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Printing Presses and Machinery (New and Used, Service and Repair)
News Release from: KBA | Subject: Colora, Commander, Coritna Presses
Edited by the Printingtalk Editorial
Team on 23 February 2004
KBA Demonstrate Art Of Switching Web
Widths
The ability to switch from one web width to another on the fly, without impairing the printing and folding quality, may be a novelty for other manufacturers but has been a standard feature of two-acro
The ability to switch from one web width to another on the fly, without impairing the printing and folding quality has been a standard feature of two-across KBA newspaper presses for some time, claimed the company The facility is being specified for an increasing number of its four and six across Colora and Commander presses as well
This article was originally published on Printingtalk on 9 Feb 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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The flexibility afforded by printing different copy widths on the same press means that a much broader spectrum of products can be handled, boosting plant utilisation and thus profitability, said KBA.
North American printers, especially, have been quick to exploit its potential.
KBA offers a choice of three options - via the turner bars in the superstructure, a slitter and ribbon mover prior to print, or adjustable formers - to support different production scenarios (frequent or occasional use of different web widths, range of web widths, number of webs).
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The level of automation, such as inking and dampening preset, draw-roller adjustment and so on, can be determined individually by factoring in production specifications, ease of operation, make-ready times and cost-efficiency.
After evaluating all the relevant parameters KBA recommends the most suitable option and submits a detailed proposal.
With all three options the individual ribbons are fed over the centre of the former.
The modifications needed to the reel stand software, draw rollers at the parallel draw unit, folder, press controls and presetting systems (web tension, ink keys, dampeners with or without shutters), and also in adjacent links in the production chain (reel loading, pre-press and post-press) depend on the spread of web widths specified.
Variable trolleys are needed at the infeed unit, horizontally adjustable trolleys (manual, with automated as an option) for the catcher and draw rollers.
The photocells monitoring web run are fixed in position within the minimum web width and need not be moved.
Storing the setting parameters for the different web widths is said to substantially reduce make-ready for repeat jobs.
For production where changes in web width are the exception rather than the rule, the simplest and most economical option is to guide the web centrally through the printing couples to the turner bars and slit it down the middle in the superstructure.
The ribbons are then guided over single or double turner bars to the centre of the formers.
Very little conversion work is required.
KBA said that it is all the more cost-effective if some of the turner bars used for the main product are surplus to requirements for the titles printed on the off-spec webs and can therefore function as ribbon movers, instead of being disengaged.
With a ribbon mover option prior to print, which supports more frequent and rapid changes in web width, the web is pulled in by an automatic webbing-up chain located at the operating or drive side.
Immediately prior to entry in the infeed unit it is slit down the middle by two rotating blades that engage like a pair of scissors.
The ribbons are then moved into position by turner bars and inserted in the usual way.
KBA claims that this system is superior to comparable ones on the market because it is easy to retrofit and takes up less space.
There is no limit on the number of webs, and the compact slitter/ribbon mover assembly makes for easier conversion and supports extensive automation, which is useful if there is a big difference in web widths.
However, it is not suitable for H-type units in wet offset (because of fan-out), or for heatset production.
An adjustable former option in the superstructure is already featured in a number of KBA web presses.
The web is guided centrally through the printing couples to the turner bars, and slit.
The formers are positioned to accept the ribbons mid-centre, and their flanks adjusted by removing the fillers or leaving them in position.
The big advantage of the system is that it cuts make-ready times because the formers and the draw rollers integrated beneath them can be positioned simultaneously.
The turner bars and trolleys at the catcher and draw rollers are easily adjusted, as is the slitter at former infeed.
KBA said the Cortina's design makes it ideal for handling webs of different widths, because there are no ink keys or dampeners to be adjusted and edition changes are fast, even with continual changes of web width.
This is due in part to new features at the turner bars and formers.
Here the web is slit upon leaving the printing units and each ribbon guided over a turner bar to the centre of a former positioned at right angles to the press.
An automatic cut-off control in the former infeed monitors and controls circumferential and sidelay registration. Request a free brochure from KBA ...
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