Gravure cylinders are often produced by means of electromechanical burin engraving. Here, the cell shape is known through the shape of the stylus. Here, the 2D measuring method is ideal, offering high working speed and process reliability. The DotScope mini 2D is optimised for this application. It offers the additional option of depth measurement and, by dispensing with ring illumination, a clear view of the measuring field.

In the case of etched or lasered gravure cylinders, the depth profile of the cells is not known. Even with engraved special screens such as Xtreme or the analysis of chrome plating, a pure 2D analysis is not sufficient. This is where the DotScope mini 3D comes in handy, as it enables true 3D analyses.

In addition, it is often necessary to measure certain details on the cylinder. To find these easily and quickly, an xy adjustment and an objective nosepiece are very helpful. For example, one can search for a certain detail with the 5x objective, then - without losing the measuring position - switch to the 10x objective and carry out the analysis.

Cell transverse diagonal and longitudinal diagonal, channel

The DotScope software has special algorithms for automatic 2D measurement of engraved gravure cylinders. These reliably deliver correct results even with very narrow walls. The intelligent algorithms and the high-quality optics enable measurement accuracies that are significantly better than with conventional cell measuring devices. Thus, the usual measuring accuracy is achieved even at low magnifications such as 5x or 10x.

Screen and screen angle

With automatic measurement (2D or 3D), the screen and screen angle are determined automatically.

Wall width and diagonal measurement

For these two measurements, there are tools, intelligent measuring lines, which independently align themselves to the current mouse position and apply to the contour.

Profile depth and volume

In a 3D measurement, the cell depth and the volume are determined automatically. With 2D measurement, it is also possible to calculate a theoretical volume by specifying the stylus angle.

Profile sections

The determined 3D model enables the creation of profile sections as desired. This makes it possible, for example, to determine the gravure angle.

Series measurements

Highly efficient series measurement makes it possible to combine a large number of measurements in a single measurement report. When using the DotScope mini, there is often no need to interact with the computer during the measurements, as control is provided by the DotScope alone, enabling extremely fast operation. The scope of the series measurement is freely configurable. For example, one can define a series measurement 2x10 to measure two 10-step colour wedges. It is possible to save the series measurement and continue it later. The measured values are saved as a CSV file and can then be further processed in Excel, for example.

Measurement report

Adapted measurement protocols are available for gravure measurements. Furthermore, it is possible to combine several individual measurements in one report.

Data base

The DotScope database application provides a complete gravure cylinder management system that also records gravure-specific parameters. This allows a large number of cylinders or print jobs to be managed and, for example, cylinder wear to be monitored.