Koenig & Bauer has unveiled a new generation of the Rapida 76, with the B2 press (standard sheet format 530 x 750 mm; special format 605 x 750 mm) featuring new levels of automation, a minimal footprint and peak printing speeds of up to 18,000 sheets per hour.
Boasting a fully revamped appearance, it also stands out visually from its predecessors, and presents itself in the new Koenig & Bauer design.
Key features of the sheetfed offset press include 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.
In addition to the ErgoTronic console with wallscreen, the Rapida 76 possesses further decentralised touch screens, aiming 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.
“That could mean 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, for example – or packaging presses with double-coating facilities for the production of pharmaceutical packaging and the like,” the company said.
“Further variants incorporate raised foundations to accommodate higher piles with board substrates, or various delivery extensions for coating applications. Ink duct dividers can also be chosen to enable rainbow printing. Thanks to a comprehensive range of measuring systems and optional facilities for inline sheet inspection, the Rapida 76 is ideally prepared for a diversity of special applications, including even the production of security documents.”
The half-format press is compatible with different ink and coating systems – it handles both conventional and UV inks and coatings. Beside IR/hot-air drying systems, various UV, HR-UV and LED-UV systems are also available.
As on all Rapida presses, inking units which are not required for a particular job can be disengaged from the press drive to reduce roller wear and make-ready times. When production is to be resumed, the units concerned can be re-engaged at the press of a button.
In addition, the ColorTronic ink ducts, with the bleed-free ink metering which is typical of all Rapidas, aim for high repeat accuracy.
Koenig & Bauer also mentioned that the new press features simultaneous plate changing, enabling all the plates on the Rapida 76 to be changed “in just 45 seconds”.
“The Rapida 76 can be configured with systems for register measurement and control, colour control and sheet inspection. All inline systems operate with a common camera, which reduces maintenance requirements and simplifies handling,” the company said.
“A multitude of digital services surrounding the Rapida 76 also help to reduce unplanned downtimes, facilitates convenient and barrier-free maintenance of the press, and permits anonymous comparisons of important performance parameters with other presses in identical configurations.”
The options range from PressCall for optimisation of communication with remote maintenance engineers and VisualPressSupport to enable a better description of the reason for a remote maintenance call using photos (with extensive commenting functions), texts, videos and audio, via Performance Reports and Press Inspection Reports, through to the first instances of predictive services based on methods of artificial intelligence.
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