Compacta 217

With the 70,000 cph Compacta 217, KBA has augmented its product range with a further modern, high-end press for the important 16-page sector, as a complement to the already proven Compacta 215. 

A problem-free supply of paper to the press is an essential prerequisite for unhindered production. With the reel transport system KBA Patras, in conjunction with KBA Pastomat C reelstands, KBA offers an integrated system for efficient stock handling.  

The name KBA Patras stands for a flexible paper transport system, with configurations ranging from a simple manual version right up to fully automated setups. Its modular design ensures optimum adaptation to individual production requirements and to the available space.  

Convenient handling, reduced maintenance, ultimate print quality and impressive stock flexibility are just four of the facts which characterise the printing units of the Compacta 217. The use of pre-loaded, absolutely play-free multiple-ring bearings renders cylinder bearers superfluous.  

The film inking unit of the Compacta 217, with its outstandingly high degree of regularity, is able to guarantee optimum print quality even with demanding formes and unfavourable image layouts. The ColorTronic ink ducts with integrated electronics are renowned for their absolutely bleed-free ink metering, their stability over long runs and a high level of repetitive accuracy. The last forme roller is designed to oscillate, to counter ghosting effects with difficult printing formes. A special ink doctor blade system can be brought into use in next to no time to facilitate the printing of narrow webs. As a contribution to ecological production, the dampening unit of the Compacta 217 is designed for low-alcohol and alcohol-free printing, and permits both direct and indirect dampening. The drive technology used ensures optimum metering of the dampening solution to suit the most varied stocks. 

Long runs with frequent imprint changes are a major trend in commercial printing today, especially for mailings. In response, KBA has redefined the approach to imprinter technologies with new concepts based on the recently established individual shaftless drives. Conventional imprinters permit flying imprint changes on only one side of the web, for example address changes or variable price markings.  

The newest imprinter solutions, which KBA already pioneered well ahead of its rivals in conjunction with the Compacta 215, are built around additional "normal" printing units. The individual drives enable two separate printing units to be activated and deactivated alternately and thus facilitate simple flying imprint changes at full production speed. In contrast to conventional imprinters, the changes can here be initiated simultaneously for both sides of the web, e.g. to produce different language versions of a brochure. It goes without saying that the "imprinter" units can also be used as fully-equipped printing units for production with spot colours, etc., bringing a further boost to production flexibility. 

KBA's extensive know-how is also reflected in the superstructure of the Compacta 217. All the essential components, such as turner bars, former and RTF, for example, are cantilevered to ensure optimum accessibility for the operators.  

Production flexibility, the shortest possible conversion times, high folding accuracy and minimum maintenance, paired with absolute reliability and simple handling, are the demands placed on all folders from KBA. 

Automatic adjustment of the split and fold timing and automatic correction of the product alignment are just two of the many automation highlights of the new folder generation. With a choice of pin or gripper folders, furthermore, the new folder line-up addresses the demands and preferences of the individual print company in optimum fashion. It is not without reason that KBA has again remained true to the concept of two quarter-folds, thereby guaranteeing production reliability in continuous operation even at the high web speeds of the Compacta 217. 

The standard versions of the folders incorporate a first cross fold, double parallel fold, delta fold with or without subsequent quarterfold, timed length perforation and product-true cross perforation. The depth of both length and cross perforation can be adjusted on the run. Folder conversion for the different production types is fully automatic after initiation from the console, whereby bus-controlled setting motors provide for fast completion, absolute precision and direct sequence monitoring. If the fold module is positioned under the folder itself, it becomes possible to print 2 x 8 poster pages (closed at the head) or, with a two-web installation, 2 x 16 pages. A cut-off cassette with a separate electric drive, furthermore, can be integrated for the production of 2 x 4, 2 x 8 or 4 x 4 pages. 

The user-oriented control console KBA ErgoTronic, the automatic presspresetting system KBA EasyTronic and the production management system KBA LogoTronic are important elements of an integrated automation concept.  

The automatic press presetting system KBA EasyTronic raises the availability of the press and contributes to considerable savings in wastage. It features, for example, automated web-threading, automatic web width conversion when setting up a new job, run-out washing in accordance with production demands, and defined preinking. All superstructure and folder components are preset on the basis of the pre-press data. A single press of a button provides for optimised starting, setting-up and stopping of the press, ensuring the shortest possible production times and an absolute minimum of wastage. 

All KBA Compacta presses are equipped as standard with the LogoTronic basic version of the system. This version serves to transfer essential preset data to the press. LogoTronic basic embraces the optional modules CIPLink (CIP3/CIP4 data transfer for press presetting) and logging for paper and ink data. The existing company hardware (server) is used to implement the networking system. Presetting data for the ink keys and for the duct roller settings are transferred. 

To support a digital exchange of job and presetting data for the press, to permit immediate monitoring and systematic evaluation of production data, and to establish links to upstream PPS systems or company EDP networks, the console can be further expanded by adding the open production management system LogoTronic professional. The logging of press and production data facilitates operations management, with KBA LogoTronic as a source of truly meaningful statistics. LogoTronic professional is the central element of communication between KBA presses and the corresponding print company MIS, whether via direct database access or via JDF. The communication module JDFLink implements JDF data exchange. 

The LogoTronic component PressWatch provides management with an overview of all the jobs currently being run. Counter states, printing speeds, job data and progress, press status messages and a whole array of other relevant information can be displayed in real time. 

SpeedWatch creates a time/speed diagram, similarly in real time, with which all events and messages for a selected press can be depicted. Correspondingly authorised persons are able to access this information via the Internet or the company Intranet. 

Interconnection of LogoTronic professional via the universal interface JDFLink offers the following advantages: 

Basic equipment 

Optional extras