Diamond Color Navigator represents the future of how color matching and press operation will be accomplished without manual manipulation of ink keys and other console-based controls.

With the difficulty of hiring skilled operators, printing as a craft and art is becoming a thing of the past. Currently, conventional color matching on press depends largely on operator skill. This involves not only manually adjusting and changing ink supply volume using ink key buttons on the remote control desk, but also knowledge of color separations. Operators must understand the individual colors that require adjustments to make the necessary color change.

Color Navigator automatically corrects all necessary ink key openings based on the operator's visual color sense using a revolutionary touch screen color wheel.

Fast, accurate fine-tuning
Mitsubishi's color adjustment interface ensures fast, accurate fine-tuning of colors without complicated ink key moves. Compared with manual adjustments, Color Navigator cuts color adjustment time in half and increases reproduction accuracy by nearly one-third.

Upper and lower touch monitors
Color Navigator consists of upper and lower touch monitors attached to a separate console located next to the Mitsubishi COMRAC control console. The upper monitor displays the print image as it appears on the press sheet. The operator uses this image to select individual ink zones to be changed to match the color proof.

The lower monitor displays the key adjustment zones and the adjustment operation panel. A color wheel used to adjust color is located on this lower monitor. The color wheel automatically adjusts the selected color to be changed by raising or lowering in correct proportion whatever CMYK colors are needed to create that particular color on the image.

The operator inputs desired adjustments on the lower monitor, then sends the adjustments to the press. Color Navigator simultaneously moves the appropriate keys on each print unit.

A hand-held spectro-densitometer enables color matching of specific spots on the sheet. Color Navigator works with the Mitsubishi Color Control System for precise reproduction of images across the entire sheet.

Basic press functions
In addition, operators can control basic functions of the press. Within Color Navigator's touch monitors are controls for registration, ink and water fountain rollers rotation speeds and ink ductor on/off function. Touch screen adjustments eliminate the need for manual controls on the remote press console.

As closed-loop and color adjustment systems such as Color Navigator become more advanced, we eventually will see the removal of ink key buttons and other controls from the remote control desk.