ICS debuted on its latest NexPress SE machines, which were launched at Print 09 last month. The technology allows users to gain up to 20% extra life from some of the operator replacable components (ORCs), without a reduction in image quality.

"When banding and stripes appear in the image, the normal step would be to replace the ORCs," said Kodak GCG product manager Andreas Nielen-Haberl. "ICS creates a snapshot of the press and linearises the result on paper, rather than in the machine."

He added that a conservative estimate was that the software, which can be fitted to any NexPress running with the latest front end software, could extend the life of ORCs, including the developer and imaging cylinder, by 10-20%.

It works by scanning a test sheet and compensating the laser diode output across the sheet to ensure an even, solid density.

Nielen-Haberl added that the NexPress uses extensive internal density measurements to ensure consistent colour reproduction and that ICS was the "icing on the cake" to improve tints, solids and component life.

The software needs to be run everytime a major OCR is changed and a couple of times per week to ensure output is stable, he added.