Flexible and fast
‘Xtreme Flexibility’ was the topic for Anja Hagedorn from the KBA product
marketing department. A wide range of accessory equipment enables KBA
Rapida presses to be configured as highly specialised means of production,
and thereby matched perfectly to the demands of cosmetics, food, non-food or
pharmaceuticals segments. Whether ‘TouchFree Guidance’, ‘CX’, ‘Antistatic Foil’
or ‘Corrugated’, the equipment packages extend the scope of application of a
press beyond the standard parameters. Rapida presses are no less flexible
when it comes to dryer configurations: In conjunction with application-oriented
coating supply systems, the VariDry family of dryers caters for every production
requirement – from IR and hot air, via UV, through to full IR/hot-air/UV
combinations.
Product marketing representative Jens Baumann focused on performance. It is
not only running speed, but also the quality control functions and cost reductions
achieved through process automation which determine the true performance of
a printing press. With options for inline colour control, grey balance control with
System Brunner or inline PDF comparison, KBA possesses a range of efficient
measuring and control systems which offer significant benefits.
Automation features such as the AniloxLoader or AniSleeve, inking unit
disengagement, DriveTronic SRW (Simultaneous Roller Wash), CleanTronic
Synchro and DriveTronic SPC create reserves for even higher output. At the same
time, raised press foundations or non-stop pile changing and logistics systems
are capable of further increasing the performance of Rapida presses. No other
medium-format press is able to match the 20000sph maximum speed of the
Rapida 106, and speeds of 17000sph in large format printing. Especially
in packaging printing, where long runs are common, such production speeds
lend an enormous boost to the competitiveness of a print company.
During the afternoon session, a series of parallel print demonstrations offered
the packaging specialists a choice of practical insights. Alongside, corresponding
networking solutions, management information systems from Optimus and
real-time production data acquisition systems from Logica were presented.
High-speed print demos in large format
A six-colour Rapida 145 with inline coater was shown producing green,
primary food packaging. The highlights of the demonstrations were the
use of low-migration inks, roller washing parallel to continued production,
simultaneous coating forme changing and anilox roller exchange during
production. The audience’s attention was also drawn to the facilities for fully
automatic non-stop pile changing and pile logistics, inline PDF comparison and
inline colour control. Following the production of fast-food packaging on G-flute
corrugated, a job and substrate change was performed to convert the press for
280gsm board. This involved a coating forme and sleeve change, plate changing,
a change of coating, blanket washing, and activation of the sixth printing unit
in place of the first. The new pizza packaging was printed at the full speed of
17000sph, and the rollers of the disengaged first unit were washed with the
press in full production. After a second fast job changeover, an example of
confectionery packaging was printed on 300gsm GC2 board.
The job changeovers with non-food packaging on a six-colour Rapida 164 in a
double-coater configuration were equally swift. In addition to high-quality matt
and gloss finishing with primer and a UV coating, the demonstration on this press
spotlighted fast coating changes. Inline colour control was also to be seen. The
first job was a corrugated board stool printed on 350gsm board finished with matt
dispersion coating and subsequently laminated onto a corrugated substrate. After
the job changeover, packaging for TV sets was printed on top liner; the finish was
achieved with primer and UV gloss coating.
Full house: Free seats were hard to come by between the presses in the KBA customer showroom
Vol 4 Issue 3 • KBA RADEBEUL ILLUMINATES PACKAGING PRINT
68
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