KBA has shown off a new version of its Rapida 105 press at last week’s Print China show, though it won’t be officially available until June. The new 105 Pro fits in between the proven Rapida 105 and the high-end Rapida 106. It’s available with up to 10 printing units, perfecting as well as single and multiple coating applications and it can be configured for individual production requirements. KBA is targeting both the commercial print and packaging printing markets. It can handle substrate thicknesses from 0.04mm to 1.6mm and options include Microflute, film and lightweight paper packages or kit for in-mould film. There are options for both HR-UV or LED-UV energy-saving drying processes.
The 105 Pro borrows many features from the 106 and builds on the 105 with a faster speed of 17,000sph and a 20mm larger standard sheet format of 740 x 1,050mm for packaging and label applications.
It also boasts shorter makeready times thanks to more automation. A key feature is the ability for full presets from the feeder, through the printing units to the delivery. All of the settings at the feeder and delivery can be stored according to job type and then preset for repeats. There are new tools for quickly setting up ink profiles and a Job List that shows preview images and optimisation functions for determining the sequence of jobs speed up production changes further. There’s also a new ErgoTronic console that uses a touchscreen with no need for a keyboard.
Options for automated plate changing include semi-automatic plate change (change in every printing unit at the touch of a button) and automatic plate change (fully automatic change in all units in 2.8 minutes). There’s a CleanTronic washing system for blankets, impression cylinders and rollers. Other options include DriveTronic SRW (simultaneous roller wash), CleanTronic Multi (ink changes) and CleanTronic UV, which can cut washing times from four to two minutes.
The press also has a non-stick coating on the EasyClean ink ducting to save time when changing inks. There are no consumable parts to the ink ducts and no film liner so that the ink zone settings can be reproduced precisely. Inking units that are not being used can be uncoupled and only those units needed are actually run to save energy, washing times and washing agents as well as extending the service life of inking rollers.
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