Koenig and Bauer has released the latest generation of its Rapida 76 B2 offset press, which has a revamped design with improved accessibility for easy handling and faster servicing, along the lines of the new Rapida 106 X.
The new press boasts a greater degree of automation so that it can reach speeds of up to 18,000 sheets per hour. The standard press takes sheets up to 530 x 750mm but there is an option to take a larger sheet size of 605 x 750mm.
It can be configured with up to 11 printing and finishing units, which could allow for example, a ten-colour press with an automatically convertible perfecting unit for 5-over-5 production – possibly together with an additional coating tower to allow the printing of covers. But it could equally be set up for packaging with double-coating facilities for the production of pharmaceutical packaging and the like.
Koenig and Bauer has expanded the finishing choices with new options such as double coating and cold foil finishing.
The press features a new operating concept based on touch displays at feeder, infeed and delivery. It’s fitted with cameras to monitor sheet travel within the press, something that has previously only been available on the larger presses. Koenig and Bauer has also integrated its colour control and sheet inspection into one camera instead of two, which reduces maintenance requirements and simplifies handling.
It’s now possible to mount unbent printing plates, including for use with simultaneous plate changing systems whereby all the plates can be changed in 45 seconds. The new Rapida 76 also gains removable sheet guide plates as also fitted on the Rapida 106, to allow for easy handling and quicker servicing.
It can use both conventional and UV inks and coatings and can be fitted with IR/hot-air drying systems, as well as various UV, HR-UV and LED-UV systems. Inking units which are not required for a particular job can be disengaged from the press drive to reduce roller wear and cut make-ready times. The units can be re-engaged at the press of a button.
The new Rapida 76 can also take advantage of the various digital services that Koenig and Bauer has rolled out over the last year or so. This includes improvements to remote maintenance as well as allowing anonymous comparisons of important performance parameters with other presses in identical configurations.
The new press is available now, and you can find further details from Koenig-bauer.com.
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