KBA Readies New SLF Presses For Market

The biggest SLF offset press on the international market entered the final phase of production at the beginning of November 2003 with the successful conclusion of sheet-run trials at KBA's factory.

The biggest SLF offset press on the international market entered the final phase of production at the beginning of November 2003 with the successful conclusion of sheet-run trials at KBA's factory near Dresden.

Following exhaustive print tests and the completion of other commissioning work, the first press to roll off the assembly line should be delivered to poster printer Ellerhold at the end of January 2004.

KBA has created two totally new models: the size 8 (723/4") Rapida 185 and size 9 (803/4") Rapida 205, both of which Ellerhold has ordered as four-colour coater versions with dryers.

KBA believes the two press types plug a technology gap in a sector, which has seen few advances since the 1960s and 1970s.

The level of automation they offer (plate changing, press presetting and adjustment) will be a boon for poster and display printers looking to enhance their productivity and cost-efficiency in a sector where short runs dominate, claimed the company.

The cut in make ready times and the increase in output compared to other presses of similar size is also significant.

The Rapida 185 produces 11,000 sheets per hour, the Rapida 205 9,000.

The 205's image and plate size can be aligned with existing technology such as maximum platesetter format, for example.

The new SLF presses, like all Rapidas, are mounted on solid substructures cast in one piece to promote an optimum print quality.

Torsionally rigid ink ducts eliminate colour fluctuations, even across the Rapida 205's record width of 2,050mm.

Other features include KBA's four-drive shaftless feeder for a smooth, jerk-free pile movement, a multiple washing system for the plate, blanket and impression cylinders (including a wash and print function for UV presses), an anilox coater and an ergotronic console with remote maintenance function, digital data communication and networking option.

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