KBA North America announces that it is demonstrating three new quality control inline marking and coding systems at Drupa 2012 scheduled for May 3-16 in Düsseldorf, Germany. KBA, which is describing this year’s exhibition theme as “Sprinting Ahead”, has booked a large 37,700ft² stand in Hall 16, Stand C47 as the showcase for its many new developments for sheetfed, digital and web offset printers.

Two of the inline marking systems are designated for quality control and are centered around the KBA QualiTronic system, a camera-based inline sheet inspection system that scans each sheet as it enters the delivery or perfecting unit and compares it with a reference sheet. Capable of working at maximum press speed, QualiTronic features in a large number of medium- and large-format presses, particularly packaging presses. The two new inline marking systems are the QualiTronic Mark for sheet marking and QualiTronic Mark Plus for individual blank marking.

QualiTronic Mark identifies off-specified sheets and allows those sheets to be subsequently ejected automatically in die-stamping or folding machines, provided they have the relevant capability.

QualiTronic Mark Plus, an inline sheet identification system, provides inline marking of defective copies within the printing press with inkjet after the sheet has been inspected within the press by KBA QualiTronic. Flawed blanks can then be ejected automatically during downstream processing, e.g. in the folder gluer. QualiTronic Mark Plus works in conjunction with alphaJET tempo providing 100% verification and quality control. The system is able to run at full press speed. QualiTronic Mark Plus provides automatic removal of marked copies within the folder gluer needs. KBA will showcase the new KBA QualiTronic Mark Plus inline sheet single marking system and inline color control on the RAPIDA 75E.

At Drupa, KBA will debut its new Rapida 105 41-inch hybrid offset/inkjet press featuring the new KBA QualiTronic Mark ID inline coding system. The press will feature five offset printing units and coater tower joined by an inkjet unit with two Delta 105iUV printing systems from Atlantic Zeiser for personalized imprinting and coding applications. Due to the AirTronic Drum innovative vacuum cylinder to fix the sheets under the inkjet heads, the KBA Rapida 105 and 106 are currently the only presses on the market to provide this option without the need for mechanical sheet guides and print-free corridors. The unique solution prevents lifting of the tail edges and enables the inkjet systems to be installed at a clearance of only 0.04 inches from the sheet. UV-LED dryers provide for fast drying of the ink. The QualiTronic Mark ID system provides many potential applications for inkjet systems in a sheetfed printing press. They range from sheet marking in connection with quality inspection using the alphaJET-tempo printer from KBA-Metronic to codings for purposes of brand protection (barcodes, QR codes, numerical IDs or combinations thereof). Relevant fields are security printing, packaging, labels, lottery tickets and industrial product marking. Up to eight inkjet heads from Atlantic Zeiser can be accommodated in a printing unit of the Rapida 105 or 106 press. The high-speed greyscale printer is equally suitable for coated, laminated, glossy and non-absorbent materials. A mini controller takes care of system handling in marking, inspection and quality assurance processes.

KBA North America is located in Dallas, Texas and a member of the KBA Group. Established almost 200 years ago in Wuerzburg, Germany, Koenig & Bauer AG (KBA) is the oldest and second largest press manufacturer worldwide. KBA's banner, 'People & Print', reflects its dual focus as a leading innovator for print entrepreneurs. The group's product range is the broadest in the industry; its portfolio includes commercial and newspaper web presses, sheetfed offset presses in all format classes, inkjet systems and presses, special presses for banknotes, securities, metal-decorating, smart cards and discs. For more information visit the company's web site at www.kba.com.