Release Date: December, 2011
What’s new in SHOTS V5.1 :
Version numbers and availability for operating systems
| Product | Version | Win2000 | WinXP | Vista | Seven |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shots | 5.1 | N/A | X | X | X |
| Shots HoneyWell connected | 5.1_C | N/A | X | X | X |
| Shots MAN Pecom connected | 5.1_C | N/A | X | X | X |
Heidelberg interface based on SM now available
The SHOTS pressroom with the new Heidelberg interface as used at the WorldSkills competition in London 2011.
- Pressroom with heidelberg press
The print jobs and exercises from the WorldSkills London 2011 are available in this release.
The previous generic interface for SHOTS is still available and the exercises are fully compatible with both press configurations.
The Heildelberg-type central console is the place to manage ink and water balance and registration.
- Heidelberg Startup console
From the interface header, you have access to the different tabs : production speed, press overview, printing units, ink dampening, register controls and color measurement. The SPS (Sinapse Print Simulators) tab groups information about current exercises, costs, diagnostics and log access
This interface is available in 14 languages.
Printing units: their controls have been designed to reflect as much as possible the look and feel of Heidelberg presses.
- Overview of the printing unit
To show security issues, printing cylinders are shown differently whether the machine is running or stopped.
Important: this Heidelberg version requires a screen resolution of 1280 x 1024 pixels for the “press interface”. To check the compatibility of your equipment, run the software control panel on Windows and verify the display setup. If your computer cannot use this resolution, a message will warn you and the Heidelberg press won’t start. To avoid this issue, use an external monitor (capable to display a 1280 x 1024 screen resolution or more) and setup the simulator with one screen. Then, use the arrows on the keyboard to properly position the windows.
Ink variability during printing
Every one knows that ink density changes during printing. To better reflect this, the ink density can now show slight variations, while staying within the accepted tolerances. Thus, the ink profile given by the online densitometer is more realistic as shown here for the online densitometers of both interfaces:
Generic interface:
- Generic interface for scandensitometer
Heidelberg interface :
- Scandensitometer in Heildelberg interface
New paper grades available
Higher paper grades have been added to the simulator. The range of papers has been expanded to include 320g and 600g. They can be selected in the context of the exercise. Users may have to adapt the printing pressure when changing paper grade.
Evolutions in the paper and ink management functions
The trainer can define the number of sheets in the input pile at the beginning of the training session in an exercise.
Fountain ink levels now dynamically visible on the press
During printing, fountain ink levels decrease due to ink consumption.
This can now be seen on the press in real time. In the picture below, we see that the level of the yellow ink is high while the magenta is low. Some ink clearly needs to be added in the magenta ink fountain with the spatula.
- Dsiplay of ink fountain level
On the Heidelberg interface, a message will warn you in case of lack of consumables:
- Consumables menu
Ink and paper costs now calculated separately
Ink cost now appears separately from the paper cost (material cost). Printers often run with too much ink and water. This will now show up in the costs.
- View of cost menu
Software key instead of Hardware key
To avoid loss of hardware protection keys (“the dongles”), all our products are now provided with software keys, based on a new protection system named HASP. A web-based interface allows IT managers and customers to check the licensing terms of their product. Note that hardware keys are still available as an extra-cost option.
Customers using old keys will be invited to exchange their keys for free when updating their products or purchasing new versions.
Reminder of New Features in recent versions
Version 5.0 : Release date November 2010
- New languages available
- Customized configuration for both special inks
- New information on job setup console
- Educational server (distributed training, centralized supervision)
- User management function
- Simulator ready for Windows 7
Download What’s new in SHOTS V5.0
Version 4.7 : Release date October 2009
- WorldSkills Calgary 2009
- Speech synthesis as option for all available languages
- Improvement of Ink profile management
- Separate Display for each Plate
- New tool for trainer: ASA module
- New tool for trainer: the USER report
- Two new print jobs available
- New information in trace report
- “Seeing” the trainee’s print copies
- Tracking the ink profile changes
- Color control and production information
Download What’s new in SHOTS V4.7
Version 4.6 : Release date October 2008
- Consumables Management (paper and ink)
- Display of good and bad sheets
- A new print fault: gloss problem
- Copyviewer : Display of print copies off line
- Password required to delete student traces
- Limiting the time spent on an exercise
- Ink screws numbering now visible on the « copydesk »
- New interface for ink screws settings
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