Global Graphics has introduced in a major new release of its Harlequin Rip. Harlequin Host Renderer 13 adds new features for large-format output such as décor, textiles and corrugated packaging.
Version 13 adds automatic tiling to maximise the throughput of large PDF, TIFF and JPEG files, splitting them across multiple Rips for increased speed and improved load balancing.
Output is continuously streamed to the printer so that PSPs don’t have to wait for the entire page to be Ripped before printing can begin. This new feature minimises RAM requirements and costs for a digital front end (DFE) processing very large output.
“The new tiling feature is specifically for high-speed digital printing,” said Martin Bailey, Global Graphics Software’s CTO. “Speed continues to be a key focus of Harlequin development, because a faster Rip enables presses with very high data rates to be driven at engine speed and reduces the bill of materials for a digital front end (DFE) or controller.”
Harlequin 13 also introduces direct printing of PNG files, an important file type in some sectors of wide format and product decoration, in addition to PDF, PostScript, EPS, TIFF, JPEG etc. Colour management and halftone screening can be added for all input formats using a common API.
There are enhanced controls over sizing of output from image file formats such as TIFF, JPEG and PNG where the image does not specify a size.
There’s also extended Advanced Inkjet Screen (AIS) with the introduction of Opal - especially good at mitigating artifacts when inkjet printing on absorbent substrates at higher resolutions. AIS increase the perceived quality of inkjet prints
The Harlequin Host Renderer (HHR) is supplied as a component or pre-packaged with a parallel processing pipeline as Harlequin Direct to enable OEMs to achieve the fastest possible time to market while building a high quality DFE for a high-speed digital press.
Michael Deflorian, business developer at Durst Professional Services, said: "HHR - including screening capabilities - is one of the key technologies for our promise to get the best out of the printer as part of our "pixel-to-output strategy". We share the same vision of industry-leading quality and performance with Global Graphics. We work closely with the Global Graphics team to provide our customers with the best technology available.”
Roland DG’s VersaWorks 6 RIP software is used across all current models of its printers and printer/cutters. Motohiro Ikemura, R&D general manager, Roland DG Digital Printing Business Division, said: “We integrated the Harlequin engine into our Rip software in only six months thanks to the cooperation between Global Graphics and our engineering teams. Its performance is outstanding and, because it processes PDF and PostScript natively, it handles files with ease. Support for PDF 2.0 was also an important factor to future proof our workflow,”Motohiro said.
Harlequin Host Renderer is supported on 32- and 64-bit Microsoft Windows, 64-bit Linux and Mac OS.