Slovakian book printer installs large-format perfector press

Book printer Neografia from Martin/Slovakia recently took delivery of an eight-colour Rapida 145 in a configuration for 4-over-4 perfecting. After comprehensive testing, the newly installed press was officially handed over on 1st June at a ceremony attended by representatives and shareholders of Neografia, as well further professionals from the regional printing industry and representatives of KBA CEE.  

Modern technologies for the B0 format

The Rapida 145, with its production speeds of up to 18,000 sph in straight mode and up to 15,000 sph in perfecting, is the most modern sheetfed offset press in its format class. The eight-colour perfector version chosen by Neografia handles sheets up to a size of 1,060 x 1,450 mm – which adds up to 32 A4 pages printed in full colour on both sides on a single pass through the press. When working with very thin papers, the maximum output is 13,000 sph. These figures equate to almost 10 million A4 pages per day.

In times of every shorter production runs and growing publication diversity, however, the high production speed was not the only factor in the investment decision. Even greater importance was attached to the automation of job changeovers and shorter makeready times. With the simultaneous plate changing system DriveTronic SPC – a feature still unique in this format class – all eight plates on the Rapida 145 can be changed in just 1:20 minutes. This even happens parallel to washing of the blankets and impression cylinders with CleanTronic Synchro. PlateIdent reads data matrix codes on the plates to check the correct assignment to the individual printing units and also initiates necessary register adjustments before actual printing begins. At the same time, full presetting of the production parameters on the press (format and sheet thickness, feeder air settings, sheet guiding elements, inking, delivery sheet brake and many more) is accomplished via LogoTronic Professional.  

When a new job begins, the combination of colour measurement with QualiTronic ColorControl and automatic register control with ErgoTronic ACR ensures that start-up waste is kept to a minimum. The sidelay-free infeed DriveTronic SIS, together with contact-free sheet guiding and the proven KBA perfecting unit, provides for stable production over the whole length of a run.  

In the print business for 150 years

Neografia is one of the oldest and largest print companies in Central and Eastern Europe, and can look back over a 150-year history. The focus of its production is placed on books in all variations. Both sheetfed and web presses are in use. Neografia exports a large proportion of its production to more than 15 European countries, and many leading international publishers are to be found on its list of customers.

Performance demands exceeded from the very beginning

Following up a move to new production facilities in 2013, a further significant investment in efficient printing technology was seen as an imperative response to continued transformation of the book market. The new Rapida 145 has lent a considerable boost to both capacity and flexibility in the production department, and has greatly accelerated throughput times. Neografia has in this way further strengthened its position as a major player on the European print market. During the official inauguration ceremony, the company management reported that the Rapida 145 had already exceeded the targeted performance parameters during the first months of operation. Hynek Greben, director of sales and service at KBA CEE, sees this as confirmation that KBA is not only a technology leader in the packaging segment, but equally a strong partner for all commercial and publication printers.