Overview
Smart Print Controller (SPC) is the operator-facing control layer of the SmartDFE system.
It provides both:
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A user interface for manual press operation
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A programmatic control interface (via OPC UA) for integration with external systems
Where SPC sits in the system
Core responsibilities
SPC is responsible for:
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Job submission
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Accepts and forwards jobs to one or more RIP Server instances
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Job control
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Start, stop, pause, and manage job execution
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System coordination
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Manages interaction between operator actions and RIP processing
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Configuration management
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Applies configuration files that control RIP, screening, and print behaviour
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State exposure
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Provides system and job status to external systems via OPC UA
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Interaction with RIP Server and Harlequin Direct
SPC does not perform rendering or print processing itself.
Instead, it:
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Sends jobs to RIP Server instances
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Controls execution of:
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RIP stage
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Screening stage
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Print stage (via Harlequin Direct)
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SPC acts as the orchestrator, while the RIP Server and Harlequin Direct perform the actual data processing and output.
Configuration model
SPC uses a set of configuration files to control:
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RIP behaviour
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Screening parameters
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Print pipeline settings
These configurations:
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Are typically defined or supplied by the OEM
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May be selected or modified at runtime via SPC
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Directly influence how jobs are processed and output
OPC UA interface (integration point)
SPC exposes an OPC UA server, which is the primary interface for:
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Integration with MIS / ERP systems
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Automation systems and production lines
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Remote control and monitoring
Through OPC UA, external systems can:
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Submit and manage jobs
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Query system and job state
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Control press operation programmatically