Printpak invests in KBA Rapida 106

The Rapida 106 has a top speed of 18,000sph and is being commissioned with a 900mm plinth, extensive logistics, automatic non-stop feeder and delivery capabilities. For ultra-quick make readies, fully automatic plate changing is also specified, with all plates being changed in less than three minutes. More efficient production on a broad range of substrates is possible with the new press as it is equipped with both a CX and plastics package. This will allow printing of a great variety of materials of up to 1.2mm thick at speeds up to 18,000sph. The UV drying system is equipped with UV sensors that enable precise monitoring of the UV output directly at the lamp, providing confidence that the level of UV curing is always at its optimum level.

For energy efficiency, the press has been specified with KBA’s VariDry Blue energy recovery system in the delivery, which reuses heated waste air from the delivery drying process and reduces energy consumption by approximately 33 percent. The whole press is equipped with a water cooling facility that reduces heat in the press hall, and reduces wear and tear on the peripheral components.

The performance data of the press will be automatically captured for analysis via KBA’s LogoTronic Professional, which will provide detailed reports on every activity taking place on the press. This system also provides the link to pre-press, an MIS system and allows the storage of the color quality data produced by the press via KBA’s Qualitronic QualityPass and QualiTronic ColorView.

The new press, which is due to be installed in the company’s state-of-the-art factory extension at the end of March, has been purchased to provide additional capacity, and to increase the range of coating options available to its existing and future customer base.

The new press is the latest stage of significant investment in the business, which has included new buildings, die-cutting, blanking, repro and a highly specified folder gluer.

Printpak sales director Denny Sall explained: ‘The investment in the Rapida 106, and in particular the double coating capability, will allow us to offer an additional range of finishes and special coatings to our clients.

‘The ability to control and monitor color on every single sheet the press produces via KBA’s QualiTronic ColorControl will enable us to provide even greater levels of quality assurance to our clients.’

Printpak production director Pali Sall added: ‘The press is equipped to a high standard to allow us to not only add additional capacity to the business but also to ensure we have all the relevant reporting methods to ensure that what comes out of the press is at the desired levels of performance and quality. Color consistency and its reporting is crucial for our clients and to have a tool like Qualitronic Colour Control is going to provide them with even greater reassurance of our ability to match and maintain color to very tight tolerances throughout a press run.’

‘As 2016 proved we are the number one supplier of presses to the sheet-fed packaging market and this investment provides further evidence that the Rapida 106 has now firmly become the press of choice for the high end packaging market,’ commented KBA (UK) sales director Chris Scully. ‘We are looking forward to contributing to the future successes at Printpak.’