Page 34 - Print21 March-April 2020

Revolution in Print
Koenig & Bauer
Dave Lewis, managing director of Koenig & Bauer Australia, said the company was strong in all areas of sheetfed printing,
but particularly strong in packaging.
“Our company in Germany is going after packaging, in particular, trying to offer the complete range of packaging machinery which now includes Koenig & Bauer Iberica die-cutters and Koenig & Bauer Duran folder gluers,” he said.
Lewis says at drupa this year, the company will release its VariJet 106,
a digital hybrid press for packaging. “Anything you can get on a Rapida 106
– offset printing units, foiling, anilox coating units – you can get on this machine, in addition to our digital unit,” Lewis
says. “It can be a proper packaging press with anything you need on it, that’s the difference between the VariJet and other options. There will be developments in our standard offset presses as well.”
“The VariJet 106 is Rapida 106 technology, but with a big digital unit in the middle. Customers with Rapidas would be interested in putting in a VariJet – all the press components are from the 106 barring the digital unit, including the feeder, infeed and so on. From an operator point of view, moving them across to the 106 would be straightforward.”
“We offer direct drive technology for the plate cylinders on the 106 and on the large format presses, meaning no gears. That means simultaneous plate change – you can change all the plates on all our large format presses in 51 seconds,” Lewis says.
“On the Rapida 106, the plate change is 34 seconds for all plates and our PlateIdent system makes sure the plates are on the correct unit then pre-registers the job before taking a pull. The 106 can also compensate for paper stretching – you can adjust the fit on the run.”
34 Print21 MARCH/APRIL 2020
“The printing industry is anything but part of the old economy – it boasts a large number of creative minds who are succeeding in turning ideas into innovations.”
Rainer Hundsdörfer, Heidelberg CEO
Lewis continues saying all Koening & Bauer presses include ErgoTronic AutoRun, a system that gangs up jobs and performs automatic make-readies with the press computer in control.
“A definite trend over the past few years
is that the quick make-ready features on
our Rapida 106 have also been put into the large-format presses, which would have been unheard of a few years ago,” Lewis says.
“We offer cold foiling on all of our presses, and it will be available on the VariJet 106 digital machine as well. We have marking technology as well using a digital inkjet numbering unit.”
RMGT
RMGT (formerly Ryobi) will present a cloud-connected smart factory concept at drupa, where the presses, post press, and other processes are all integrated with live automated guided vehicles moving the paper around the stand.
Bernard Cheong, managing director of Cyber, distributor of RMGT presses in Australasia, says the focus of RMGT is to “assist your potential”.
Along these lines, the company aims to develop machines and features that bring out the best in individuals by reducing human errors and optimising productivity. Cheong says this approach allows operators
to focus on their main task, which is maintaining quality and productivity, and managing jobs, leaving everything else to the machine.
“Under the current environment
of intense competition, coupled with
a shortage of skilled labour, further automation will be required not only for the press, but also for the total workflow and integration from job management, pre- press, to post-press,” Cheong says.
He points out that RMGT parent company Ryobi manufactures automotive diecast parts, and has been using robotic arms and systems in its production line for the past two decades.
“The whole manufacturing facility runs 24/7, with minimal manpower required. With this wealth of experience, the know-how will be transferred to RMGT,” Cheong says.
“Together we will incorporate several robotic features into our printing systems; details will be released at drupa 2020.”
In addition to the adoption of robotic systems, RMGT will use software to help streamline the production process, which can, according to Cheong, make ultra-short run profitable with optimisation of workflow between each production department.
“To continue to compete in the new economy, investment in new technology
is necessary,” Cheong says. “RMGT will introduce an improved service approach to our users by using proprietary cloud service and wearable devices. The machines will be digitally monitored, and the software will offer predictive counter measure information, and assist with troubleshooting,” Cheong says. “We will see more robots at work.”
Press manufacturers have been talking up the technological wonders that will be on display in June at drupa 2020. This is a peek at what is happening in the offset tech space, the full story will be revealed in the Messe Centre in three months’ time. 21
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