DuraBolt R2.2.1 July 16, 2024

We are pleased to announce the release of DuraBolt 2.2.1. This release includes the introduction of the PDF Optimizer, Ink use and printhead consumption reporting, a more efficient version of the Spot Color Adjust workflow action, and additional color management options to offer more control over rendering intents, overriding embedded color management and the ability to overprint ICC-Based CMYK. 

  • Navigator Server 9.1.6.8
  • XiEvents 1.2.3.2
  • XiService 1.3.1.6
  • Sentinel Protection Installer 7.7.1
  • HASP Driver Installer 7.103.30910.1
  • LDK Tool 2.0.0.0
  • LDK Util 2.0.0.0
  • Navigator HHR 13.2 Revision 6 (Product Version)
  • Navigator HHR 13.2.6.14 (File Version)
  • DuraBolt Spooler v1.0.2.6
  • XiSettings 1.0
  • GetDuraBoltVersions 1.2
  • DFE Web Client 2.6.2
  • Postflight 52
  • DFEBackRest 12
  • NCE: Version 10
  • DCE: 5.0
  • Ink Usage Calculator Version 1.0

Please note:

  • This release requires a scaleable RIP license with concurrency of at least 4 for each PC. 
  • This release supports the following press KPes API versions: KPes_xx-25

Changes:

  • Improved cancelling.
  • Preliminary support for DuraCore.
  • Updated head alignment scripts from Memjet. No longer included in zip. Instructions are in Navigator\Workspace.
  • DFE: Job scaling sizes are now correctly displayed when rotating with equal horizontal and vertical scaling percentages.
  • DFE: Make Default on the Job Editor is now properly set when specifying scaling in units.
  • DFE: Add Reverse page range in the Job Editor.
  • Improve how pages printed is tracked across multiple cancels/resumes.
  • Add the ability to control interstage gap for duplex presses.
  • UTF-8 fix in XiService for filename submission to RIP Farm.
  • PDF Optimizer Action, first release.
  • Spot Color Adjustment Action, first release.
  • In XiPosition, allow rotated pages if the dimensions match once rotated by the RIP.
  • First release of the Ink Usage Calculator for DuraBolt.
  • Preview version of the printhead usage web page.


Interstage Gap details:

There are two controls, the distance between stages in feet and an amount to reduce the delay.

- Add these to the [Duraflex] section of the xiflowserver.ini file:
    - InterstageDistanceFt=X (where X is a whole number in feet.)
    - InterstageDistanceFt=Y (where Y is a number of seconds to reduce the delay, in the event the stage 2 unit is not ready soo enough.)


PDF Optimizer Workflow Action

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This Workflow Action will restructure the way that information is stored in a PDF to be more efficient when processing through the RIP. This new Workflow Action is based on the Mako PDF SDK from Global Graphics. Here is what they have to say about their optimization function:


Mako’s DOM architecture automatically gives it an edge when it comes to optimizing content. When writing to PDF for example, Mako will eliminate duplicate fonts and merge font subsets, reducing file size and improving efficiency of downstream processing. Additionally, image compression and downsampling, color conversion, font embedding and more can all be controlled with simple parameters to the PDF output API. Developers can go further still to build optimization suited to specific workflows, such as streamlining for variable data applications.

 


Ink Use and Printhead Consumption Reporting Option

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Consumable tracking is important for many aspects of business. Accurate records of ink usage can be useful for knowing how much to charge for a specific job to knowing how much ink, printheads and cleaning cartridges to keep on hand to keep production running. With the Ink Use and Printhead Consumption Reporting option, you will be able to access your consumption reporting directly from the browser, downloading a CSV file of filtered data, or connect Excel directly to the consumables database. Links to both consumable reports can be easily accessed from within the DFE under the gear icon.


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Different companies will have different needs for reporting. We have made configuration quick and easy so that you can access the data you need while filtering out what you don’t. With the ability to enter the cost per ink container, you can quickly get information on how much ink was used for an entire job, as well as the cost to run the job. This can allow for more accurate estimates as well as accurate accounting for jobs that have been produced.


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Printhead Usage and Life reporting can assist in tracking the remaining life of the printhead. This will allow for better planning for the volume or type of work you are expecting to run.


For those wanting to import the data that is available into Excel, or create their own queries for specific information, the data is stored in an SQLite 3 database that can be shared on a network. From scripts to direct connections to the database, you can integrate the use of this data within your MIS.


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New Spot Color Adjust Workflow Action

Leveraging the Mako SDK, we have produced a new version of the Ink Remapping Workflow Action that utilizes the existing, familiar interface. The new Workflow Action improves performance when importing large jobs that may contain spot colors. This change was made with productivity in mind based on customer feedback regarding the types of jobs they are running.

 

 


Additional Color Management options

We are continuing to add more finite color management options based on customer needs. In this release, we have introduced some additional options.

  • Override color management in job
  • Overprint ICC-based CMYK
  • Set Default Rendering Intent
  • Override CMYK Rendering Intent
  • Override RGB Rendering Intent


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Interstage Gap Setting

This is specifically for duplex printing. After seeing a number of different DuraFlex duplex presses, we added a configurable option to define the distance between the first stage/side of printing and the second stage/side. This allows for better timing in making sure that the printheads arrive in the print position as efficiently as possible.


There are two controls, the distance between stages in feet and an amount to reduce the delay.

Add these to the [Duraflex] section of the xiflowserver.ini file:

InterstageDistanceFt=X (where X is a whole number in feet.)

InterstageDistanceFt=Y (where Y is a number of seconds to reduce the delay, in the event the stage 2 unit is not ready soon enough.)



DuraBolt R2.2 30th November 2023

  • Navigator Server 9.1.5.5
  • XiEvents 1.2.3.2
  • XiService 1.3.0.14
  • Sentinel Protection Installer 7.7.1
  • HASP Driver Installer 7.103.30910.1
  • LDK Tool 2.0.0.0
  • LDK Util 2.0.0.0
  • Navigator HHR 13.2 Revision 6 (Product Version)
  • Navigator HHR 13.2.6.7 (File Version)
  • DuraBolt Spooler v1.0.1.8
  • XiSettings 1.0
  • GetDuraBoltVersions 1.2
  • DFE Web Client 2.5
  • MacOS Navigator Client 9.0.1.19
  • Postflight 52
  • DFEBackRest 12
  • NCE: Version 8.1
  • DCE Color: Version 3.6
  • DCE Calibration: Version 3.6

This release requires a scaleable RIP license with concurrency of at least 4 for each PC.

This release supports the following press KPes API versions:

  • KPes_xx-25

Installation notes:

  • Please copy the applicable JSLConfig file for the press configuration, provided in %APPDATA%\Xitron\DuraBoltSpooler over JslConfigs.xml. 
  1. These files are provided for that purpose: JslConfigs - Bar.xml, JslConfigs - Tandem.xml.

Changes in Components.json:

  • Revised handling of tandem dryer status register, now requires TandemDryer component HasStatus = true
  • Revised temperature scaler to handle storing temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Revised humidity scaler to store humidity as percentage x 10.

Changes in Navigator Server:

  • Modbus changes to handle slow responses from hardware.
  • Corrected an issue which resulted in chained jobs being cancelled when the resolution was changed [23].
  • Corrected a possible DuraBolt Spooler crash when submitting jobs [11].
  • Corrected an issue setting head heights: ISD settings for all colors were shown as zero after setting cyan to 0 [13].
  • Corrected Navigator Server crash when Advanced configuration window is open and stop thread button is pressed [16, 17].
  • Corrected issue with Navigator Server crash relating to Assign Heads to PCs, Hydration Control, Pen to Paper spacing – the Navigator Server exits [18].
  • Corrected an issue after restart of PC and Navigator Server, the job start could not commence [21].
  • Corrected an issue where the TOF media offset values were reset to 10.0 for any new values set [22].
  • Corrected an issue in the print unit selector, each head is shown with a fixed head number [25].

Changes in RIP:

  • Improvements to support to minimize timing out waiting for a NamedPipe instance.
  • Logging improvements, screening messages moved to level 3.
  • Change default for ‘rotate logs per session’ to off. Should now only rotate per day.
  • Default number of logs to keep set to 20.
  • Add MaxBandMemory 32.0 MB to HqnOEM for improved performance.


DuraBolt R2.1 4th September 2023

  • Navigator Server 9.1.5.0
  • XiEvents 1.2.2.7
  • XiService 1.3.0.14
  • Sentinel Protection Installer 7.7.1
  • HASP Driver Installer 7.103.30910.1
  • LDK Tool 2.0.0.0
  • LDK Util 2.0.0.0
  • Navigator HHR 13.2 Revision 6 (Product Version)
  • Navigator HHR 13.2.6.2 (File Version)
  • DuraBolt Spooler v1.0.1.8
  • XiSettings 1.0
  • GetDuraBoltVersions 1.2
  • DFE Web Client 2.5
  • MacOS Navigator Client 9.0.1.19
  • Postflight 52
  • DFEBackRest 12
  • NCE: Version 8.1
  • DCE Color: Version 3.6
  • DCE Calibration: Version 3.6

This release supports the following press KPes API versions:

  • KPes_xx-25

Installation notes:

  • Please copy the applicable JSLConfig file for the press configuration, provided in %APPDATA%\Xitron\DuraBoltSpooler over JslConfigs.xml. 
  1. These files are provided for that purpose: JslConfigs - Bar.xml, JslConfigs - Tandem.xml.

Changes:

  • Updated dongle driver installer to Sentinel Protection Installer 7.7.1.
  • Added support for X-Rite i1Pro2/3 for calibration via NCE/DCE, with 18-patch targets.
  • Added DeleteLogs utility for deleting log files on Master and RIP PCs, for instance after running LogJam.
  • JslConfigs - 5k Bar.xml has been replaced by JslConfigs - Bar.xml; note that the older file will not be removed by the installer.
  • DuraBoltSpooler.ini, XiCrashReport.ini, JslConfigs.xml, ThriftPorts.json will now be installed ‘never overwrite’ to simplify the upgrade procedure.
  • For new installations, the default ABT output path setting in DuraBoltSpooler.ini has been changed to OutputFilePath=C:\ProgramData\Xitron\XiShare\DuraBoltOutput, i.e. adding ‘Output’ to the folder name. This only applies if Fake press XML files are in use.
  • Archived XFDebug logs will now be zipped.
  • Improvements to splice detection.
  • Added handling for Accurate Rendering in RIP; this may be enabled in NCE.
  • Note: Tone curve and ink reduction may not work correctly on single-colorant devices.
  • DCE: support ‘&’ character in feature names.
  • NCE: support ‘&’ character in feature names. Correction to import of CGATs tone curves. Added Accurate Rendering setting. HVD no longer uses customPS in RenderConfigs.json. Force use of Gray calibration if a single colorant is present.
  • The installer now includes a Navigator Server .ini file which will be installed if none is already present. It contains settings for a simplex press.
  • Updated Components.json as starting point for use with Simplex Bar and Simplex Tandem presses, with improved aerosol settings, temperature and humidity scalers, component IP addresses.
  • The aerosol maximum setting will now be read from Components.json.
  • The DuraBolt dashboard ‘reconnect’ button will now always be enabled.
  • Corrected a Server crash caused by having a device enabled in Components.json without a valid IP address having been specified for it.
  • Corrections to Tandem and Bar press behavior.
  • Correction to Tandem print unit control.
  • Correction to x and y tolerance handling.
  • Correction to splice detection initialization.
  • Do not read device status when inappropriate to do so.
  • Handle Modbus packets with invalid transaction ID.
  • Dashboard, improvement to aerosol value scaling.
  • Dashboard, handle negative temperature and humidity values.
  • Dashboard, improvement to register control when enabling a component.
  • Don’t reset transaction ID when disconnecting / reconnecting components.
  • Additional log messages for errors when resuming a job.
  • Dashboard, remove unused aerosol pump voltage.
  • Dashboard, do not lock component when reading ink, temperature, humidity values.
  • System Device Advanced Dialog, correct persistence of some items; hide items requiring engine if System Device is not running.
  • Added Server [DuraBolt] “PauseOnMediaChange” ini setting to not pause between jobs if media size changes.
  • Improvements to job cancelling behavior.
  • Add Print Market Options support.

DFE Web Client New Functionality:

  • Added support for Media Thickness in the Job Editor dialog when displaying the currently selected Media and applying a new Media selection.
  • DuraBolt Device Settings tab now includes support for head names.
  • Job Editor Dialog now allows scaling to be specified in absolute units of inches or millimeters.
  • Print Market Options feature allows customizing the Job Editor Dialog for different print market applications.
  • Job Editor Dialog new “Make Default” checkbox that updates the base workflow to the current settings when the job is submitted.
  • Job Editor Dialog layout has been reorganized to accommodate new functionality in a more logical format.
  • If no DefaultDeviceIndex is specified in CustomInterface.json, the last selected Device will become the default.
  • Resume Job Dialog now supports translation of page ranges to the original page numbers.
  • Beta Feature: New Cancel Job toolbar button on the Jobs Table.
  • Added support on the Job Editor Dialog for Multi-Stage Positioning which is new in XiPosition: Horizontal and Vertical Offsets, Anchor Point, and Rotation is configurable per stage when Duplex is turned on in XiPosition

DFE Web Client Bug Fixes:

  • Job Editor Dialog Page Size label now reflects scaling setting.
  • Job Editor Dialog Preview now renders correctly when offsets and scaling are applied.
  • Job Editor Dialog Preview now renders scaling over 100% correctly.
  • DFE can now be sorted by the Last Printed column.
  • Pressing Cancel on the Resume Job Dialog with the Keypad open no longer resumes the job.
  • Move Job to Top toolbar button is disabled when not displaying Job Queue tab.
  • Submitting a job now preserves the job’s XiPosition Duplex setting
  • Scaling on the Job Editor dialog now works correctly when no XiPosition step exists
  • DFE now avoids attempting to use a previously used System Device on startup that no longer exists

DFE Web Client Known Issues:

  • Job Locking not implemented.

DuraBolt Spooler changes:

  • Fix: Handle a stage of a Duplex system actually reporting as a Duplex when we expect it to be a Simplex.
  • Fix: Main display correctly shows colors for Front or Rear.
  • UI: Add ability to get/set the JSL logging level from the config dialog.
  • UI: Removed FakeDuraBolt_ from file name when displaying on the dialog.


DuraBolt R2.0 9th March 2023

  • Navigator Server 9.0.1.39
  • XiEvents 1.2.2.6
  • XiService 1.3.0.11
  • Sentinel Driver Installer 7.5.7, 9.50.98.0
  • HASP Driver Installer 7.103.30910.1
  • LDK Tool 2.0.0.0
  • LDK Util 2.0.0.0
  • Navigator HHR 13.1 Revision 0 (Product Version)
  • Navigator HHR 13.1.3.8 (File Version)
  • DuraBolt Spooler v1.0.1.1
  • XiSettings 1.0
  • GetDuraBoltVersions 1.2
  • DFE Web Client 2.3.1
  • MacOS Navigator Client 9.0.1.19
  • Postflight 52
  • DFEBackRest 12
  • NCE: Version 3.7
  • DCE Color: Version 3.2
  • DCE Calibration: Version 3.2

This release supports the following press KPes API versions:

  • KPes_xx-24
  • KPes_xx-25

Installation notes:

  • If this is a new installation, please copy the applicable JSLConfig file for the press configuration, provided in %APPDATA%\Xitron\DuraBoltSpooler over JslConfigs.xml. 
  1. These files are provided for that purpose: JslConfigs - 5K Bar.xml, JslConfigs - Tandem.xml. JslConfigs.xml is the same as the Tandem file.
  • The RIP-only installer is for testing only.

Changes:

  • Added support for Bar Monochrome variant.
  • Bar devices (only) support 790dpi resolution.
  • Added alternative JSLConfigs files for different press configurations: 5K Bar, Tandem. These will be installed into %APPDATA%\Xitron\DuraBoltSpooler.
  • Updated the set of fake press configuration files provided in %APPDATA%\Xitron\DuraBoltSpooler\Fake.
  • Added active check for compatibility with PES API, using ‘isApiCompatible’.
  • Disallow disabling web tension during print run.
  • DuraBolt Spooler modified to recover from network outage.
  • Corrected issue with buttons on DuraBolt Dashboard Advanced dialog remaining greyed out if the corresponding component is disabled and then becomes enabled.
  • Added controls for viewing and setting ink IDS serial numbers, in the System Device Advanced dialog.
  • Added “Initialize new print unit” controls for initializing a new print head, in the System Device Advanced dialog. 
  1. The “Initialize” function is intended to be used as part of the bring-up process for an out of box system using a substitute printhead (but may also be called on real printheads).
  2. WARNING: The “Initialize” operation bypasses the normal check a physical printhead is installed. Executing this when there is no printhead installed will result in system flooding.
  3. After applying the “Initialize” operation, the target printheads will contain ink, but are not yet primed or deprimed, so the “Drain Heads” operation on the Spooler dialog should be used before the heads are removed.
  • Disallow starting a print run when ink is exhausted.
  • Make DuraBolt dashboard visible after Navigator Server startup.
  • Added limits checks on settings in Advanced Components dialog.
  • Added support for a second Aerosol component register to set extractor pump voltage.
  • Improved hydration graphic on the Hydration dialog (which is accessed via the System Device Advanced dialog).
  • Added four DuraBolt ICC profiles supplied by Memjet, in RIP Manager Config/RenderConfig/ICC Profiles folder.
  • Improvements to DuraBolt head alignment procedure, supplied by Memjet.
  • Components.json, in RIP Manager Config folder, Under MediaPath, ParameterArray Min and Max units have been changed from Feet/Minute to um/Second.
  • Implemented temperature and humidity controls.
  • DFEBackRest preserves htdocs\Thumbnails and Navigator\Config\Media Sizes\Media.lst.

DFE New Functionality:

  • Copy Count Multiplier is now used to show quantity when outputting and in the Jobs Table and in the Job Editor dialog.
  • Resume Job is always available.
  • Resume Job displays a dialog for choosing the page at which to resume.
  • Job Editor Dialog has new Print Options feature: Page Filter for selecting All, Odd, or Even pages to output.
  • DuraBolt Settings Dialog changes Mid Job Service controls to Enable and Max Page Interval only - Removing Max Length Interval.
  • DuraBolt Settings Dialog now has eighteen lines of Printer Status Fields.
  • Ink Tank display now supports dual ink tanks.
  • DuraBolt Settings Dialog enables the TOF setting for the second stage if the TOF settings array has more than one stage.
  • DuraBolt Settings Dialog now allows setting the TOF Media Mode for Stage 1 and Stage 2 independently.
  • Ink tanks are now hidden when ink is reported as unavailable.

DFE Bug Fixes:

  • Print Date jobs table column now returns the last print date and time.
  • Pressing Queue or Print on the Job Editor Dialog while in on-screen keyboard mode no longer fails and pops up the on-screen keypad.
  • Queue and Print buttons are no longer active when they should not be.
  • When the DuraBolt engine is in a fault state, print head movement, wiper servicing, deprime, and power servicing buttons are now enabled and usable.
  • The Job Editor Dialog’s Horizontal and Vertical Scaling text boxes now support the on-screen keypad.
  • XiPosition’s Resize Media and Reposition features now work even if those features are disabled in the workflow step.

Changes in Navigator Mac Client v9.0.1.19:

  • Added support for loading the Job Archive web app in a window from the Open Archive Jobs Menu.
  • Added Page Filter feature ‘Pages’ to Output Options for selecting All, Odd, or Even pages to output.
  • Added Duplex checkbox to XiPosition settings.

This release includes the following DuraBolt-specific ICC profiles.

  • ID860_640_Durabolt_MMKK_CCYY_300.icc
  • ID860_1280_Durabolt_MMKK_CCYY_170.icc
  • ID1033_640_Durabolt_MMKK_CCYY_300.icc
  • ID1033_1280_Durabolt_MMKK_CCYY_140.icc
  • The ID1033 profiles are ProInkjet Digital (lightly treated).
  • The ID860 profiles are Mitsubishi DL 9084 (coated).