Rapida 185 / 205

The Rapida 185 and Rapida 205 represent the forefront of technology in superlarge formats. They are also the longest litho press lines in the world, with configurations of up to twelve printing, coating and drying units. With a maximum hourly output of 11,000 and 9,000 sheets respectively, extensive automation, fast makereadies and customized configurations, the VLF Rapidas offer printers of poster, point-of-sale displays, packaging and books new options for moving ahead of the competition.

Inline finishing saves time and money

Inline finishing in a single pass dramatically reduces labor input and waiting time by eliminating the need for additional kit, work sequences and storage space. This enhances productivity and efficiency. As the leader in this field KBA offers a wide choice of options.

Automated pile logistics

Nonstop facilities at the feeder and delivery can be linked to streamline pile logistics and support automated substrate logistics. Customized offerings include RFID transponder systems.

Integrated Workflow

All Rapidas can be embedded in a universal JDF workflow from job reception to delivery. A new consulting company, KBA Complete, provides expert advice on every aspect of printsop networking.

Available technology 

• Multi-purpose washing system - The washing beam of the new system travels along a linear path, whereby a rack-and-pinion combination provides for the pivoting of the beam at the three different positions for plate, blanket and impression cylinder washing. The advantages are to be seen in the greater positioning accuracy and reduced wear to the system components. In conjunction with the Impact washing system, blanket and roller washing can now be performed simultaneously. Cloth replacement is very simple and can be handled by a single operator. A further benefit of this system is the precisely controlled fabric advance by way of an electric motor, which provides for more effective utilisation of the cloth. The length of cloth used is measured during the winding onto the permanent spindle in the washing beam. The printer is informed as to the remaining cloth length and the corresponding number of washing cycles via the console monitor and can prepare the imminent replacement in good time.

• APC automatic plate changer - All Rapida 185/205 presses incorporate the fully automatic plate changing system APC as a standard feature, and are thus able to achieve plate changing times which have in the past only been known from smaller format classes. When they reach this size, the plates naturally call for a different form of handling. For this reason, the operator is offered an optional lifting facility for loading and unloading of the plate holders on the tower guards. The Rapida presses are equipped with single holders rather than plate cassettes, so as not to place unnecessary limitations on flexibility. The new plates can already be placed in the holders in advance. The actual change process is then activated from the control console, whereby the first step of the process is automatic zeroing of the register settings in the selected printing units. To enable manual register corrections - which are by no means unusual on sheets of this size - the rear clamping bars are split into three sections. APC changes the plates in four cycles, taking just 3 minutes to do so - irrespective of the number of printing units involved.

• Automatic Camera Register (ACR) Control - Automatic Camera Register Control (ACR Control) provides the operator with an extremely efficient system for fast colour registration even for this giant format. ACR Control comprises a camera, an integrated PC and the corresponding software. The camera is used to determine any register differences, and calculated correction values are then transmitted to the lateral, circumferential and diagonal register systems on the individual printing units. To be able to make proper use of the automatic function, it is necessary to overlay a special measuring patch when exposing the plates. In view of the required precision, the measuring patch can only be incorporated effectively using a CtF or CtP system. With its 50x magnification, the camera can also be used to inspect freely selected areas of the image.          

• Hybrid technology - The hybrid technology, which has been optimised for practical application by KBA together with a number of leading ink manufacturers, opens up new avenues for flexible inline product refinement at a favourable price. Configurations specially tailored to the hybrid system represent an alternative to traditional double-coating presses, offering enhanced quality, cost-efficiency and ecological compatibility for a reduced investment outlay. The hybrid system combines the properties of mineral-oil-based and UV-reactive inks. The fast drying and the reliable compatibility of the binder systems with the UV varnish guarantees excellent high-gloss results. The deliberate combination of different ink and varnish systems, furthermore, provides for attractive spot varnishing options. Even in super-large formats, ultrafine spot finishes can be produced in full offset register quality.