Rapida 76 for high-end print in B2 format launched

A new generation of the Rapida 76 from Koenig & Bauer has just been released onto the market. The B2 press (standard sheet format 530x750-mm; special format 605x750-mm) impresses with its extraordinary level of automation, a minimal footprint and peak printing speeds of up to 18,000-sheets per hour. Boasting a fully revamped and particularly aesthetic appearance, it also stands out visually from its predecessors, and presents itself in the new, award-winning Koenig & Bauer design.

14 Sep 2020 | By Rahul Kumar

With a printing output of up to 18,000 sheets per hour, the Rapida 76 is built for speed

New and proven automation functions characterise the Rapida 76 as an efficient, high-performance sheetfed offset press. Key features are the DriveTronic dedicated drive components, which eliminate complicated gear systems and provide for both simple handling and parallel processes during job changeovers and makeready. The full preset capabilities of all press components are a further valuable benefit. In addition to the ErgoTronic console with wallscreen, the Rapida 76 possesses further decentralised touchscreens for maximum ease of operation. For users who are at home in the B2 format class, the Rapida 76 is an ideal means of production.

To cater for as many different applications as possible, up to 11 printing and finishing units can be combined to configure a Rapida 76 which is tailored precisely to individual production needs. That could mean a ten-colour press with an automatically convertible perfecting unit for 5-over-5 production – possibly together with an additional coating tower to allow the printing of covers, for example – or packaging presses with double-coating facilities for the production of pharmaceutical packaging and the like. Further variants incorporate raised foundations to accommodate higher piles with board substrates, or various delivery extensions for coating applications. Ink duct dividers can also be chosen to enable rainbow printing. Thanks to a comprehensive range of measuring systems and optional facilities for inline sheet inspection, the Rapida 76 is ideally prepared for a diversity of special applications, including even the production of security documents.

The half-format press is no less flexible when it comes to compatibility with different ink and coating systems. It handles both conventional and UV inks and coatings with equal ease. Beside IR/hot-air drying systems, various UV, HR-UV and LED-UV systems are also available.

The Rapida 76 offers further special features which benefit users in their daily work but are still far from commonplace in this format class: as on all Rapida presses, inking units which are not required for a particular job can be disengaged from the press drive. This reduces roller wear and cuts make-ready times. When production is to be resumed, the units concerned are re-engaged at the press of a button.

The ColorTronic ink ducts, with the bleed-free ink metering which is typical of all Rapidas, guarantee high repeat accuracy. This is achieved with individual ink keys and a special mechanical design which ensures that they are always set to the duct roller with an identical force. With this system, ink duct foils are rendered superfluous. Thanks to the EasyClean duct plate coating, extremely fast ink changes are possible nonetheless.

With simultaneous plate changing, all the plates on the Rapida 76 can be changed in just 45 seconds. In combination with CleanTronic Synchro, the blankets and impression cylinders – and optionally also the ink rollers – can be washed parallel to plate changing. This shortens make-ready times dramatically and leaves much more time for actual production. The same applies to automated coating forme changes.