LithoTechnics Metrix

LithoTechnics is a technology company committed to helping streamline and automate print industry workflow. Like the many companies promoting the benefits of the Job Definition Format and open systems integration, they believe the evolution of print workflow automation requires new technology to bridge gaps between information systems and production systems. To these challenges the LithoTechnics team bring decades of print industry and information systems expertise.

Metrix™ is an automatic layout calculator for commercial printers.

It is used by estimators, customer service representatives, production planners, and prepress operators to instantly calculate optimum layouts, even for complex ganging. Metrix integrates with both front-end MIS systems and back-end production systems such as prepress workflows and finishing equipment.

Metrix is the award winning automatic layout calculator for estimators, CSR's, production planners, and prepress operators. Metrix promises commercial printers amazing bottom-line benefits as it facilitates commonly known but under-utilised cost saving strategies such as gang printing.

For printers who only print standard sized magazines and books etc, layouts are very standardized, and can even be memorized. Except for using the smallest sheet possible, there are few or no hidden efficiencies to be found in layouts for these types of jobs.

With custom sized work however, no history exists to fall back on, and even the most experienced planner cannot be sure they have found the most efficient layout every time. Every job can be unique, for example even if you've printed the same product size before, the job may have different bleeds. Gang just one extra product on the sheet and the added complexities of different product sizes and quantities is enough to make even the most skilled production planner's head spin. Furthermore, any attempt to consider individual product bleeds, to minimize wastage by butting together non-bleeding sides and/or gripping into non-image product areas, can result in spending a whole day on a trial-and-error exercise in frustration. Is it any wonder that the average commercial printer brushes off the opportunities offered by ganging because of the overwhelming complexities?

This is where Metrix comes in. Metrix is specifically designed to eliminate these complexities, enabling even the least skilled layout planner to confidently and consistently create even complex layouts. From one product to more than one hundred, different sizes, different quantities, mixtures of flat and folded work, each with different bleeds and grain direction requirements - Metrix calculates the layout at the click of a button.

Main Features

• automatically calculates even complex layouts for different sized flat and folded products
• reduces the number of press makereadies and plate consumption by instantly calculating complex ganging layouts
• the patent pending, industry specific algorithms consider all important factors such as product bleeds, grain direction, and required quantities, as well as press imageable area and postpress requirements
• the Production Edition exports layout data in CIP3, JDF, and Preps® template formats, for integration with prepress workflow and postpress equipment
• imports JDF product descriptions from supporting estimating and management information systems
• produces comprehensive production reports with project data
• available as a standalone application or for multiple users
• simple and intuitive to operate, with twenty levels of undo and redo
  

---

Announcing: Metrix v2010

Do you want to be more efficient in your production planning?

Metrix has helped many clients get better efficiencies from “ganging” items on print production runs. Saving make-ready time and plates.
It has now just got even better!

LithoTechnics, Inc., developer of Metrix®, the intelligent, automated job planning and imposition system, previewed its upcoming major release, Metrix 2010.0, at the Ipex exhibition in Birmingham, United Kingdom and released it in August.
Metrix 2010.0 includes many exciting new features, including:

• Auto Production - this amazing and unique Metrix feature automatically determines the optimum Printing Method, Press, & Sheet Size! This is a tremendous new asset that decisively distinguishes Metrix from desktop imposition software. Auto Production is in EVERY Metrix edition.
• User Permissions, Logins, & Passwords - this functionality, too, sets Metrix apart from desktop imposition software. With User Logins and Passwords your customers will be assured that their production-critical data is secure. They will also more easily grasp the difference between a database production planning system and a file-based desktop application.
• Click Dimensions - semi-automated insertion of dimensions. This new feature eliminates much of the tedium of inserting dimensions on layouts, and raises productivity.
• Duplicating File Marks - automatic duplication of marks across the width or height of the layout. Streamlines the file mark insertion process.
• Filtering/Sorting Mark Sets, Stocks, and Customers - another feature that will boost productivity and make Metrix ever friendlier to operate.
• Centralised Marks Folder, Enhanced Folding Marks
  
• Improved Ease of Use
  Metrix 2010.0 has a host of other new features designed to improve the user experience and enhance ease of use.
• ... and much more!

Auto Plan Automatically and dynamically determines how many layouts are required for the products in the project. Plans and simultaneously imposes across multiple press sheets and even multiple presses. Uses real costing data from the Metrix database. Applies standards where appropriate. Uses proprietary and sophisticated algorithms to consider dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of options to find the optimum project solution.

Increased Capacity extend the standard limit of 16 products for Auto Layout calculations and 100 products per project. Allows for projects of greater complexity - more products for Auto Layout and Auto Production calculations, and more products per project. Up to 2000 products allowed per project, regardless of the number of press sheets. Up to 160 products allowed for Auto Production and Auto Layout calculations.

N-Up Binding The N-Up module automates the set-up of products that print, fold, and bind 2- or 3-up on a press sheet. Customers who need this functionality normally own finishing equipment that can accommodate 2- or 3-up binding, such as a book saw or specialised knife-trimmer. This module provides instant visual feedback on how the project will fit on a press sheet with the new manufacturing configuration. The Metrix N-Up Binding module is incredibly easy to work with - even editing the options is easy. Metrix takes care of all the details like shingling/creep compensation automatically.

Barcodes Provides the barcode identification of products, book components, layouts, etc. Barcoded Imposed PDF - used to create an overlay sheet for gang/combo runs for quality assurance and to speed fulfilment and invoicing. Barcode Marks - used for automated finishing systems, and to speed fulfilment and invoicing.