ALWIN II for professional printing companies - Connex-gmbh.de

PAINT MIXING SYSTEMS GMBH
ALWIN II (PV)
THE EFFICIENT PRINTING INK MIXING SOFTWARE
FOR PROFESSIONAL PRINTING COMPANIES
SHOWING THE FOLLOWING FEATURES
EASY TO USE
MODULAR CONFIGURATION
COMPETITIVE SYSTEM PACKAGE
SALES PARTNER OF CONNEX

PAINT MIXING SYSTEMS GMBH
ALWIN II (PV) – THE EFFICIENT PRINTING INK MIXING SOFTWARE
FOR PROFESSIONAL PRINTING COMPANIES
ALWIN II (PV) is an efficient software program for WINDOWS-compatible computers
(minimum Pentium 1, main storage 128 MB RAM), operating system WINDOWS XP or later.
The modularly structured software is especially geared to the requirements of a professional
printing company and to mixing small quantities. ALWIN II (PV) has the mixing formulae of at
least one printing ink producer at its disposal. ALWIN II (PV) is available in two performance
levels, such as Professional Package and Management Package.
Colour-metric primary formula calculation, colour-metric correction calculation as well as
colour-metric recycling of residual paint (see item 3) are available as upgrades for the
Management Package.
The scales interface is generally activated, as far as ALWIN II (PV) is delivered together with
an industrial CONNEX Paint Mixing Computer System (hardware in ex-2 version).
The paint mixing software ALWIN II (PV) is available in the following foreign languages
(second language will be displayed under Tooltips).
• Chinese*
• Danish*
• English*
• Finnish
• French*
• Italian
• Japanese
• Dutch
• Norwegian
• Polish
• Romanian
• Russian
• Swedish
• Spanish
• Czech
*) Colour-metric initial formula calculation and colour-metric corrective calculation currently only available in these foreign languages
The scope of features of the ALWIN II (PV) software is as follows:
1. Professional Package
1.1. User management
The password-protected user management
has three levels and ensures that only
authorised users can work with the respective
program (program functions).
• Turkish
• Hungarian

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ALWIN II (PV) – THE EFFICIENT PRINTING INK MIXING SOFTWARE FOR PROFESSIONAL PRINTING
COMPANIES
1.2.
Convenient mixing formula retrieval and mixing of tints
1.2.1. Convenient mixing formula retrieval
For the retrieval of the desired mixing formula
you can directly enter the selected (known)
search criterion (e.g. the tint number, the tint
name or the nuance) in the first line (marked
green). The program will react immediately and
attribute the retrieved data to the respective
search criteria in dialogue. After few steps, the
mixing formula for 1 kilogramme (standard
formula) from the database of the printing ink
producer is displayed.
After entering the search term, the corresponding
mixing formulae of the printing ink producer,
which are within the “closed database”, and the
customer formulae with the same name, which
are in the “open database”, are shown at the
same time, provided this option has been
activated in setup.
1.2.2. Entering variable quantities in gramme
You can now transcribe the default value (1,000
grammes) and enter the specified value in
gramme (xxx g) you want to mix. The program
will display the minimum value (dependent on
tolerance) as well as the maximum value
(depending on the load capacity). With some
printing ink producers, the function “quantity
suggestion” can be used for the calculation of the
quantity required for a job.

PAINT MIXING SYSTEMS GMBH
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ALWIN II (PV) – THE EFFICIENT PRINTING INK MIXING SOFTWARE FOR PROFESSIONAL PRINTING
COMPANIES
1.2.3. Weighing operation
In weighing operation, component by component
is displayed as a negative specified value with
the respective specified value always being
weighed out towards zero. In parallel with that,
the corresponding tolerance values are
displayed.
The dynamical weighing process is graphed by
means of a multi-coloured weighing scale in
order to support the weighing process.
Blue means you have to continue (the weighing
operation is not completed yet).
As soon as the weighing scale turns green, you
are within the tolerance range and can continue
to weigh out the next component.
If the weighing scale turns red, you are outside
the tolerance range, in the positive range (a
correction might be necessary).
If the tolerance value is exceeded, the integrated
calculation program is activated and ensures that
the original mixing ratio is kept constant by
proportionally converting the actual value. Thus
the aim of mixing the exact tint / nuance remains
in the centre of attention at all times.

PAINT MIXING SYSTEMS GMBH
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ALWIN II (PV) – THE EFFICIENT PRINTING INK MIXING SOFTWARE FOR PROFESSIONAL PRINTING
COMPANIES
The sensitivity of the weighing scale can be
increased via the respective function key (F3) at
any time (zoom effect). The remaining quantity is
indicated optically, by means of a larger weighing
scale.
In addition to that you can optionally weigh in the
last two grams to the set point in higher
precision, i.e. in 0.05-g-steps (0.05 g correspond
to approximately two drops of printing ink).
There is a default setting in the ALWIN II setup
for that purpose.
After the setup is completed, the function key “F4
0.05 step” flashes on the screen, as soon as you
are two grams off the set point during the
respective weighing process. By pressing the
function key “F4” on the keyboard, the second
position after the decimal point (in 0.05-g-steps)
is activated.
The nonrecurring activation will then apply for all
components within the mixing formula.
1.2.4. Closed weighing operation
Besides the weighing operation described above,
the program has the function “independent
weighing”. With this function the usual weighing
processes can be executed, while the abovementioned
convenient features are available as
well.

PAINT MIXING SYSTEMS GMBH
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ALWIN II (PV) – THE EFFICIENT PRINTING INK MIXING SOFTWARE FOR PROFESSIONAL PRINTING
COMPANIES
1.3. Saving of user mixing formulae
Under this software option you can save selfcreated,
individual printing ink formulae (shades)
under a second formula data base. You have the
possibility to either manually create a formula on
your own, based on the (colouristic) experience
on hand, or to copy an already existing formula
and to modify it according to your requirements
(see also item 3, colour metric module, in
combination with the management package).
Formulae that have been calculated with the aid
of a colour metric system can also be saved
(import function; see item 2.6, import of data).
Formulae calculated with the CONNEX colour
metric system are also saved here (see item 3,
colour metric module, in combination with the
management package).
1.4. Various print options
Within the scope of the Professional Package,
ALWIN II (PV) offers various print options
ranging from label printing (two formats) to
mixing protocol.

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ALWIN II (PV) – THE EFFICIENT PRINTING INK MIXING SOFTWARE FOR PROFESSIONAL PRINTING
COMPANIES
2. Management Package
2.1. Customer management
With the integrated customer management, the
corresponding customer master data, which
are kept available within the database, can be
logged. The customer data can also be used
for job management.
2.2. Job management
Order-related data are pooled and made
available within job management.
2.3. Quality management
All relevant, colour-metric measuring data (in
conjunction with the colour-metrics modules)
are recorded and partly represented (link with
2.2. job management).
2.4. Three-stage price calculation per
mixing process
The software provides the possibility to
calculate three different prices per mixing
process (e.g. purchase cost, sales price 1, and
sales price 2).
Available as of: 3 rd quarter 2012
Available as of: 3 rd quarter 2012

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ALWIN II (PV) – THE EFFICIENT PRINTING INK MIXING SOFTWARE FOR PROFESSIONAL PRINTING
COMPANIES
2.5. Inventory management including
ordering system
Inventory management includes all printing
inks and additives.
Allocation is made either manually or by means
of data import. Withdrawal is effected by the
respective weighing process or manually.
Ordering system available on request.
Based on the average consumption and the
normal supply (packing unit), a purchase order
proposal is triggered, if the minimum inventory
(marked red) is fallen short of.
2.6. Residual paint management
The program has a “mathematical residual
paint management”.
That way residual paints can be incorporated
into “suitable tints”.

PAINT MIXING SYSTEMS GMBH
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ALWIN II (PV) – THE EFFICIENT PRINTING INK MIXING SOFTWARE FOR PROFESSIONAL PRINTING
COMPANIES
2.7. Statistical evaluation of all mixing
processes
The colour-coded list gives an overview of
WHAT has been mixed WHEN and HOW. If
user management is activated (c.f. 1.1.), the
information WHO did the mixing is additionally
given.
The program provides the option to collect
informative, statistical data by means of the
respective filters.
2.8. Data import
Data can be imported via an “open interface” of
the program.
These data can be mixing formulae from
coulour metrics (e.g. from external colour
metrics) or goods receipt data, for example.

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ALWIN II (PV) – THE EFFICIENT PRINTING INK MIXING SOFTWARE FOR PROFESSIONAL PRINTING
COMPANIES
2.9. Data export
Data can be exported via an “open interface”
(amongst other things WHO has mixed WHAT
and WHEN?), e.g. for the purpose of
processing within a damage calculation
software and/or a merchandise planning and
control system.
2.10. Extended print options
Analogous to the single program modules,
different print options are available.

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ALWIN II (PV) – THE EFFICIENT PRINTING INK MIXING SOFTWARE FOR PROFESSIONAL PRINTING
COMPANIES
3. Colour-metric module
3.1. Colour-metric primary formula calculation
With the aid of the colour-metric primary formula
calculation a master (colour sample) can be
created and saved as the customer formula.
After the calibration of the measuring instrument,
the measurement of the surface as well as of the
master, the sample will be visualised.
After the colour-metric primary formula
calculation, the colour of the calculated primary
formula, as well as the colour differences, the
formula components, and their parts will be
displayed in addition.
The user can optimise the formula by adding or
removing individual components, or by changing
the number of formula components.
A graphic display of the sample for the primary
formula can be shown.

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ALWIN II (PV) – THE EFFICIENT PRINTING INK MIXING SOFTWARE FOR PROFESSIONAL PRINTING
COMPANIES
3.2. Colour-metric correction calculation
In another work step, the formula can be called
up and optimised again via corrective
calculation, after the formula has been mixed
and after a proof.
A standard formula provided by the printing ink
manufacturer or an available customer mixing
formula can be corrected in the same way.
Following the measurement of the surface as
well as of the sample and the reproduction, the
sample and the reproduction will be visualised.
After the colour-metric correction calculation the
colour of the correction is additionally displayed,
and the colour differences and the new formula
are shown.
A graphical representation of the sample for
reproduction or correction – change by clicking
on the respective tables of colours – can be
displayed.
3.3. Colour-metric recycling of residual paints
With the colour-metric recycling of residual
paints, the residual paints will be included in the
calculation of the formula.
Available as of: 3 rd quarter 2012
ALWIN II (PV) will be updated according to the printing ink producer’s wishes in the course of
the continuous mixing formula service. A program update, however, will take place at least
once a year.
Please refer to the operating instructions for a full description.
An der Flachsroesse 1 a • 64367 Muehltal (GERMANY) • Phone +49 (6151) 1306133 • Fax +49 (6151) 1306107 • Email info@connex-gmbh.de • www.connex-gmbh.de