KBA-FT Engineering, based in Frankenthal/Pfalz and member of the Koenig & Bauer Group, has given a 26-year-old gravure press belonging to European gravure printing giant Prinovis a new lease of life.

The electrical control system of the press, which is in operation at the firm’s site in Ahrensburg, Germany, was brought into line with cutting-edge technology. The retrofit was carried out within a short period of time to the firm’s satisfaction and means that this old, yet mechanically fully functional press is now fit for the future.

Prinovis ordered retrofits on two large gravure presses from KBA-FT Engineering some time ago. The first press went into operation again at the end of March. Along with updating the second press’ electrical control system, provision is made for extensive mechanical add-ons, whereby the assembly work is scheduled to begin soon. In the current market environment such retrofits pay off since the continued high level of availability of robust presses is guaranteed at a fraction of the cost of a new press.

The retrofit carried out comprises the replacement of several control components from the previous vendor, EAE, with the latest technology from Siemens. The existing wiring could be kept thanks to a Plug & Play architecture developed specially for the interfaces affected thus reducing the installation time at the reelstands, printing units, superstructure, folders and switchboards to a few weeks. Numerous servo-assisted drives were also exchanged including the corresponding controls as well as the complete control level.
KBA-FT Engineering’s broad expertise in gravure has already been proven with other orders in the growing business for retrofits. Recently a gravure reelstand with Reliance controls and drives was rebuilt with Siemens technology in Thann, France. In the near future the firm will carry out an extensive upgrade on a press console close to Paris, which comprises the implementation of cutting-edge devices from HMI. The specially designed retrofit concept will facilitate the work of the client and deliver precise information about the status of the machines.

KBA-FT Engineering has the know-how and the best references to perform retrofit and upgrades in the field of electronics and mechanics on older gravure presses competently and reliably, regardless whether the components are from Siemens, Bosch-Rexroth, ABB, Wago or other well-known electronic manufacturers.