Koenig & Bauer Sets Productivity Benchmarks in Commercial Printing with Rapida 106 X: Koenig & Bauer

Fully automated printing of a job sequence with AutoRun for maximum efficiency
Production speeds of up to 22,000 sheets/h and up to 20,000 sheets/h in perfecting mode for the highest output
Simultaneous plate changes with DriveTronic SPC and fully automated plate logistics minimise job changeover times
Inline quality monitoring, LED-UV technology, and FlyingJobChange ensure excellent print results

The simultaneous printing plate change DriveTronic SPC has been part of the unofficial standard on commercial presses for perfecting printing for many years. It offers the shortest plate changing times, making the production of small runs cost-effective
© Koenig & Bauer

In the highly dynamic environment of industrial commercial printing, the ability to produce and deliver a wide variety of print media in the shortest possible time is crucial to the business success of every company. With the Rapida 106 X, Koenig & Bauer offers a sheetfed offset press that more than meets these demands, setting benchmarks in terms of productivity and quality thanks to autonomous processes and pioneering automation. This enables printing companies to boost their productivity and significantly increase the production of saleable sheets.

A typical commercial press: The Rapida 106 X with eight printing units and perfecting for 4 over 4 production produces at speeds of up to 20,000 sheets/h even in perfecting mode
© Koenig & Bauer

Maximum productivity and autonomous processes

The Rapida 106 X is designed as a high-performance press – for production speeds of up to 22,000 sheets/h. Commercial presses also achieve up to 20,000 sheets/h in perfecting mode. This performance delivers a high output of saleable net sheets per unit of time.

Through its ability to print autonomously, the Rapida 106 X optimises the workflow and sets standards in commercial printing. With AutoRun, the press starts a sequence of print jobs completely autonomously, automatically activates the good sheet counter, stops after the desired number of sheets has been reached, and then changes over to the next job fully automatically. Thanks to this exceptional degree of automation, manual interventions can be reduced to a minimum, and efficiency can be maximised.

DriveTronic SIS: The sidelay-free infeed provides enough time for the exact positioning of the sheets at the infeed, especially at high production speeds
© Koenig & Bauer

Minimal makeready times, maximum flexibility

To meet the daily demand for fast job changes, the Rapida 106 X integrates innovative solutions for makeready time optimisation. This begins with fully automated printing plate logistics. This automates the plate transport from a plate trolley or directly from the plate setter into the changing shafts of the printing units, as well as from the printing units to a central plate storage area. This saves on personnel and immensely accelerates the job changeover. An important side effect is that all printing plates are precisely positioned in the changing shafts, which optimises the plate change.

Especially with small runs and high printing speeds, a single person can only manage the printing plate change on an eight-colour Rapida 106 X for a very short time. This is where plate logistics helps, as a new print job can be started roughly every three minutes, and during this time, all plates are safely provided and changed.

DriveTronic SPC enables simultaneous printing plate changing parallel to other makeready processes, which reduces job changeover times to a minimum. In addition, the FlyingJobChange function offers the possibility for version and language changes 'on the fly', which provides unmatched flexibility during ongoing production. Process-optimised washing functions, such as PrintClean, can also replace blanket washing for small runs and further increase machine availability.

Excellent print quality and smart operation

The Rapida 106 X delivers excellent print quality through market-leading control systems. An automatic paper stretch compensation ensures exact register across the entire sheet, while inline quality monitoring – including comparison with the prepress PDF and inline grey balance control – allows for continuous checking and optimisation of the print results.

The integration of LED-UV technology not only ensures immediate postpress but also the highest colour brilliance, even on demanding substrates such as uncoated papers. The same applies to UV coating – for example, in cover production.

This is complemented by the LiveApp family, which intuitively supports machine operation and warehouse management. A high level of operating convenience is also achieved through an intelligent control console concept with a clear user interface. Additional relief is provided by a central substrate database, which automatically transmits all machine setting data to the individual machine components.

High diversity of features for different market requirements

In terms of features and configuration, the Rapida 106 X also offers maximum flexibility. This includes extensive options for inline finishing. With a perforating unit, as known from the CutPRO X 106, postcard tear-offs, competitions, vouchers, and similar items can also be produced inline, which is particularly interesting for manufacturers of mailing products. Thanks to the reel sheeter, cheaper reel stock can also be processed – with further productivity advantages such as more stable production in thin printing or reduced downtime due to the higher amount of printing material on the roll compared to pallet stock.

With its extraordinary performance and productivity parameters, the Rapida 106 X is the ideal, future-oriented production tool in industrial commercial printing but also in many other applications, from label and folding carton production to demanding specialities.

Martin Dänhardt

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