Printing technology – User interfaces for MAN-Roland

Purpose  

In 1996, the international MAN Roland Company decided to redesign the user interfaces for the entire range of its offset printing machines. One of the unique challenges in this project was mastering the complexities involved in the development of the new user interfaces. The reasons for this can be found in the contributing factors listed below:

• Modern printing equipment must produce the highest quality products at tremendous speeds. This leads to the strong encapsulation of the machines and a need for a high functionality user interface.

• Printing machines are constructed as a component system, which enables adjustments and optimal configuration to satisfy customer requirements.

• A very heterogeneous customer structure because of a global sales market.

Implementation  

The user requirements were determined by ZMMI in coordination with the client in a global analysis of the three major sales markets Europe, North America, and Asia. The survey methodology consisted of a combination of questionnaires, interviews, accompanied observation, and structure building techniques. Using a recently developed systems technology concept that emphasizes a structured approach and continuous user integration, this data obtained was used as the basis for development of the user interface.

The new control station masks retain proven elements of the old control stations and combine them with new options made possible by Windows technology. This included modification of the Windows system for the specific requirements of machine operations. Touch screens were chosen as the interaction medium of the use concept for the rotary offset machines.

To further this purpose, ZMMI prepared a cross-divisional style guide that documented the structural and graphic design of the user interface. The design of the individual screen masks complied with this style guide. The implementation of the user interface was achieved over a multi-year project based on cooperation and coaching. Here, ZMMI provided continuous “on-call” assistance to the employees of MAN Roland.

Result

The joint effort between MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG and the Center for Human Machine Interaction serves as an outstanding example of how such an exchange between industry and academia enables the commercial conversion of scientific discoveries and fosters innovative product implementation. The newly designed user interface satisfies the most demanding ergonomic and quality requirements, and takes into account the client and user requirements to an exceptional degree. This certainly provides a powerful argument for printers and potential buyers.