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Offset press update: The domination continues According to Smithers Pira, by 2022 digital print will be 19.1% in terms of value worldwide – but only 4.3% in terms of volume! The rest will be offset! So it’s no surprise that the world’s leading offset press manufacturers continue to raise the bar in terms of increased automation, improved print quality, reduced waste and a host of ultra-efficient, built-in processes. Here’s a brief update.
Koenig & Bauer’s Rapida 106 X Sheetfed Offset Press The oldest offset press manufacturer in the world, Koenig & Bauer, launched a second-generation, feature-rich, 8-colour, B1 sheetfed offset press for the commercial print and packaging markets one year ago this month. The all-new Rapida 106 X was previewed in depth at a live-streaming event from the OEM’s headquarters in Würzburg, Germany. It’s well worth watching again: www.youtube.com/ watch?v=XB2if3Uf9Ac. The fascinating video was the final part of the OEM’s daily series that reviewed new products and technologies that would have been released at drupa 2020. With a maximum speed of 20,000 sheets per hour (sph), the new-generation Rapida 106 X was shown as an 8-unit perfector press with coater for the commercial print market. Cutting-edge automation and productivity have always been the driving forces behind Koenig & Bauer presses. So it’s not surprising that just about every component and process of this sophisticated yet easyto-use press was built for maximum production efficiency. In fact, just about all Rapida 106 X upgrades were based on customer feedback that resulted in the improvement of existing features, or the addition of new efficiency-boosting functions. In the video, eight different 300-sheet projects utilizing three different substrates were completed in just 26 minutes! The new Rapida 106 X was developed from the ground up and is “the fastest packaging sheetfed press on the market, delivering time savings of 25 minutes by optimizing production schedules and job specifications,” the company added.
12 | June 2021 | GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE
A huge array of new features. The Rapida 106 line has been “the make-ready world champion” in medium-format since 2008. Some important new features include an MIS system that’s connected to the Koenig & Bauer Logotronic Press Management System, yielding even more make-ready efficiencies. Simultaneous roller-wash technology can accommodate UV and conventional inks, and can be changed over in less than two minutes due to the press’s upgraded ink ducts. Among many innovations, the new Rapida 106 X accepts unbent plates, eliminating a prepress step, and features a new cold-foil module that also reduces foil costs. The 106 X has a sleek new design with illuminated glass side panels. Operation is made easier via its new and larger touchscreen, a pressstatus display panel at delivery, and an easy-to-use app for mobile devices that shows current and next-in-line project information. Summary of key Rapida 106 X benefits • New sleek and highly functional press design • Maximum 20,000 sheets / hour output • Lower overall maintenance • Enhanced touchscreen panel with more functionality and better visual recognition of press production and procedures via new 24/7 LED lighting • Seamless, simultaneous one-minute plate changes – from CtP to storage unit to transport to press without the risk of scratching (i.e. no manual touching of plates) • Side-lay infeed system for stable processing of each sheet
• Specially coated ink ducts for faster, maintenance-free ink changeovers • Simultaneous roller wash function can be deployed while producing other jobs • Supported roller adjustment for longer life and easier changing of rollers • Improved print blanket washing • Inline colour control for accurate colour management – a photo is taken of every sheet and compared to a master sheet or the original PDF. Any errors are reported • Optimized dryer configuration for faster drying of output • Automatic register control – two double-camera systems measure precise registration • DriveTronic SIS feeding system that further guarantees precise registration • A host of finishing capabilities including inline rotary die cutting, embossing, cold foil, gloss or matte effects and varnish for multiple coating applications • Optional optimized long-life automatic lubrication throughout the press Koenig & Bauer also offers a variety of options that allow its presses to be configured to meet specific customer needs. In fact, the OEM was traditionally – and still is – a custom press manufacturer that’s experienced great success in this highly demanding area. Finally, a number of flexible, affordable tech-support options are all aimed at reducing downtime. For more information call Aleks Lajtman, Koenig & Bauer Regional Sales Manager for North America, at (647) 719-3069, or e-mail Aleks.Lajtman@koenig-bauer.com. The Rapida 106 X Sheetfed Offset Press from Koenig & Bauer
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