The installation of a highly automated eight-colour medium-format Rapida 106 has begun at Hofmann Infocom in Nuremberg. This is the first medium format sheetfed 4-over-4 perfector in Germany to feature LED-UV curing technology before and after perfecting.

Additionally, the press is equipped with a coater after the printing units and a RS 106 reel-to-sheet unit. LED drying permits the immediate post-press of sheets which have been printed on both sides and finished inline. A new era of sheetfed printing begins for the traditional media service provider based in Nuremberg with this high-tech Rapida. The new press is expected to print predominantly high-quality magazines, catalogues and covers.

Along with considerable energy savings and short lead times, LED-UV offers benefits even when handling uncoated stock. The absorption of the ink is prevented by immediate curing and the resultant image remains especially brilliant. The 21.8-metre long (71.5ft) and 80-tonne Rapida 106 with a high-speed package has a maximum output of up to 18,000sph in perfecting. Kit for UV mixed operation facilitates a broad range of finishing, e.g. various matt-gloss effects. DriveTronic systems with individual drives span from the feeder via the SIS feeder to simultaneous plate changing throughout the entire press and keep makeready times when changing jobs to a minimum. Sheet inspection of the front and back as well as inline colour density measurement with QualiTronic Professional ensure that the quality of every sheet is monitored. Furthermore, LogoTronic Professional production management software and an interface to Hofmann Infocom’s MIS are available.

Founded as a traditional company in 1908 it has traded under the name Hofmann Infocom since 2001. The media service provider, now in the fourth generation of family ownership, realigned itself as an integration and service partner as well as a creative provider of ideas specialising in the correct implementation of means of communication. Today companies belonging to the group include hofmann druck, hofmann media, a media company, a publishing house founded in 1971 and a lettershop. The printshop is a fully integrated web and sheetfed operation with high-performance post-press equipment for magazines and catalogues.

By the beginning of the 1990s the company had implemented press technology from KBA once. Now with the new Rapida 106 the media service provider’s sheetfed department can expect a huge technological leap forward in terms of development. The new press is expected to be fired up while the famous Christkindlesmarkt Christmas market is on in Nuremberg.