KBA North America, a leading sheetfed offset press manufacturer based in Williston, VT, will be unveiling its new version of its popular Rapida 105 41-inch sheetfed press at Graph Expo/Converting Expo 2004 in Chicago in early October. After a strong introduction at Drupa amid much praise for the new design, KBA North America is eagerly anticipating the debut of its new ergonomically sophisticated press to the North American paper, board, and plastic market.The press at the show will be a six-color configuration with aqueous coating system. Rapida 105 increases productivity by more than 20%  Taking the proven successful design of the Rapida 105, engineers at KBA have expanded its capabilities to include a faster running speed of an astounding 18,000 sph, well above any of its competitors, new and significantly improved engineering components, control functions and operating features. These innovations help KBA printers to increase productivity by over 20% due to faster running speeds and shorter makeready times, differentiate themselves from their competition, boost their productivity, and successfully move into new markets. New enhancements on the Rapida 105 include: - A new extended functionality to control sheet infeed at the control console - A motor-driven shaftless feeder - An optional sidelay-free infeed - Print stock from 60 lb paper to 48 pt. board - Other innovative options include the new cutting-edge Qualitronic II inline sheet inspection system; video register, Densitronic closed loop color control, and ink-temperature control for optimum print quality   Innovation of its own: Qualitronic II Launched at Drupa 2004, the new Qualitronic II inline sheet inspection system cuts waste and flags imperfect sheets. The system utilizes a color camera that is mounted near the delivery area and aimed at the impression cylinder through a narrow slit in the floor plate. During the press run, each printed sheet is scanned at ultra-high resolution. Within this ultra-high resolution, the system can detect even the slightest color deviation, distinguishing over 16 million colors. In addition to segregating imperfect sheets from the run, the Qualitronic II system reduces waste by warning the operator of deviations in the press run, such as fading colors due to lack of ink. The operator is able to react before large quantities of waste sheets accumulate unnecessary costs. To link the new Rapida 105 via JDF or CIP4 or directly to a printer’s management software and company servers, KBA’s Logotronic Professional production management system incorporates JDF workflow for prepress and post-press areas. Improved user interface To reduce makeready times, the operator is offered clear menu screens on the control console with access to - Gripper margin settings (positioning of the image relative to the front edge of the sheet) - Skew corrections (e.g. in response to poorly cut sheets) - Individual front lay adjustment (where the sheet edge is not straight) - Front lay cover height settings (for matching to the individual substrate thickness) Optical sensors monitor the alignment of the sheet at the infeed. Double sheets are detected by an ultrasonic sensor system. For special substrates, such as plastics or corrugated board, KBA offers an optional capacitive detector as well. “We redesigned the Rapida 105 press with a nod toward future needs, not present reality,” says Ralf Sammeck, KBA North America’s President and CEO. “Our primary goal was to translate the creativity of KBA designers into tangible benefits for our users to stay ahead of their competition. Printers at Drupa told us that we have succeeded.”  KBA North America is a leading supplier of sheetfed offset and digital presses located in Williston, VT. It is a member of the KBA Group, a leader in the manufacture of sheetfed offset, digital offset, web offset, rotogravure directory, security, and newspaper presses.   Please find a downloadable version of this PR including photos at: http://www.kba-print.de/vt/headlines/sheetfed3/2004_09_10_.html