Fortheinstallationyouneedtheholder,the
guidingtrackandthetwometalbars.
• Firsttaketheincludedscrewdriverandat-
tachtheholdertothestoprailatthebackof
theSpectroJetdevice.
• Nowthetwoverticalmetalbars,having
self-adhesivetapeonthebackside,areat-
tachedtothetableorconsole.Thedistance
ofthemetalbarsfromeachotherisgivenby
thelengthoftheguidingtrack.Thevertical
barsshouldatonesidepreferablyushwith
thelay-onedgeofthetable.
• Makesure,thattheverticalbarsareparal-
lelandwellalignedinordertoholdtheleft
andrightendoftheguidingtrack,whichwill
attachmagneticallytotheverticalbars.
• FinallymountSpectroJetwiththexed
holderontotheguidingtrack.
Theresistanceofthetrackingwheelsatthe
bottomofthedevicecanbeadjusted.
• InsertanAllenkey(1,5)intothelittle
hole(1.)whichislocatednearthedevice
labelwiththeserialnumberatthebottom
ofSpectroJet.Whenyouturnthescrewkey
clockwiseyouwilldecreasetheresistance.
Turningthescrewkeyanticlockwisewillre-
sultinahigherresistance.
Thusyoucancustomizethemovementchar-
acteristicsofSpectroJettoyourpreferred
wayofworkingwhenusingthedevicein
scanningmode.
Guiding track SpectroJet Track (Accessory)
Adjustment of the tracking wheels
Guiding track SpectroJet Track
1.

Page14 Manual TECHKON SpectroJet Chapter 3 – How to use SpectroJet
Scan measurements
• PlaceSpectroJetonthecolorbarwith
themeasurementaperturejustaheadofthe
rstsection,youwanttomeasure.Pressthe
greenmeasurementbutton.Afteranacoustic
signalantheilluminationofthewholeLED
row,starttoscanthecolorbaratconstant
speed.Aftertherstmeasurementrunyou
havecompletedthedensitometricmeasure-
mentanyouwillhear,thatthepolarization
lterisswitchedoffforthecolorimetric
measurement.
• Nowmovethedeviceinaconstantspeed
backtothepointwhereyoustartedthe
measurement.
Ifdensitometricmeasurementswithout
polarizationlterarecarriedout,onlyone
measurementrunisnecessary(whichisthe
standardpracticeintheUSA).
Thefasteryoumovethemeasurement
devicealongthecolorbar,themoreofthe
greenLEDswilllightupintheLEDrow.
WhentheorangeLEDashesup,thelimit
rangeofthespeedisreached.
IfthespeedwastoohighandSpectroJetwas
notabletoreadallmeasurementpatches,
theredLEDattheendoftherowlightsup
together with three acoustic signals and the
softwaredisplaysthatthemeasurementpro-
cedurehasbeenaborted.Inthatcaserepeat
themeasurementatlowerspeed.
Ifthemeasurementwascarriedoutsuccess-
fullyashortdoublesignalcanbeheardand
themeasurementdataarecapturedbythe
software.
Makesurethatthemeasurementheadis
alignedexactlywiththecolorbar.

Manual TECHKON SpectroJet Chapter 3 – How to use SpectroJet Page15
Spot measurements
How to measure
Pleaseensurethatthedevicealwayshasarmstandonasolidandatsurface.The
rubberwheelspreventthedevicefromslippingintheverticaldirection. Theremust
notbeadistancebetweenthemeasurementheadandthesamplewherelightcould
passthrough,becausethiscaninuencethemeasurement.Thecoloroftheback-
groundmaterialunderneaththemeasurementsamplecanhaveaninuenceonthe
measurementresult.Differenttechnicalstandardsdescribewhichbackingmaterialto
use.Intheprintingindustrythefollowingprocedureiswidelyused:Whitebackingfor
singleprintedpapersandblackbackingfordoubleprintedsheetsinordertoavoid
thatthebackprintedsidemightshinethroughthepaperandinuencethemeasure-
ment.
Heretheoptionalavailableguidingtrack
SpectroJetTrackisahelpfultool.
• Whenusingcolorbarswithapatchheight
smallerthan4,5mm,theedgeofthemea-
surementheadofthedevicehastobeplaced
exactlyattheupperedgeofthecolorbar,to
ensurethatthemeasurementheadisposi-
tionedcorrectlyonthepatches.
• Whenusingcolorbarswithapatchheight
higherthan4,5mm,themeasurementhead
hastobeplacedwiththemeasurementaper-
tureatthebottomedgeofthecolorbar.
• Tocarryoutaspotmeasurementjustposi-
tionthedevicewiththemeasurementhead
onasinglemeasurementpatchandpressthe
greenmeasurementbuttonshortly.
DuringthemeasurementprocessallLEDs
ashupsimultaneously.Adoublesoundcon-
rms,thatthemeasurementiscompleted
andthemeasurementdataaredisplayedby
theExPressosoftwareinthewindow“Spot
measurement”.

Page16 Manual TECHKON SpectroJet Chapter 3 – How to use SpectroJet
Paper white calibration
Apaperwhitecalibrationcanbecarriedoutbykeepingthegreenbuttonpressedfor
afewseconds.Themeasurementaperturehastobepositionedonanon-printedarea
ofthesheet.
Absolute white calibration
The absolute white calibration is carried out on the absolute white standard which is
included.SpectroJetmustbeplacedonthestandard,withthemeasurementaperture
ontheceramictile.Makesurethattheceramicwhitestandardiscleanandnotde-
fective.
AbsolutewhitestandardofSpectroJet
• ChooseintheExPressoSoftwareunder
“SettingsMeasuring conditions Mea-
surementdevices”thebutton“Settings”and
presstheninthe“Measurementsettings”
windowthebutton“AbsoluteWhiteCalibra-
tion”.SpectroJetwillconrmthecalibration
withanacousticsignalandtheExPressosoft-
waredisplaysthatthecalibrationwascarried
outsuccessfully.

Manual TECHKON SpectroJet Chapter 3 – How to use SpectroJet Page17
3.2 Care and maintenance
SpectroJetisahighly-preciseopticalinstrument.Itisdesignedtoworkinharsh,indus-
trialenvironments.However,itshouldbehandledwithcare. Avoidmechanicalshocks,
heat,dustyorhumidenvironments.
Cleaning
Althoughthemeasurementheadwiththeopticalsystemissealedagainstdustand
dirt,takecarethatthevisible,openmeasurementapertureisalwaysfreeofdust.
Youcancleanthemeasurementaperturewithoil-free,cleancompressedairanda
brushusedforcleaningphotographicequipment.
Cleanthedevicecasingonlywithasoftclothandanon-aggressiveplasticcleaner.
Neverusealcoholorchemicallyaggressivesolvent-basedcleanerswhichcandestroy
thesurfaces.
Thesameprocedureisvalidforthewhitestandard.Asoftclothmadeofmicro-
bersisespeciallywellsuitedforcleaningthewhiteceramictile.Ifthewhitestandard
shouldbedefective,ithastobereplacedcompletely.
Cleantherubberofthetrackingwheelsregularlywithacloth.Donotuseaggressive
cleanersforthisprocedure.
Pleasedonotstickanylabelsatthebottomofthedevice.Thiscouldleadtofaulty
measurements,becausethedeneddistance–whichisimportantforthecorrect
opticaleldofdepth–mightnotbemaintained.

Page 18 Manual TECHKON SpectroJet Chapter 3 – How to use SpectroJet
1. Releasethetwoscrewscompletelyso
theycanbetakenout.Nowtheaperturecan
beliftedfromthemeasurementhead.
2. Whendisassemblingorassemblingan
aperture take care that no dust enters the
opticalelements.Donotpressthescrews
tootightinordertoavoiddamagingthe
threads.
Exchanging apertures
Themeasurementaperturecanbereplacedforcleaningpurposes.Aspecialscrew-
drivertypeTORXT6isrequiredandwhichisincludedintodelivery.
• Forthedisassemblyandassemblyoftheapertureturntheinstrumentupsidedown.
Useasoftclothasprotectivelayertoavoidanyscratchesofthecase-surface.
• AftereachcleaningoftheapertureanewwhitecaIibrationhastobecarriedout.

Manual TECHKON SpectroJet Chapter 3 – How to use SpectroJet Page 19
Error handling
• ShouldSpectroJetdonotworkproperly,rstcheck,iftheExPressosoftwareis
runningcorrectly.Thestatusbarinthelowerrightcornerwilldisplayifthedevice
communicatescorrectlywiththePC.
RestartingthesoftwareExPressoisalsorecommendedwhenaproblemoccurred.
• Checkthattherightmeasurementdeviceisselectedinthesoftwaresettings.
• CheckiftheACadapterisconnectedcorrectlytothemainsplugandthedevice.
Whenconnectedproperly,SpectroJetshowsaashinggreenLEDinthemiddleof
theLEDrow.
Warranty
ThewarrantyforTECHKONproductsis24monthsstartingwiththedateofpur-
chase.Theinvoiceisthecerticateofwarranty.Thewarrantyisinvalidifthedamage
iscausedbyinadequateuseofthedevice.
ShouldaTECHKONproductdonotworkaccordingtothespecication,please
contactusbeforesendingusthedevice.Inmostcaseswecansolvetheproblemover
thephoneorviaE-mail.
Inspection intervals
TECHKONSpectroJetismaintenancefree.Werecommendto validate the
complete functionality of the devices in a 24 months time interval in the
TECHKONservicecenter.Weofferacompletedevicecheckasaservicepackage.
Pleasecontactusfordetails.
Foraatfeethedevicewillbecleaned,checkedandrecalibrated.Incasearepairor
exchangeofcomponentsshouldbenecessarywewillinformyou.Pleasesendthe
devicealwayssecurelyinthecarryingcasewithcompleteaccessories.

Page 20 Manual TECHKON SpectroJet Chapter 3 – How to use SpectroJet
3.3 Software overview
ThesoftwareExPressoisclearlystructured. Themenubarcomprisesthethreesec-
tions“Printjob”(bluebuttons),“Settings”(yellowbuttons)and“Exit”(graybutton).
Theappropriatesubmenulayersfollowthiscolorsystempersistently.
Print job:
*ExPressoProonly
P.40
P.41
P.47
P.56
P.41 P.42
P.43 P.45
P.47P.50(GrayGuideP.51)
P.52* P.53*
P.56* P.57*
P.59 P.60