Koenig & Bauer ‘Sprinting Ahead’ at Drupa with Offset and Digital Print Innovations
With the Rapida 105, KBA will also be presenting a completely new medium-format series in Düsseldorf. The press was unveiled to the public at the All in Print China fair in Shanghai last November. The high-level delivery is immediate indication that the new Rapida 105 is based on the same platform as the high-end Rapida 106 press. The range of automation options has been extended compared to the predecessor model.
After positive experience with the presses delivered over the past three months, the maximum production speed for presses incorporating the high-speed package is to be raised to 17,000 sph (standard: 16,500 sph) with effect from Drupa. The Rapida 105 is now also available in a four-back-four perfector configuration, with a perfecting unit based on the modern technology of the Rapida 106. The new Rapida 105 thus packs all the features expected of a modern commercial press placed under the banner: “Designed for Performance.”
The real show highlight, however, is the presentation of this internationally popular press type in a hybrid offset/inkjet version. The five offset printing units and coater tower are joined by an inkjet unit with two Delta 105iUV printing systems from Atlantic Zeiser for personalized imprinting and coding applications. Thanks to an innovative vacuum cylinder (AirTronic Drum) to fix the sheets under the inkjet heads, the KBA Rapidas (105 and 106) are currently the only presses on the market to realize this option without the need for mechanical sheet guides and print-free corridors. The unique solution prevents lifting of the tail edges and enables the inkjet systems to be installed at a clearance of only 1mm (0.04in) from the sheet. UV-LED dryers provide for fast drying of the ink.
There are many potential applications for inkjet systems in a sheetfed printing press. They range from sheet marking in connection with quality inspection using the alphaJET-tempo printer from KBA-Metronic to codings for purposes of brand protection (barcodes, QR codes, numerical IDs or combinations thereof). Relevant fields are security printing, packaging, labels, lottery tickets and industrial product marking.
