KBA DriveTronic
In the medium format, KBA's leading exhibit at Drupa 2008 is the Rapida 106. The fast makeready and 18,000sph output of the eight-colour perfecting version demonstrated represents a landmark in B1 technology. It can handle a larger sheet size - 740 x 1,060mm (29½ x 41¾in) - than its predecessor and offers a wider choice of automation options: KBA DriveTronic dedicated drives, and the benefits they bring in terms of changeover times, operation, maintenance and waste, have redefined the international benchmark in this format.
The DriveTronic feeder, with its manifold presetting options, has dedicated drives for all motion-related functions: a jerk-free movement of the main and auxiliary piles (in nonstop operation) and at the suction head and suction-belt feed table.
DriveTronic SIS, a revolutionary no-sidelay infeed, eliminates all manual intervention during changes of stock and ensures a much smoother sheet travel than mechanical or pneumatic systems.
The DriveTronic SPC dedicated plate-cylinder drive system supports simultaneous plate changing in less than 60 seconds, regardless of the number of printing units. Because makeready tasks and washing can be carried out simultaneously, it dramatically shortens changeover times, so plate changes are no longer relevant from the time perspective.
A further innovation associated with DriveTronic SPC is DriveTronic Plate-Ident, which reads registration marks imaged in the gripper margin on the plates and uses them to set a theoretical zero register on all the plate cylinders. As a result registration is precise right from the first proof. What is more, DriveTronic Plate Ident identifies the colour separations on the plates in each printing unit by scanning a data matrix code that is also imaged in the gripper margin. This eliminates all risk of confusion and thus unnecessary waste.
