A successful METPACK 2011 for KBA-MetalPrint

Under the banner “Metal Decorating Competence” we reaffirmed our pole position as a system supplier. The main attractions on our stand were the METALCOAT 480 and GENIUS 52UV, the HIGH-ECON drying oven, the new energy-saving 2-piece drying ovens and our extensive service offering. One hot topic on the stand was our innovative expertise in coating and printing metal sheets down to 0.100mm (0.004in) thickness.

 

Many visitors on the KBA-MetalPrint booth

METALCOAT 480 The new METALCOAT480 coater on display was sold straight from the stand and will be installed and operational before the end of the year. It was a real magnet for prospects, who were particularly impressed by its ease of use and raft of new features for boosting productivity and cutting changeover times by as much as 25%. Separate drives allow an optimum, precision-controlled coating film to be applied. The METALCOAT 480 can handle both conventional solvent-based and UV coatings, e.g. in conjunction with a coating-plate cylinder. The new Touch & Control Panel facilitates operation and stores all relevant parameters. The ability to set lateral knockouts with a laser delighted top executives, plant managers and operators alike. 

The new coating machine MetalCoat 480

GENIUS 52UV

KBA’s GENIUS 52UV was exhibited to stimulate discussion on new approaches to metal decorating. A small-format waterless offset press primarily used to print paper, board, plastic and film, the GENIUS can also print metal sheets, and METPACK offered an opportunity to assess the response among members of the trade. These were fascinated by the waterless technology, keyless anilox inking units, ultra-compact design and five-colour capability. Sheet format was a major topic and with the active input of customers and print pros multiple applications were found. The general consensus was that the GENIUS 52UV is a useful tool for relieving large-format presses of short-run work.  

Coating and printing down to 0.100mm

tinplate sheets In alliance with two top vendors, Rasselstein and Soudronic, KBA-MetalPrint demonstrated innovation and competence in processing metal sheets down to 0.100 mm thickness. Given the cost and material savings that can be achieved, this was a key issue for our customers and the subject of much discussion. Here, too, we underscored our industry leadership by offering press lines for these ultra-thin sheets.  

Economy meets ecology

With sustainability and carbon footprints at the forefront of public debate, emissions reduction was another key issue, with the primary focus on minimising energy consumption. A reduction of up to 70% is possible with our new-generation HIGH-ECON dryers which combine quality and cost efficiency into the bargain. Energy conservation was a topic of keen interest in talks with customers and prospects.

2-piece drying ovens

Our new 2-piece drying ovens, which redefine the benchmark in energy savings, were equally popular. For existing press lines KBA-MetalPrint offers a free energy check to pinpoint savings potential.

Four service modules from KBA-MetalPrint

Our extensive service package also attracted a lot of interest. It offers customers a high degree of flexibility in safeguarding the lifelong reliability and output of their presses, plus upgrades to address shifts in market demand. The ability to customise the four modules in order to optimise performance went down well, and the service corner was a popular meeting point.

KBA MetalPrint could welcome visitors from all around the world

For KBA-MetalPrint the trade fair was an outstanding success. We welcomed a lot of longstanding and new customers to the stand, exchanged views on industry trends and advances and received plenty of feedback which will enable us to develop products that are still more finely attuned to customers’ wishes.