Montreal , October 18, 2007 —The Quebec Institute of Graphic Communications (ICGQ) announces that it has obtained a US patent for the development of an innovative tool that controls the performance of printing inks.
The Quebec Institute of Graphic Communications is proud to announce that it has obtained a US patent for a process to control ink performance using infrared spectrophotometry. This high-performance tool was developed in collaboration with a team of researchers and technicians at the ICGQ and the chemistry department at Collège Ahuntsic , with financial support from Quebecor World.
In 2003, the ICGQ developed a technology that could quickly and reliably control the uniformity of ink performance. In the printing industry, ink is the second most important component, after paper; since it is definitely the hardest element to control, there has been keen interest in this method. From the outset, Quebecor World realized the scope of this new technology and, in an ongoing effort to control and master its operating costs, enabled the development of this tool by becoming the project's principal sponsor. In 2004, Transcontinental became its second user.
The technique is based on medium infrared spectrophotometry. Before it is delivered to the printer and even before it is used on the press, a single drop of ink can be analyzed in just one minute to determine if the ink meets the printer's performance standards. This tool guarantees that ink consumption will remain constant from one print run to the next.
To date, five spectrophotometers have been sold and are already being used by leading North America ink manufacturers.
According to André Dion, the Institute's general director, if they are to survive, printers must increasingly control their costs in order to stay competitive in the global market. In this context, this new technology should have a major impact on quality-control methods for printing inks, primarily in North America and in Europe .
Lyne Boileau, director of studies at Collège Ahuntsic, explains that this novel technology could not have been developed without close cooperation between the Institute's researchers and technicians and the instructor-researchers at Collège Ahuntsic. Research is one of the College's priorities for serving the needs of industry.
Information:
André Dion, general director, Quebec Institute of Graphic Communications
Lyne Boileau, director of studies, Collège Ahuntsic
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Montréal, May 2005 - On May 3 rd , the Québec Institute of Graphic Communications (QIGC) announced the official launch of its latest acquisitions in the presence of Messrs Richard M. Armstrong , President of Heidelberg Canada, Cam Gentile , chairman of the QIGC, Rémi Marcoux , President and CEO of Transcontinental, and Roch Tremblay , Director General of Ahuntsic College, together with a host of prestigious guests. The new additions are a Heidelberg Speedmaster SM 74 5-color sheet-fed offset press with coater and in-line dryer, a generous gift from Heidelberg Canada worth $2.7 million, and a fiber tester developed in collaboration with the CRIQ. This cutting edge device will allow for real-time in-line analysis and quantification of the lint discharged on our Heidelberg Harris M-110 web offset press.
During the event, Mr. Richard M. Armstrong, President of Heidelberg Canada, said:
"Heidelberg Canada is very pleased to support the Graphic Institute of Quebec. Technology in our industry is rapidly changing and it is imperative that training keeps pace with this change. Heidelberg believes strongly in supporting training programs in Canada and has installed equipment in many Colleges and at Ryerson University in Toronto. Highly skilled operators in our industry are in demand and this installation will help Quebec Printers train the very best ! "
"In order to offer an adequate support to the industry, the Institute must continuously renew its machines and laboratory equipment. Over the last months, investments in excess of 3 MM have been made to this end. Private-public partnerships often make the headlines nowadays. And we have an excellent example; with $300,000 government money we have been able to acquire equipment worth $2.7 MM. The private enterprise support, notably Heidelberg, is vital to our advancement," declared Mr. Gentile, Chairman of the QIGC.
The Québec Institute of Graphic Communications (QIGC) is a non-profit organization based in Montréal, dedicated to the graphic arts industry. It offers training, practical consultations in the field and applied research and development focusing on printing and related industry sectors.
For further information:
André Dion, General Director, Québec Institute of Graphic Communications999, Avenue Émile-Journault est, Montréal (QC) H2M 2 E 2
Tel.: 514 389 5061 Fax: 514 389 5840
dion@icgq.qc.ca
