manroland web systems is upgrading controls on seven presses at Gannett sites in Indiana and Louisiana.

Covered are the five Geoman double-width presses at the Indianapolis Star, and two Uniset presses at the Daily Advertiser in Lafayette. Obsolete PECOM controls, parts of the drive controls and I/O hardware will be modernised, solving parts availability issues, increasing productivity and efficiency, and providing improved online diagnostics opportunities.

The old Interbus-Loop components are being replaced with new I/O-based Interbus modules, and manroland will retrofit controller hardware and configurations, provide wiring diagrams and controller-specific documentation, as well as maintenance training.

Rather than replacing entire systems, the approach is to assess technology, rate the urgency of each upgrade, and utilise the existing framework of the existing presses to provide maximum cost efficiency.

Gannett global publishing services vice president for the central region Bill Bolger says the process will ensure, “the most up to date technology allowing us to be more cost-effective and efficient”.