Postpress Automation — Backing into IT

A DMI on the stitcher, for example, provides production data that is used for scheduling, job costing and production reporting of makeready times, waste and run speeds. The unit captures a pulse from the stitcher so it can track how many pieces are produced, he reports.

"DMI devices have been around for years, but they haven't caught on widely in the printing industry," Doyle says. He would like to see the devices enhanced so they can operate as "smart boxes" to eliminate the need to rekey data.