KB285560784: Automation Engine - How to set up a semi-automated platemaking workflow for patches coming from PlatePatcher

Question

How to set up a semi-automated platemaking workflow for patches coming from PlatePatcher?

Prerequisites

• PlatePatcher 19.1.9 or higher
• Automation Engine 20.0 or higher

Answer

• Open your current PlatePlatePatcher workflow, you are using to create patches, which are loaded directly in the Merger Application (Digital Flexo Suite for Corrugated).
• Save this workflow under a new name, but in the output tab, enable the option "Export" and make sure LEN/LENX is selected as output format as shown in the screenshot below.

• In the field Patch Target Folder, define a folder, where the patches should be saved. Make sure this is a folder located on an Automation container.
• Create such a workflow for every plate type you want to use, each with their own output folder.
• In Automation Engine, create a Merge Queue per plate type you want to use.
• Create a workflow to Submit these LEN/LENX file to the Plate Merger.
• Select these created LEN/LENX files (patches) and submit these as usual to the Plate Merger.
• More info how to create a Merge Queue and create a workflow to submit LEN/LENX files to the Merge Queues can be found in the Automation Engine Manual (Chapter: Flexo CTP Flexo).