Launched during the early days of CTP technology, Centurfax's handheld dotmeter the CCDot was one of the industry's trailblazers and helped to create a new term in print.
"The introduction of the CCDot in 1997, along with a number of competitive products, led to the creation of the generic term ‘dotmeter'," says Paul Foster, managing director, at Ripware, the UK distributor for the product.
As the name implies, the device was designed for measuring dots on plates. Features included auto-calibration, which meant there was no need to find a good spot to calibrate against. The unit's ‘what-you-see-is-what-you-get' viewing system meant the operator could take a direct look at the target area, click, and then move on to the next sample.
Control strips could be read from press sheets and proofs could be compared with original film or plates.
The CCDot incorporated from press sheets an on-board graphic display so its operator could see real dot shapes and patterns on the device's built-in screen.
As well as reporting dot gain percentage, screen ruling and angle, the ‘microscope' function could diagnose problems resulting from misshapen dots or plate artefacts.
"Other features included a power-saving auto switch-off and screen saver and image grab facility", adds Foster.
Accurate results
Using the CCDot, images could be captured from any plate, regardless of exposure technology and irrespective of colour, contrast or graining, claims Ripware.
"Unlike any other digital device or system currently available, CCDot can be used on film, plate or paper and can give accurate results, even when there are rough surfaces or poor conditions," explains Foster.
The device was able to ‘snap a picture' of a film or plate and display the image on a workstation screen.
In addition, KeyMagic software on the unit allowed numeric values to be transferred into any RIP calibration set-up. Density reading was also available for measurement on either film or paper in later models.
A number of enhancements have been made to the CCDot since its launch, resulting in the CCDot4 in 2000 and then CCDot5 in 2002. The CCDot5 had double the resolution of previous models and was designed to act as a quality control device for FM stochastic screening, as well as adding the ability to measure ink density.
Centurfax sold the manufacturing rights of the CCDot range to X-Rite in 2003 for just under £1m ($1.5m). Manufacturing of the X-Rite models stopped in 2006 and, since then, X-Rite has been selling the iCPlate2 and the PlateScope.
In January this year, Centurfax and Ripware introduced the EasyDot, a next-generation handheld plate reader offering the same one-click operation as the CCDot. The number of sales for the CCDot in the UK reached 850 and there is still believed to be some 500 in use.
"When purchasing a used CCDot considerable care needs to be taken to ensure the accuracy of the instrument," says Foster.
Ripware will take used models back as part exchange for the EasyDot and it does supply spare parts, but these are in limited supply. The cost for an ‘annual health check' from the dealer for a dotmeter is £100, but this is only a cost effective option on the EasyDot.
Specifications
Optical range
35-400lpi
(depending on model)
Image store
4-32 image store
(depending on model)
Data store
32 tone curve;
32% dot values
Used Price
from £100
What to look for
Accuracy of measurement
