KBA MePrint, a subsidiary of KBA that specialises in waterless UV offset presses, has developed a narrow web press. While most narrow web presses use flexography, the Varius LX-TX is based on UV offset technology. It uses ghosting-free anilox short inking units so there’s no ink keys or dampening solution. It has a semi-rotary design that should allow for continuous variation of the printing length without time-consuming changes for the plate and blanket cylinder.
It uses offset plates rather than flexo sleeves, which KBA claims will lead to lower costs. The waterless offset approach should also deliver very sharp detail and bright colours – which will be particularly useful for high-quality wine, spirits, cosmetics and other premium labels, films or challenging laminates with thicknesses between 50 and 500 microns.
It runs at 50mpm and takes rolls from 100 to 430mm wide, with a maximum 420mm printing width. It takes substrates from 50-500 microns, including self-adhesive labels, laminates and foils.
In keeping with modern presses, it’s highly automated from the plate changing and auto register through to the optional quick-change doctor blade chambers.
Other options include the ability to change from anilox to longer inking units without damping, as well as modules for UV varnishing, opaque white applications and even flat screen printing units from KBA-Kammann with digital printing heads for marking or personalization to be offered later.
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