Users of small and half-format offset presses in particular are suffering the effects of the shift in the graphic arts industry, ever smaller print runs and the growth of digital printing. However, there are a raft of printing companies in Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia with sheetfed offset presses in B2 format or smaller. KBA CEE in Prague and Warsaw also looks after these users with great dedication. It is not without reason that the Rapida 75 is particularly successful in this sales region.
In 2014 55 new and 24 used printing and coating units belonging to the Rapida 75 went to users in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland. In the first half-year 2015 alone 47 new printing and finishing units were ordered by printing companies in these three countries. This is in addition to 18 second-hand units. Further orders are in the pipeline.
Extensive automation is becoming standard
A lot has changed since the Rapida 75 was launched at Drupa 2008. A host of parts, technological innovations and automation modules flowed from the large Rapida models into the Rapida 75. Step by step a cutting-edge half-format press with an excellent price-performance ratio was developed. It is tailored the demands of small and mid-sized printing firms. This small Rapida has managed to hold on to its market share against competition from digital systems.
Press configurations with five printing units and an extra coater are popular. Neverthless, eight-colour perfectors for 4/4 production are also not uncommon. Commerical printers are turning more and more to LED-UV even for half-format. The demo center at KBA-Sheetfed Solutions in Radebeul has registered growing interest in the Rapida 75 featuring LED-UV curing with its fast processing times.
Automation solutions, such as automatic plate change, touchscreen operation, automatic format adjustment, densitometric measurement with automatic colour control, washing systems for rollers, blanket and impression cylinders, are becoming increasingly important and are standard features of many of the Rapida 75 presses ordered today. The maximum printing speed is often not a key criteria when it comes to small print runs, nevertheless, the Rapida 75 prints at speeds of up 16,000sph in format 605 x 750mm (23.8 x 29.5in). What is more, it is able to handle a wide range of substrates from 0.04 to 0.8mm. The press offers users the level of flexibility needed in today’s competitive market.
Stanislav Vanicek, KBA CEE