KBA North America, a leading supplier of sheetfed offset and digital presses based in Williston, VT, has announced that CARTONDRUCK USA Inc., a high-quality packaging printer located in Fairview, NJ, has extended its capacity and scope by installing a new KBA Rapida 105 41-inch eleven-unit, nine-color sheetfed press with double varnishing units. The press was installed in the fall of 2005. CARTONDRUCK purchased the KBA press to increase its production capacity and offer new layout and finishing capabilities to its premium packaging customers. Designed with the unique specifications demanded by CARTONDRUCK and its customers, the fully-automated KBA Rapida 105 press features: - eight printing units followed by - two varnish units followed by - one additional printing unit followed by a double delivery extension The press is mounted on a plinth to increase pile capacity. A full interdeck UV system provides the firm with fast drying and the ability to use hybrid UV inks. Automated features include semi-automatic plate changing, automated pile logistics at the feeder, and a non-stop roller plus air-cleaning system at the delivery. CARTONDRUCK is using the press to carve out a bigger share of the US market by offering more unusual finishing options. For example, the ninth printing unit that follows the dryer can be used to apply a fine matte coating or an additional color to the coated sheets. Densitronic S – controls density and spectral parameters directly on the image The new press built for CARTONDRUCK also includes KBA’s Densitronic S combined density and color measuring system for quality control both during and after printing. Deviations from defined target densities, color values and other quality parameters (dot gain, trapping, etc.) are recognized and displayed not only reliably, but also very quickly in comparison to hand-held measuring devices. With integration for online control, the density and spectral deviations are converted into corrective adjustments for the individual ink keys based on pressman´s approval. The Densitronic S controls the density and spectral parameters of each sheet by measuring along control strips or directly on the image. The Rapida 105 press for CARTONDRUCK is also equipped with a pallet and pile logistics system for non-stop feeding and delivering of coated stocks. Unrivalled technical press properties “By installing a new KBA nine-color press with two varnish units at our US facility in Fairview, CARTONDRUCK is extending its capacity and scope of performance for the key US market,” says Arndt Schuchardt, vice president of sales for CARTONDRUCK USA. “All customers of the premium folding box packaging brand worldwide will benefit from this addition, in the form of enhanced inline finishing options and higher quality and efficiency. The press' technical properties are unrivalled in the whole of North America. To enable customers to obtain maximum advantage from the technology, the Fairview, NJ plant is linked online with the development center in Obersulm, in the South of Germany. All of the parent company's expertise and development potential are thus available in the USA as well.” “This unique one-of-a-kind press is designed specifically for CARTONDRUCK, its high-end, high-quality production, and its demanding clientele,” says Ed Heffernan, KBA’s district sales manager. “The press was designed for the unique needs of CARTONDRUCK and will help this premium worldwide packaging firm continue its growth in this competitive market.”