Insights: Articles & Resources by Oliver Inc.
Koenig & Bauer Rapida 145 Press Boosts Production Capabilities & Elevates Brands
This article at a glance:
- Cutting-Edge Technology for Precision & Quality: The Koenig & Bauer Rapida 145 57-inch seven-color press boasts advanced features including optical registration systems, automated plate-changing mechanisms, and inline quality control—ensuring high-precision printing with excellent color alignment and clarity.
- Versatility for Diverse Projects: This sophisticated press is suitable for a wide range of printing and packaging applications, owing to its large format, seven-color configuration, substrate flexibility, quick changeovers, and inline finishing options.
- Increased Productivity & Efficiency: The Rapida 145 significantly boosts productivity, with high running speeds, automation, and efficient job changeovers.
- Advanced Automation & Innovation: Incorporating the latest printing technologies, the Rapida 145 reduces makeready times, achieves high production speeds, and features systems such as CleanTronic Synchro and DriveTronic PlateIdent.
A printing and packaging manufacturer is only as good as the equipment behind its award-winning designs and meticulous project planning. It’s therefore important for brands evaluating a partnership with a custom packaging supplier to identify its printing presses.
Disrupting the printing industry, the Rapida 145 is a powerhouse of automation and efficiency, and a key press utilized by Oliver, the nation’s largest independent custom packaging supplier.
Continue reading to learn about its many advantages and why so many printing and packaging manufacturers are stocking their facilities with them.
Achieves High-Precision Printing That Sharpens Images & Enhances Color Alignment
The Koenig & Bauer Rapida 145 57-inch seven-color press is a marvel of modern printing technology, delivering unparalleled precision in large-format production.
At its core, a suite of cutting-edge features works in harmony to ensure flawless results.
From its state-of-the-art optical registration systems to automated plate-changing mechanism, every detail is engineered for perfection. Inline quality control constantly monitors output, while the press's robust construction provides a stable foundation for consistent excellence.
Climate control and advanced ink management systems fine-tune every aspect of the printing process, delivering breathtaking color accuracy and clarity.
Driven by powerful servo motors and orchestrated by sophisticated software, the Rapida 145 represents the pinnacle of printing precision.
It's not just a press; it's an accuracy instrument that turns your vision into reality with stunning fidelity. Its seven-color capability accommodates an expanded color gamut, producing richer and more nuanced prints. The press's large 57-inch format, coupled with high-resolution imaging systems, enables the reproduction of intricate details.
Advanced registration systems ensure perfect alignment of colors, while automated controls maintain consistent ink density and color balance throughout the print run. Its robust construction minimizes vibrations—and sharpens your prints.
Additionally, inline quality control systems continuously monitor and adjust print parameters in real time, ensuring high quality, every time.
Tackles a Remarkable Range of Printing & Packaging Projects
Industry-leading manufacturers purchase the Koenig & Bauer Rapida 145 57-inch seven-color press because of its premium visual production and remarkable versatility.
It’s a valuable asset for a wide range of printing applications. This stems from several key features:
- Large Format: The 57-inch width facilitates printing on various sheet sizes, accommodating everything from printed marketing collateral to folding cartons.
- Seven-Color Configuration: This enables both traditional four-color process printing and additional spot colors or special inks for expanded color gamuts or unique finishes.
- Substrate Flexibility: The press can handle a wide range of materials, from thin paperboard to heavier cardboard and even some plastics, making it suitable for commercial printing, publishing, and packaging. You can deploy renewable paperboard and other green alternatives, as well.
- Quick Changeovers: Automated systems for plate changing and press setup make for efficient transitions between jobs.
- Inline Finishing Options: Many configurations offer coating units, perfecting, and other finishing options. You can complete so many types of products with a single press run.
- Digital Integration: As a digital press, the Rapida 145 integrates well with cutting-edge workflows. This enables variable data printing and seamless hybrid production.
- Speed & Efficiency: High running speeds and automation make the press suitable for both short runs and high-volume production.
Dramatically Increases Productivity & Printing Capacity
The Koenig & Bauer Rapida 145 57-inch seven-color press is celebrated for streamlining the production process and dramatically boosting productivity.
Oliver Inc. increased printing capacity at its 135,000-square-foot Hauppauge facility on Long Island, New York by more than 20 percent since adding the Rapida 145 in 2020. The press has more than doubled throughput, and contributed to significant profitability and growth into new market segments.
This is part of why Oliver has maintained a long-standing relationship with Koenig & Bauer. Its New York facility alone has utilized nine Koenig & Bauer presses throughout the years.
The Rapida 145 maximizes productivity without compromising quality—translating to faster turnaround times for clients.
Even when there’s a packaging material shortage or rising costs due to supply chain issues, print quality exceeds expectations. Such benefits are amplified further when partnering with a domestic printing and packaging supplier.
Pushes the Boundaries of Printing Technology
Automation is helping large-format print runs catch up to standard times common to modern, medium-format presses, as long as your printing and packaging partner utilizes a press such as the Koenig & Bauer Rapida 145 57-inch seven-color press.
Geared to reduce makeready times, this pioneering press reaches high production speeds of up to 18,000 sheets per hour. Plus, its inline measurement and control systems deliver steady and top-notch print quality.
The Rapida 145 incorporates the latest printing innovations, offering customers access to state-of-the-art printing capabilities. This includes:
- Individual makeready steps facilitate a mostly automated simultaneous job changeover process. For example, washing runs alongside plate and coating form changes.
- Its CleanTronic Synchro features two separate washing beams, so manufacturers can wash cylinders and blankets simultaneously—shortening print times for orders demanding faster turnarounds.
- The ability to simultaneously change plates in all units dramatically reduces print run times, as well.
- The DriveTronic PlateIdent ensures plates are always in the correct position, guaranteeing accurate printing.
- Its AniSleeve system makes roller replacement significantly easier. A single person can handle the entire process. This frees up packaging supplier staff to focus more attention on client needs.
- Its QualiTronic PDF high-resolution sheet inspection system is a must for all printers producing food or pharmaceutical products with FDA panels—monitoring every sheet for potential errors and immediately notifying press operators. This saves time, money, and resources, while ensuring high-quality, precision printing.
Collaborating With a Domestic Printing & Packaging Partner
Partnering with a domestic packaging supplier powered by cutting-edge technology helps ensure all your brand’s custom packaging requirements are met with fast turnaround times.
You won’t have to sacrifice quality for speed, either.
Oliver Inc. deploys the Koenig & Bauer Rapida 145 57-inch seven-color press in addition to the Heidelberg Speedmaster Press to achieve unrivaled visual designs on short deadlines. You’ll also benefit from an array of substrate options, including renewable alternatives and responsibly sourced paperboard.
Oliver’s experts specialize in enhancing your brand’s durable folding cartons with the trendiest decorative effects, including foil stamping, debossing/embossing, spot UV printing, and specialty laminates and coatings.
Plus, with multiple facilities across the United States, you’ll enjoy the advantages of working with a partner you can visit should you want to check in on your project, or just stop by to say hello.
