Harland Simon has recently introduced an add-on option to its industry-leading PRIMA control console. The PRIMA camera system allows press operators to view key parts of the press such as the folder and reelstands via a simple network of cameras linked to a second screen on the console. Whilst this concept is not new, the technology employed by Harland Simon is very sophisticated in order to provide good quality, real-time images.

The real benefit, however, is that the system links directly to the control console and is therefore able to change its display according to what the press is doing. For example, if a reelstand is about to enter a paste cycle, the system can enlarge the image for that reelstand to give the operator a clearer view.

The system has also been designed to help the maintenance manager get to the root cause of any problems as quickly as possible. The last five minutes of images from the cameras are continually recorded to a hard disk. Then, when the press has an unscheduled stop, the last five minutes worth of images are permanently logged and time-stamped for review later.

Although only made available to the industry this year, Harland Simon has already sold two such systems and the enquiry list is getting longer. Graeme Clifford, Works Manager and Director at Shropshire Newspapers said of the system, ‘We considered other solutions and even contemplated an in-house development for our monitoring requirements, but by interfacing with the control system Harland Simon is able to provide a real advantage over anything else that was available. I think the recording functionality will prove its worth many times over’.

The PRIMA Camera System is available now on both new and existing press installations