KBA retrofits inkjet
systems to newspaper presses
Onset of latest generation of inkjet heads for individual imprints
Almost 18 years ago at drupa 1995, KBA first presented its Express newspaper press with variable imprinting. At that time, using
inkjet heads from Scitex in Dayton/Ohio which the manufacturer later taken over by Kodak and the technology developed further in the meantime. Today, KBA has gained extensive experience with a diversity of applications in variable imprints, the latest being the high-volume mixed variant digital web press RotaJET 76.
Here’s a peek into this new advancement.
RotaJET 76
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Variable imprints boost newspaper’s attractiveness for readers and at the same time offer publishers additional design options. Targeted advertising, regionalisation, reader promotions such as prize draws or even the possibility to update individual news blocks after production begins (for instance, the latest results from elections or football matches) are just a few of the many ways to offer added value in terms of up-to-date information and reader benefit.
As already with the predecessor company Scitex in 1995, KBA offered the latest generation of inkjet imprinting heads in cooperation with Kodak. The imprinting system preferred by Kodak for this purpose (Prosper S30) features a maximum print resolution of 600 x 200 dpi and can imprint variable data at web speeds up to 15 m/sec. Optimum positioning of the print heads in the superstructure, the exact clearance between print heads and paper web, precise setting of web tension and cut-off register are routine tasks for a press manufacturer with the competence of KBA.
Retrofitting older offset presses
Individual inkjet imprints in the offset
newspaper KBA Express at drupa 1995
(red arrow in circle).
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Especially for users of older newspaper presses with low levels of automation and long makeready processes, the retrofitting of an inkjet system brings interesting new possibilities. Many older KBA Journal, Colora, Express and Commander presses are still delivering good print quality in production all over the world. They are nevertheless often unable to keep pace with today’s demands in respect of makeready for ever smaller part editions, and must consequently yield to presses of the latest generation with automatic plate changing and diverse control and software modules for optimised time and waste-saving start-up and run-down.
Easier for regional headlines
Standard variant with one print head.
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With an inkjet imprinting system, additionally, it becomes possible to produce title pages with corresponding regional headlines and content indexes both flexibly and without additional waste. Frequently changing regional sections – in the majority of cases no more than four to six pages in part editions of 1,000 to 10,000 copies – could be printed parallel to the main production on a high-volume inkjet web press such as KBA RotaJET 76.
The mixed variant of KBA RotaJET 76 also holds further potential for other products in short-runs or with a high degree of personalisation. That is not to say, however, that retrofits to older presses are rendered superfluous by the new options. At the end of the day, it is the individual product and production structure which counts – and a well-founded economic feasibility study to determine the most meaningful investment variant. KBA supports users in this respect with corresponding analyses.
Retrofit without disturbance
KBA integrates the Kodak inkjet system into the press superstructure with a camera for register control and a motor-adjusted crossbeam for exact positioning of the printhead unit relative to the paper web. The crossbeam can also be fitted with several printheads and camera systems to cater for higher web speeds or higher resolutions.
In the next few weeks, Koenig & Bauer will be installing eleven Kodak Prosper inkjet systems on KBA presses used by contract printers of the Axel Springer Group at seven locations in Germany. The retrofits are to be completed without disturbing daily production to any mentionable degree. The KBA technicians are also able to retrofit inkjet systems to newspaper and commercial web presses from other manufacturers as well.
