Print process simulation uses interactive

simulation A simulation is the imitation of the operation of a real-world process or system over time. Simulations require the use of models; the model represents the key characteristics or behaviors of the selected system or process, whereas the s ...

software to reproduce the operating conditions of complex multi-colour printing presses that often cost several million dollars. Simulators are available for different printing process technologies (Offset Sheetfed, Heatset and Coldset Web Offset; Flexographic and

Gravure Rotogravure (or gravure for short) is a type of intaglio printing process, which involves engraving the image onto an image carrier. In gravure printing, the image is engraved onto a cylinder because, like offset printing and flexography ...

Packaging), includes their consumables (like inks, plates, paper and other substrates) and where pertinent, in-line packaging operations (such as folding, cutting, label creation).

Simulation in education and training

Press operators get ‘hands-on’ experience in quality control and problem solving without the costs, dangers or unstructured training associated with learning on actual presses. A wide variety of printing conditions and problems are covered that are used for training, skills assessment, performance enhancement and process analysis. Simulation is a means of presenting infrequent problems before they happen so that they can be recognized when they do occur. Exercises can evaluate specific competencies and if they are used to solve problems. When possible, simulators training scenarios are linked to industry-standard curricula lik
PIA
the NAA ( Newspaper Association of America) and the Flexographic Technical Association.

Printing simulation

Typical systems include monitoring and cost analysis that allows the training process to correlate with versus the waste, cost and time on a ‘real’ press. The simulators can either be either connected to a press control console (like the 'cockpit' in a flight simulator) or run on standard micro computer hardware with single or multiple screens. Internet-based learning management systems now allow simulation exercises to be made in a one language/location and reviewed in another language by a training supervisor in a different location – what is traced is the interaction with the process, not the local name of the controls. Simulator connected to industrial console

Simulator connected to industrial console

it is estimated that over 2000 print simulators are installed worldwide (in 2013). Users include technical schools, universities, printing companies and their suppliers, who find that they cut costs, accelerate training time, and give a more thorough grounding in structured problem solving Simulators from Sinapse are used alongside real presses in the EuroSkills and WorldSkills competitions to select the best printer. Simulation based training is well adapted for the learning habits of today's world In 2013 the print simulation cloud-based learning system (DLMS) won a PIA (Printing Industries of America) Intertech Award:
Language-independent, it automatically analysed and compares training results from different countries, in different languages.
This DLMS was used at worldskillsLeipzig 2013 to analyze and compare results from contestants using simulators in 10+ languages.

References

* RIND Survey, January 2012, "Simulated press problem focusses on tackling production problems" * Printing News, May 14, 2001, "Useful as Training Assistants, Print Simulators taking off in print shops everywhere" {{Reflist, refs= {{cite web , url = http://www.myprintresource.com/magazine , title = Useful as Training Assistants, Print Simulators taking off in print shops everywhere 8.What They Think, March 9; 2011, "Press Simulation shows wide variety of uses at Transcontinental Mexico"
{{cite web , url = http://whattheythink.com/news/49610-press-simulation-wide-variety-uses-transcontinental-mexico/ , title = Press simulation shows wide variety of uses at Transcontinental Mexico , date = 9 Mar 2011 , accessdate = 8 Mar 2013 9.Quebec Imprimerie, N0 211, 2011, "Au dela de la formation sur presse"
10.http://www.sinapseprint.com/IMG/pdf/Case_study_Quebecor_ST_Cloud.pdf
11.Print/Print&Paper Europe, April 2004, Confronting the skills problem, p 247
{{cite web , title = Confronting the skills problem , page = 247 , date = Apr 2004 , publisher = {{url , 1 = http://www.paperandprint.com/print-and-paper-online.aspx , 2 = Print & Paper Online Magazine 12.Wall Street Journal, https://blogs.wsj.com/informedreader/2007/03/04/training-generation-y-to-work/
{{cite web , title = Training Generation Y to Work , url = https://blogs.wsj.com/informedreader/2007/03/04/training-generation-y-to-work/ , date = 4 Mar 2007 , accessdate = 8 Mar 2013 , newspaper = Wall Street Journal 13.GATF World, May/June 2003, "Using SHOTS"
14.New Heatset Simulator Generation - newsletter1
15.{{cite conference , conference = 43rd annual conference of the International Circle of Educational Institutes for Graphic Arts, Technology and Management , location = Norrköping Sweden , title = Development of knowledge and press-test based Heatset training simulator , url = http://www.hdm-stuttgart.de/international_circle/conferences/11norrkoeping/abstracts/view?get_id=18-herman , format = abstract , conference-url = http://ic2011.itn.liu.se/index.php?s=conference , author1-first = Peter , author1-last = Herman , author2-first = Laurent , author2-last = Grimaldi , author3-first = Gerd , author3-last = Carl , publisher = {{url , 1 = http://www.hdm-stuttgart.de/international_circle , 2 = International Circle of Teaching Institute for Polygraphic industry , date = September 19–23, 2011 , accessdate = March 8, 2013 16.icgq transcon case study
17.shorewood case study
18.field case study
19.lithokrone case study
20.ifra case study
{{url , 1 = http://www.flexography.org , 2 = Flexographic Technical Association {{url , 1 = www.sinapseprint.com , 2 = Sinapse Print – Training Simulators & Software {{url , 1 = http://www.worldskills.org , 2 = WorldSkills International Printing