Interbus loop encoders have been replaced on a manroland press at the Des Moines Register, Iowa, one of Gannett's largest newspapers.

Contractor Harland Simon says the project is part of a multi-phase upgrade which has already seen the replacement of the press control system on three manroland Geoman presses.

Replacing the proprietary encoders, engineers installed remote I/O to facilitate a better way of interfacing to new devices, enabling the use of off-the-shelf components such as proximity sensors.

Managing director - Americas John Staiano says separating this project into multiple phases maximise upgrade potential while minimising cost and impact on production.