Axel Springer will work with QI-EAE to develop an overarching control platform for its multiple plants.

The group's Berlin-Spandau printing plant is to become the third to install QI Press Controls colour measurement and control systems.

The automation package includes 26 IDS-3D cameras with colour register and control, each with ink mist shields, ductor and dampening control, fault detection and front-to-back register. Five mRC-3D cameras will deal with cut-off and side-lay ribbon control.

The order covers 13 of the 24 manroland Colorman towers and four of the eight folders at Berlin-Spandau.

Project leader Stefan Fricke says they are convinced IDS-3D will bring about considerable reductions in workload and an increase in print quality: "We are also intent on maintaining close collaboration with QI and EAE in the future, specifically by working with them to develop a new overarching control platform for the printing plants within the Axel Springer group."

Axel Springer Druckhaus Spandau project manager Michael Schandelmaier says the QI-EAE merger has created the possibility for ASDS to establish a single control platform for the various Axel Springer printing plants, and QI-EAE chairman Erik van Holten says the companies will continue to work closely to develop this overarching control platform: "Our respective specialisations enable the entire printing process at Axel Springer to be automated," he says.

The Spandau plant produces nine daily newspapers, two weekly papers, five Sunday papers, and commercial products for various markets.

Pictured: Michael Schandelmaier - overarching control platform possible