Koenig & Bauer has used China Print to take the wraps off a new B1 press, the updated Rapida 105. Like previous versions of the machine, the Rapida 105 is a less expensive, less sophisticated version of the Rapida 106.
Yet it employs technology found on the flagship Rapida 106X, including the distinctive side frame, sheet transfer and automation features.
The press on the show floor had six print units, a coater and extended delivery. It was put though its paces on a variety of jobs to demonstrate versatility across paper and board printing.
The technical features include comprehensive presetting functions, single setting for all grippers, an improved single tape feed table. In a board configuration, the Rapida 105 will print a 1.2mm board, As a commercial print press, it spans 0.06-0.7mm. Perfecting as well as straight printing is possible.
The configuration was chosen to reflect demand in China where six or more colours together with inline enhancement and pallet handling logistics around the press are becoming standard. The launch of the press attracted a good crowd at the exhibition, both in person and online. Video was to the fore as foreign visitors to the Beijing event were not possible.
Ralf Sammeck, Koenig & Bauer COO and director for the sheetfed segment, told the audience that “users of the new sheetfed press generation would not only be investing in the very latest printing technologies, developed and manufactured entirely in Germany, but also be securing a competitive advantage that will raise their business success to new levels”.
The original intention had been to design the machine to look like the previous version of the Rapida 105. However, in the course of development and because the mechanics of the machine are based on the new Rapida 106X, the style of the new flagship press was retained. This means glass panel, “mobile phone”, side frames and the retention of some of the features from the flagship press.
It includes, says Koenig & Bauer, “comprehensive preset capabilities; universal gripper systems with single setting for all substrates; cloth base CleanTronic washing up; VariDry drying and measuring and control systems for quality assurance”.
It does not have some of the other automation features of the Rapida 106X, including its top speed Plate iDent and the option of SIS. It does share the central suction belt that this press has and can have the Qualitronic PrintCheck monitoring system to check printed sheets against the pass sheet.
“The new Rapida 105 generation is the right product at the right time,” says Dietmar Heyduck, senior VP of sales at Koenig & Bauer Sheetfed. “It is characterised by both the latest technologies and an ultramodern design.”
More and more presses are configured with inline measuring and control system and there is growing demand for presses with cold foil application inline as printers need to match customer requirements for improved quality on printed packaging with value add elements.
