January 12, 2004 -- KBA has released details of yet another new product it will roll out at Drupa 2004: a 70,000cph high-automation commercial web press, the Compacta 217. The new press will target the high end of the 16pp market and complement the 1997-vintage Compacta 215 – the world’s first shaftless commercial press – which has carved out a sizeable share of the mid-range performance market. The Compacta 217 was engineered to address a groundswell shift in market orientation as players gear up to face emerging challenges. With run lengths rapidly diminishing, demand is growing for a higher level of automation to ease handling, cut waste, reduce makeready and changeover times, afford easier access to subassemblies and enhance press capabilities, reliability and cost-efficiency. A superior printing and folding quality is taken as read. The Compacta 217’s next-generation technology is flagged optically with a striking new design and clear, dynamic lines. This clarity is mirrored at the console, with its concise, ergonomic control system. Proven strengths, intelligent innovations A high output of 70,000 copies per hour and high-speed changeovers make the Compacta 217 an ideal tool both for long runs and rush jobs of short runs. A cut-off variable from 546 to 630mm (21½” - 24¾”) supports all the most popular formats. Many of the proven features incorporated in the Compacta 215 have been adopted and optimised for the Compacta 217. These include shaftless drives, quick-change perfecting imprinting via a fifth standard printing unit, distributed intelligent controls at subassembly level and minigaps on the plate and blanket cylinders. The Easytronic automatic press preset system and Logotronic production management system feature additional modules and options to streamline job handling and support JDF-based digital networking, the shape of things to come in the commercial sector. Unique features The Compacta 217 boasts some unique features, including: - choice of automatic or semi-automatic plate change, with semi-automatic upgradable to automatic; - convertible inking and dampening units; - quick-set doctor blades for narrow webs; - optimised, easy-access superstructure; - choice of gripper or pin folder; - automatic adjustment of folder timing and positional correction of cocked copies in the quarterfold; - automatic web tension control with KBA Webtronic; - maximum stock weight of 250gsm (94# cover); - maximum web width of 1,000mm (39½”). For the first time, printers are free to chose the type of folder they wish to install. The dual quarterfold system safeguards production at high speeds and in nonstop operation. Live Demos in Düsseldorf The Compacta 217 on the KBA stand in hall 16 at Drupa will be embedded in a JDF workflow and will demonstrate imprint changes at maximum production speed, feeding to a Müller Martini finishing line.