Not only manning and paper but noise and 20 per cent of energy consumed will be reduced by two new KBA Commander CL presses to be installed at Westfalen-Blatt in Bielefeld, Germany.
The double-width 32pp presses – configured as a line of four towers with two folders – are central to a $35 million investment in plant and equipment at a new site in suburban Sennestadt.
The old-established newspaper group has a daily circulation of 120,000 copies and 27 local editions. Managing partner Michael Best says new production capabilities including full colour throughout, will enhance the appeal of the newspapers and enable the publisher to offer advertisers new design options, while its higher output will allow the inclusion of late-breaking news.
Print production managing director Thilo Grickschatsays the environment will also benefit: “The new Commander CL will run up to saleable colour faster, generate less waste and thus reduce paper consumption.
“Heat insulation and recovery will cut energy consumption at the new plant by 20 per cent compared to the existing plant, and noise insulation will be much better.”
The Rhine-format pressline will have a 510 mm cut-off and a maximum reel width of 1400 mm. Adjustments to the circumference can be actuated at the reelstand for the wide range of page counts that have become routine. Four reelstands will be supplied by a Patras A automated logistics system with stripping station. The four towers will feature partially automated plate changers with the option of upgrading to fully automated. Automatic roller locks, blanket- and inking-unit washing systems, ink-pumping systems, colour-register controls, web-edge and web-centre controls document the press’s high level of automation and quality.
Four turner bar assemblies, two folder superstructures with two formers, two KBA KF5 jaw folders, cut-off register controls and half-cover web leads will further enhance production flexibility. The press will also boast a double-out (duplicate) production capability, whereby the web is slit down the centre and delivered via both the folders. Provision has been made to add saddle stitchers and gluing units for four-page centre spreads at a later date.
Three ErgoTronic consoles will incorporate software for automatic start-up and faster, automated run-down, with the system embedded in a PressNet production planning and preset system with designated proofing.
Pictured: Automatic reel loading and reelstands at right angles to the press towers