More than 60 industry identities attended a highly-anticipated event, hosted by IVE Group in collaboration with Koenig & Bauer’s Australian team and LIA Victoria, to showcase the latest in automated sheetfed offset printing technology.
IVE Group opened the doors of its world-class Braeside printing facility for guests to witness live demonstrations of the company’s two new Koenig & Bauer presses – a Rapida 106X 10-colour perfector with inline coating, which will be used for commercial printing, and a Rapida 106X seven-colour packaging press featuring two in-line coating units.
The presses are IVE Group’s first from the German press manufacturer. They have two more on order, which will be installed at the company’s new Sydney plant in the coming months by the company’s Australian team, headed by Graham Harris, Managing Director, and Rayne Simspon, Sales Manager – Australia & New Zealand, who were instrumental in planning the October event.
After a short introduction by LIA Victoria President, Robyn Frampton, the night commenced with a welcome from IVE Group’s CEO Matt Aitken, who said these significant investments were part of his company’s demonstrated commitment to maintaining the very best and latest technologies to meet its customer’s needs for quality, productivity and sustainability.
Markus Weiss, CEO of Paper & Packaging for Koenig & Bauer, then addressed the gathering, outlining his company’s strong commitment to customers – who he described as ‘family’ – and giving an overview of the extensive product range, and the company’s future strategic directions.
“ROI analysis, technical analysis percentages, these are all important,” he says, “but I think as printers, we need also to think about how we can make really make an innovative end product, which utilises not just the capabilities and possibilities of print, but integrating print with digital technologies, and harnessing the power of AI.
“As printers, we have to start shaping the future – shaping our production environment to ensure we can make those products which drive engagement with a new generation. Koenig & Bauer is committed to help you do that, with German engineering and with smart, AI-driven technology that will make your production more efficient and the end products more sexy for your customer, to help them drive sales and response.”
Weiss then handed over to Dr Dirk Winkler, Head of Printing Technology & Product Management for Koenig & Bauer, who headed the demonstrations.
Four jobs were produced on each press, with the processes narrated by Dr Winkler. Four sections of a fishing magazine were produced first on the 10-colour perfecting press. The seven-colour machine was then used to produce a seven-colour expanded gamut job, a four-colour job, a three-colour pack featuring three completely different special colours from those used in the first project, and then the fishing magazine cover.
Overall, the entire presentation, including production of eight jobs to commercial quality, took just under 40 minutes, with guests marvelling at the host of automated and autonomous features which facilitate job makeready and changeover in just minutes, maximise precision and quality, and minimise waste. The demonstrations were enhanced by the wealth of information provided by Dr Winkler on the inner workings of these impressive machines.
After the presentation, guests were treated to refreshments and the opportunity to catch up with representatives from IVE Group, Koenig & Bauer’s Australian and German team, and fellow industry professionals, capping off a fascinating evening and another great LIA Victoria technical event.
Caption:
Dirk Winkler, Head of Printing Technology & Product Management for Koenig & Bauer, with one of the magazine sections printed on the Rapida 106X 10-colour press