Current and Future Electronic/Computer Controls in Offset Lithographic Newspaper Production

The revolutionary developments in electronic, optical and microcomputer technology have had and will continue to have a very large impact on newspaper production. This paper describes developments in press automation, electronic/computerized controls and production information systems over the last ten years at Rockwell Graphic Systems and applications to Goss newspaper productions systems. A projection of next-generation features and control/automation subsystems is made with the next-generation system is presented. A look into the future is attempted and the author's view of opportunities for application of adaptive controls, learning systems, expert systems, robotics and artificial intelligence is presented.