Filion adds that major benefits will be exploited for the firm’s pharmaceutical and food packaging customers. “The new Rapida 106’s QualiTronic color control system ensures that there will be no variation of color on our printed products,” he says. “We print lots of different lots for these customers and we print labels for soups and other canned goods with different skew numbers that look all the same. It is imperative that all of these printed products are not mixed during production but at the same time continues to look alike with no deviation in color from one lot to another. We now have a better control to ensure that with our new press.”

Not only did the press provide automated quality control but it delivered fast makeready as well. The Rapida 106 is equipped with the DriveTronic SIS (Sensoric Infeed System), a totally makeready-free system that knows no setting or sidelay errors, nor does it mark sensitive substrates. Its mode of operation is ingeniously simple: a sensor determines the lateral position of the sheet on the feeder board, and as the sheet approaches the transfer point to the first printing unit the gripper on the transfer drum aligns the sheet with the side position specified at the console. Various automation modules, such as fully automatic plate changers, ErgoTronic ACR video register, DensiTronic Professional ink density control and the LogoTronic management system, ensure maximum productivity.

“Having a press with this much automation and a running speed of 18,000 sph will make a huge difference for us and our customers,” says Filion. “It will make us much more efficient and will enhance our quality and lead time. The majority of our work, both packaging and commercial, will be produced on this press.”

Another determining factor for Netpak was the Rapida’s ability to print on metallic, plastic, and flute substrates. Filion says that the company already printed on thick stock for its packaging customers but wanted to serve additional customers. “The KBA does it; it’s a big advantage,” he says.

From its inception seven years ago, Netpak was designed to provide the packaging and printing industry with a 21st century best-in-class organization. Ever since, Netpak is a truly reliable business partner that embodies the best practices and the highest efficiency standards, from product, to pricing, to service. Netpak is a company that strives to meet customer satisfaction and valued corporate citizenship.

About KBA

KBA North America is located in Dallas, Texas and a member of the KBA Group. Established 194 years ago in Wuerzburg, Germany, Koenig & Bauer AG (KBA), the parent of the KBA group, is the oldest and second largest press manufacturer worldwide. KBA's banner, 'People & Print', reflects its dual focus as a leading innovator for print entrepreneurs. The group's product range is the broadest in the industry; its portfolio includes commercial and newspaper web presses, sheetfed offset presses in all format classes, special presses for books, inserts, banknotes, securities, metal-decorating, smart cards; CDs and DVDs plus inkjet and other coding systems.