X-Rite iCPlate2 User manual

iCPlate2
EN
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iCPlate2
Plate Measuring Device
User Guide
Edition 2.1

iCPlate2
1•Table of contents EN
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Table of
Contents
General
Operation
Appendix
1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 3
2 GENERAL 5
2.1 INTRODUCTION 7
2.2 BRIEF GUIDE TO THE MANUAL 8
2.3 SAFETY 9
2.3.1 Warning 9
2.3.2 General safety tips 9
2.4 PACKAGING AND TRANSPORT 10
2.5 BASIC EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES 10
2.6 ACCESSORIES 11
2.6.1 PlateQuality Software 11
2.6.2 Capture Tool software 11
2.6.3 iCPlate2 Target 11
3 OPERATION 13
3.1 FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS 15
3.2 FIRST STEPS FOR USE 16
3.2.1 Power-saving mode 16
3.2.2 Toolbar 17
3.2.3 Identifying the symbols 17-21
3.3 ADJUSTING DEVICE SETTINGS 22
3.4 FOGRA MEASURING BAR FMB SETTING 23
3.5 INPUTTING A REFERENCE CURVE 24-25
3.6 MEASURING 26
3.6.1 General 26
3.6.2 Calibration 28
3.6.3 Measuring standard plates 28
3.6.4 Measuring polyester plates 29
3.6.5 Measuring film 29
3.6.6 Measuring paper 30
3.6.7 Measurement values 30-31

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3.7 VISUALLY CHECKING THE DOT 31
3.8 MEASURING A PLATE CHARACTERISTIC CURVE 32-33
3.9 iCPlate2 MAINTENANCE AND CARE 34
3.9.1 RESET 34
3.9.2 Replacing the batteries 35
4 APPENDIX 37
4.1 TECHNICAL DATA 39-40
4.2 SERIAL INTERFACE 41
4.3 UPGRADE TO ICPLATE2 XT 42
4.4 DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY 43
4.5 Warranty Information 44

iCPlate2
2•General EN
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1
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Table of
Contents
General
Operation
Appendix
2 GENERAL 5
2.1 INTRODUCTION 7
2.2 BRIEF GUIDE TO THE MANUAL 8
2.3 SAFETY 9
2.3.1 Warning 9
2.3.2 General safety tips 9
2.4 PACKAGING AND TRANSPORT 10
2.5 BASIC EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES 10
2.6 ACCESSORIES 11
2.6.1 PlateQuality Software 11
2.6.2 Capture Tool software 11
2.6.3 iCPlate2 Target 11

iCPlate2
2•General EN
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2 General
2.1 Introduction
Congratulations! You have just acquired the portable plate measuring device
iCPlate2 made by X-Rite. This device solves one of the most difficult tasks
in the printing industry – quick and accurate quality control of the Computer-
to-Plate (CtP) process. iCPlate2 meets the needs for the most popular offset
litho and polyester plate types with AM and FM screening. With iCPlate2 XT
where applicable the dot diameter, screen ruling, the screen angle and the
logarithmic visual coverage are calculated and displayed. To avoid having
to check each individual measurement during the linearization of a CtP, the
iCPlate2 XT offers the possibility of measuring an entire curve with up to 100
sample points and then transferring it to a host PC. Beside standard iCPlate2
measurement values, iCPlate2 supports measurement values according to the
Fogra Measuring Bar FMB.Through a purchased password, the iCPlate2 X can
be upgraded to an iCPlate2 XT at any time.
The power-saving electronics and LED technology allow up to 30,000
measurements for each set of batteries (2 ordinary commercial AA batteries),
which means that no limits are placed on mobility.
With the icon-based, graphical user interface X-Rite offers the user a simple,
easy to understand operating concept. Included in the complete package are
the iCPlate2 Target and the Capture Tool software. With theTarget, you can
check the device at any time and with the Capture Tool software data can be
copied into a word processor, a spreadsheet or another software program.
With the PlateQuality software, X-Rite offers an optional quality control
software to store and trace the measurements.
If you have proposals or ideas for improvements, we will be happy to receive
them. Please contact us via your official specialist dealer or over the Internet
(www.xrite.com).
The X-Rite team
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2.2 Brief guide to the manual
Descriptions marked with a only apply to the iCPlate2 XT and are
not part of the iCPlate2 X specification.
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2.3 Safety
2.3.1 Warning
For safety reasons it is absolutely necessary to read through the
user’s guide and all of the instructions it contains.
2.3.2 General safety tips
If the safety recommendations and instructions in this User Guide
are not complied with, this can lead to measurement errors or data
loss or involve physical injury or damage to property.
• iCPlate2 is not intrinsically safe.Therefore the device cannot
be used in an environment where there is a risk of explosion.
• iCPlate2 may not be used in an area with strong
electromagnetic fields.
• Use the iCPlate2 in ambient temperatures between 10°C (50°F) and
40°C (104°F), and do not expose the iCPlate2 to direct sun light.
• iCPlate2 should never be opened up.The guarantee expires
immediately upon unauthorized opening of the device. Contact
your official specialist dealer if repairs prove to be necessary.
•To avoid incorrect handling, the iCPlate2 should only be used by
trained personnel.
• iCPlate2 should only be used on dry and stable measuring planes.
• iCPlate2 should be protected against chemicals, corrosive vapors,
strong mechanical vibrations and impacts.
• Use original X-Rite spare parts and accessories only.
• Use the original packaging exclusively when transporting the device.
•The iCPlate2 casing can be cleaned with a slightly damp
cloth (soapy water).

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2.4 Packaging and transport
Always forward iCPlate2 in the original device case to avoid damage.
Safeguard the measuring foot by pushing back the locking device.
X-Rite rejects any liability for damage to the iCPlate2 during
transport that can be traced back to inadequate packaging or an
unsaved measuring foot.
2.5 Basic equipment and accessories
The iCPlate2 and the associated standard accessories are supplied in
a device case. Please check the contents of the device case for
completeness on delivery.
The following components must be present:
• iCPlate2 device
• iCPlate2 target
• Quick start guide
• Data cable
• iCPlate2 CD
• Device certificate
• Registration card

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2.6 Accessories
To perform and document quality control, it is often necessary to save
the measured data on a PC.
2.6.1 PlateQuality Software
The PlateQuality software stores, visualizes, and documents both
individual measurements and plate characteristic curve measurements.
This gives the operator a saved, visual dot reference to refer back to
when needed. Both measurement values and plate images are stored in
a database.
2.6.2 Capture Tool software
The Capture Tool software enables you to transfer the measured data
and binary images to your PC and to copy these into a given program
(e.g. word processor, spreadsheet).The screen dot as well as the
associated measurement values will be transferred and can then be
used for statistical analysis. This software is an ideal tool for
documenting measuring results.
2.6.3 iCPlate2 Target
The iCPlate2 Target is a long-term stable absolute reference. You can use
the iCPlate2 Target to test the device for its exactness, to carry out an
upgrade and if necessary to calibrate it.
The reference plate used by X-Rite is an extremely precise cut
glass substrate that is metal vaporized and, as is usual in
semi-conductor manufacturing, etched out. It is embedded in gray
plastic. The reference plate has a lifetime of two years. The expiration
date and the serial number are printed on the label.
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3 OPERATION 13
3.1 FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS 15
3.2 FIRST STEPS FOR USE 16
3.2.1 Power-saving mode 16
3.2.2 Toolbar 17
3.2.3 Identifying the symbols 17-21
3.3 ADJUSTING DEVICE SETTINGS 22
3.4 FOGRA Measuring Bar FMB setting 23
3.5 INPUTTING A REFERENCE CURVE 24-25
3.6 MEASURING 26-31
3.6.1 General 26-27
3.6.2 Calibration 28
3.6.3 Measuring standard plates 28
3.6.4 Measuring polyester plates 29
3.6.5 Measuring film 29
3.6.6 Measuring paper 30
3.6.7 Measurement values 30-31
3.7 VISUALLY CHECKING THE DOT 32
3.8 MEASURING A PLATE CHARACTERISTIC CURVE 33-34
3.9 iCPlate2 MAINTENANCE AND CARE 35
3.9.1 RESET 35
3.9.2 Replacing the batteries 36
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Table of
Contents
General
Operation
Appendix

iCPlate2
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3 Operation
3.1 Functional elements
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iCPlate2
3•Operation
Display
Positioning Aid
<ENTER> button
<DOWN> button
<RESET> button
0˚ edge
Locking device
RS232
interface
<UP> button

3.2 First steps for use
Release the measuring head by sliding the locking device on the left
side forward. After opening initially or after pressing the <RESET>
button (red button on the bottom side of the measuring head, the start-
up screen appears on the display.
The version number of the firmware and the device serial number are
shown on the bottom left of the screen. If you have technical queries,
please communicate this information to the manufacturer.
The device’s factory settings have been selected to enable you to begin
measuring plates immediately.The iCPlate2 is configured as follows:
• Standard plate
• Lines/cm
• Regular screen (AM)
• Red LED (a standard plate is typically measured with the red LED)
3.2.1 Power-saving mode
The iCPlate2 changes over automatically to power-saving mode after
approximately 20 seconds.This is announced by displaying the
‘Sleep’ symbol. The display will then fade out. Tapping any
button on the device will reproduce the last display.
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3.2.2 Toolbar
The toolbar appears on the right on the display and displays the
functions available using symbols. A cursor (black frame surrounding
the symbol) can be moved through the toolbar using the <UP> and
<DOWN> buttons (see section 3).
The function designated by the cursor is executed by pressing the
<ENTER> button. In normal operating mode the cursor fades out after
approximately 5 seconds, so that no undesired function is executed by
the user mistakenly pressing the <ENTER> button. To re-display the
cursor simply tap the <UP> or <DOWN> button.
3.2.3 Meaning of the symbols
3.2.3.1 Change display mode
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Next display
Previous display
Change to image display for a visual dot inspection
Increase representation resolution (1,2700 ppi)
Reduce representation resolution (6,350 ppi)
Display characteristic dot curve
Display settings

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3.2.3.2 Move the sub-cursor
Shift the sub-cursor from left to right
Shift the sub-cursor from right to left
Shift the sub-cursor downwards
Shift the sub-cursor upwards

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3.2.3.3 Device Settings
Standard plate
Polyester plate
Paper
Film
Screen ruling in lines/cm
Screen ruling in lines/inch
Regular screening (AM)
Stochastic screening (FM)
Illumination for plate measurement
R (Red LED), G (Green LED), B (Blue LED)
Color for paper measurement C (Cyan LED),
M (Green LED), Y (Blue LED), K (Green LED)
Automatic CMY color recognition during paper measurement
Positive dot %
Negative dot %
iCPlate2 Measurement Mode
Fogra Measuring Bar (FMB) Measurement Mode

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3.2.3.4 Other functions
Transfer current record (binary image or characteristic curve) to the
host PC
Device is calculating (during measurement and data transfer)
Device is changing over to power-saving mode
Add reference value
Delete reference value
Restart and delete all previous settings
3.2.3.5 Symbols for measurement results
Screen ruling in lines/cm or lines/inch
Dot diameter in mm (based on a circular dot of the same surface area)
Screen angle in °
Visual coverage
iCPlate2
3•Operation