Page 48 - Print 21 Magazine Sep-Oct 2021

Technology Focus
Press manufacturer Koenig & Bauer has unveiled a new B1 press for the packaging and commercial markets, the Rapida 106 X.
Koenig & Bauer launches
nAew B1 Rapida 106 X
t the launch event for its panel and comes with a press status new flagship B1 press the display at the delivery end. It also Rapida 106 X was shown has an app, which gives details on in two configurations; the current job and the next in line.
a seven-colour with The Job Optimiser software is a double coater and succeeding bridge between a printer's MIS and
in less than two minutes, thanks to upgraded ink ducts.
The commercial version features the same enhancements. During
the launch event Koenig & Bauer showed how its Production Planning Centre can re-order a batch of jobs to produce the work in the most efficient way.
In a show of its minimal downtime the press ran eight different jobs without intervention at the launch event, using AutoRun autonomous printing mode, on three different types of stock from 80gsm uncoated to 300gsm postcard grade, each with a run of 300 sheets.
The system saved seven minutes of production time by optimising
the job order. “Our Logotronic Cockpit OEE software for production managers showed that we saved €93 in under 20 minutes. If you calculate that for yearly production it’s a
big bunch of money,” said head of printing technology Dirk Winkler.
The Rapida 106 X uses between 25-50 sheets for makeready waste, said head of product management Sascha Fischer, and the changeover time between jobs “including plate change and short blanket wash” is one minute and 50 seconds.
Blanket tension is now motorised, “so there is always the same gripper margin”. For a six-colour press, lubrication points have been slashed by 200, while gripper bars have long- life lubing. 21
extra print unit configuration for packaging production, and an eight- unit perfector with coater, for the commercial market – billed as the world’s fastest perfecting press.
Koenig & Bauer said the new press had been developed from scratch, and says its 20,000sph speed makes it “the fastest packaging sheetfed press on the market”. It says it will deliver time savings of 25 minutes by optimising production schedules and job specifications.
The Rapida 106 X also has a
new black and grey livery and has illuminated glass side panels. Dave Lewis, managing director of Koenig & Bauer Australasia, said, “The new Rapida 106 offers commercial and packaging printers unparalleled levels of productivity. With high speed, makeready in genuine minutes, and connectivity, it is a press for the modern era.”
Above
High performance: the new Koenig & Bauer
the Koenig & Bauer Logotronic press management system.
Dirk Winkler, head of printing technology at Koenig & Bauer, said, “Just when we and everybody else thought the potential of makeready savings was exhausted, Koenig
& Bauer comes around and is presenting totally new features.”
Speaking on the configuration of the press at the live stream launch event, which was seven-colour, double coater and a following print unit, Sascha Fischer, head of product management, said, “This configuration is becoming more and more standard in the packaging market, because it gives you full flexibility.”
Among the innovations the new Rapida 106 X accepts unbent plates, doing away with a step in pre-press, and its simultaneous roller wash works on UV applications. It has a new cold foil module delivering foil savings. Ink colour can be changed
It has a new touchscreen operating Rapida 106 X
B2 Rapida 76 available in multiple configurations
KBA is launching a new B2 sheetfed offset press, the Rapida 76, available in a multitude of straight, perfecting, commercial, packaging, and special configurations, and targeting high-end print production in the medium size format.
The highly automated press has a small footprint, runs at 18,000sph, and comes with what Koenig & Bauer says are both new and proven automation functions, which characterise the Rapida 76 as an efficient, high-performance press.
Available in both standard sheet format of 530 x 750 mm, and special format of 605 x 750 mm, it also stands out visually from its predecessors,
and presents itself in the new, award- winning Koenig & Bauer design.
Key features are the DriveTronic dedicated drive components, which eliminate complicated gear systems and provide for both simple handling and parallel processes during job changeovers and make-ready. The
full preset capabilities of all press components are a further benefit. In addition to the ErgoTronic console with wallscreen, the Rapida 76 possesses further decentralised touchscreens for maximum ease of operation.
To cater for as many different applications as possible, up to 11 printing and finishing units can be combined to configure a Rapida 76, which is tailored precisely to individual production needs.
48 Print21 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021