About

WWWidgets founder is Steve Colthorpe

With more than 45 years in the electronics and imaging industry I feel I can tackle any industry problem!

Career Overview

  • Crosfield Electronics (1970s): Began my career as a service engineer specializing in color scanners. This laid the foundation for a deep understanding of cutting-edge imaging technology.
  • Centurfax (1980s): Founded a company to develop innovative modifications for scanners. After two decades of success, I sold the business in 1999, planning to retire—only to discover retirement wasn’t for me.
  • WWWidgets (2000 – Present): Launched WWWidgets to channel my passion for innovation, consulting, and developing unique solutions. Retirement quickly became a thing of the past.

Technical Innovations & Achievements

Centurfax Era:

  • HRSS: Designed a high-resolution system that doubled productivity for older Crosfield scanners, giving them a new lease on life.
  • TintMaster: Created a flat tint-laying system that combined high-resolution scanning with low-resolution video graphics for exceptional precision.
  • Centurlink: Pioneered the first commercially available system to connect color scanners with desktop computers and page layout software.
  • CCdot: Developed a handheld imaging device for reading dot percentages on film, revolutionizing quality control in the printing industry.

WWWidgets Contributions:

  • LithoCam: Worked with Troika Ltd to design LithoCam, expanding on CCdot’s concept with custom camera technology.
  • FlexoCam: Innovated a 3D imaging system for flexo plates using image stacking. Later adapted for Anilox, all rooted in my original concepts.
  • Video Ruler: Developed a precision measurement system, leveraging the same camera technology. Successfully commercialized it through Beta Industries in the U.S., forming long-term collaborations with Machine DRO on bespoke measuring solutions like UniDRO and ExceLDRO.

Ongoing Projects & Innovations

  • VizScale: Currently developing an enhanced version of the Video Ruler. VizScale integrates with UniDRO for precise 3D non-contact measurements, ideal for applications like milling machines and custom jigs.
  • BrailleCam: Partnering with Omnitek to create BrailleCam, a tool for ensuring the quality of pharmaceutical braille packaging, advancing accessibility standards in manufacturing.

Summary

With decades of experience in imaging technology and precision measurement, I’ve built a career defined by innovation and adaptability. From transforming legacy systems to pioneering new tools for modern challenges, I remain passionate about creating impactful solutions.