Cip3 PPF to CPC 1.02 with no job card reader

Discussion in 'Layout, graphics, and prepress Software' started by mantman, Jul 10, 2020.

  1. mantman

    mantman Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 2015
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    Location:
    Greece
    This Heidelberg GTO is a DI machine with CPC 1.02
    First of all it lacks the job memory card reader, but is connected to an old 386 PC, with DOS software by Presstek (Pearl) that calculates ink zones/ductor, and burns plates, but we want to change the procedure of calculation to Cip3/ ppf format by Metadimension.

    My problem is how to connect cpc console to newer computer. If i manage to connect to newer PC perhaps i can make use of older software via DOSBOX or even better with ppf. Do i need a serial pci card with RS422 compatibility? -as mentioned in DI manual- and even so i cant find the cable anywhere

    With Prinect Prepress Interface i ve managed to copy a ppf to usb stick -in tar extension- but still dont know how to make the connection of PC with CPC console, or even use of ppf file with old PC with Pearl UI.
     
  2. Martin Mueller

    Martin Mueller Member

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    Sep 2019
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    Location:
    Essen/Germany
    Hi Mantman,

    I can recommend two components for your HD jobcard issue:

    1. The Russian software company Excourse offers the multi-press ink control software PressPerCent for a small amount of money ($ 250). It is only available as a macOS application. PressPerCent comes with export plugins for PPF, CIP3 & Heidelberg Jobcards and many other press formats.

    2. According to Excourse owner Grigori Sapunkov, you will need a PCMCIA card reader for "Linear Flash" like this device, which is similar to the drive in your CPC 1.02 console:
    https://www.csm.de/en/products/cards-and-drives/184-omnidrive-usb2-product-series
    It is MAC compatible.
     
  3. mantman

    mantman Senior Member

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    Location:
    Greece
    Thank you for your response Martin.
    I am aware of PressPerCent by Excourse, but i dont think it is needed since i can make PPF file, from Prinect Metadimension -with options of binary/ASCII-, so i think we can skip that.
    Now there is NO job card reader at all on the CPC 1.02 console, its been substitued by a computer with DOS software, that enables somehow the communication of console with PC -old 386-. It is the second batch of DI machines -i think-.
    Unless there is a PCMCIA card with PCI connector that somehow connects with the console.
     
  4. mahalingam

    mahalingam Member

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    Location:
    Sivakasi/TN/INDIA.
    Hi mantman,
    How did you connect your old 386 pc with your CPC console.
     

  5. mantman

    mantman Senior Member

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    Nov 2015
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    Location:
    Greece
    Press came like this with computer connected to console. I think its with RS-422 but cant find the cable.