Whoever said size doesn’t matter obviously doesn’t work in print. With all the major manufacturers now competing to offer large- and very-large-format presses, there is more choice than ever. KBA is the dominant firm when it comes to super-sized presses, with the largest of its large-format (LF) range being the Rapida 162 series.
Launched at Drupa 1995, the 162 has been successful in book manufacture, map and poster printing, packaging and point-of-sale production. KBA has sold more than 350 of the presses worldwide and there is a keen demand for them on the secondhand market. In 2002, the first large-format perfecting press was launched, the 162a eight-colour perfecter. At Drupa 2004, KBA then extended into the very-large-format (VLF) market with its 185 and 205.
KBA UK managing director Christian Knapp says: “KBA has established a reputation for good net production output, easy handling and cost efficiency. Our presses also have an unrivalled substrate flexibility with speedy transfer from paper to board.”
With the 162 and the rest of KBA’s LF range, KBA has attempted to close the gap between the large- and medium-sized format machine. “Commercial, packaging and book printers are now all exploring the benefits of LF and printing 32pp, 48pp or more when previously 16pp had to suffice on a B1 press,” explains Knapp. “With KBA LF presses, twice the number of pages can go through in one pass. In addition, there are floor-space benefits when compared to two smaller presses and this also saves in manning costs.”
The 162 has also found popularity among folding carton printers that can now print five or six colours with perfecting after the first or second unit. This allows single pass printing for items such as blister packs with product instructions that need printing on the reverse.
Speed and substrates
The Rapida 162 prints straight at 13,000sph and 9,000sph when perfecting. The slightly larger 162a will do 12,000sph, but also has a perfecting speed of 9,000sph. A large range of substrates can be handled by the 162, anywhere from 60 to 500gsm. A new KBA Rapida 162a five-colour plus coater will set you back around £2m to £2.2m depending on specification.
Semi-automatic plate changing comes as standard and there is a variety of options in terms of pile logistics, digital workflow and online quality control systems. “This allows the press to be truly tailored to the printer’s individual needs,” Knapp says.
Although there are dealers who sell Rapida 162s secondhand, most used presses will go through KBA itself. KBA UK executive sales director Mark Nixon says: “I am asked for used 162 machines regularly, particularly UV versions. Each one I get, I could sell five times over, they are very hard to get hold of.” Nixon adds that their popularity stems from the fact they can be used for a large variety of products including glossy coffee table books, display, plastics and billboards.
Lasting value
LF presses are harder to come by than an average B1 press simply because they are less in circulation. This, however, means that the LF machines hold onto their residual value to a greater degree. “A typical Rapida 162 will retain 50% of its value after five years and will not decrease much after that,” Nixon explains.
“We have seen these presses running very well on up to 50m impressions a year,” Nixon says. However, a lot of the used models that do come available will not have been used for such high volumes and will have annual impression counts closer to 5m.” This again keeps the residual value of the press high.
A five-colour Rapida with coater and perfecter can be used for niche jobs. “Many screen printers have bought the 162 secondhand as well as large-format printers who want it as a back-up or even a front-line press,” says Nixon. KBA offers a six-month warranty on its used models and a 2001 162 five-colour with coater will be around £1m.
SPECIFICATIONS
Max sheet size
• 162: 1,120x1,620mm
• 162a: 1,200x1,620mm
Min sheet size
• 1,110x1,620mm
Substrate
• 60-500gsm
Speed
• 162: 13,000sph straight 9,000sph perfecting
• 162a: 12,000sph straight 9,000sph perfecting
Price
• New 162 five-colour with coater: £2m-£2.2m
• Used: 2001 162 five-colour with coater: £1m
What to look for
• Impression count
• Gears
• Cylinders
• Service history
