KBA C32 LED-UV press up and running at German quality printer Schaffrath

KBA Schaffrath pressThe management of German printer Schaffrath have announced that the KBA C32 commercial press, which was acquired last year through GWS Printing Systems, has now been taken into successful production. Schaffrath’s CEO Alexander Hornen highlights the unique concept behind this press. Based upon the companies strong belief that production based upon LED-UV curing will be the new way forward the KBA press system has been equipped with LED-UV curing technology replacing the traditional gas dryer. According to Alexander Hornen this suits the company’s future strategy to fulfill the highest standards when it comes to offering a sustainable high quality printed product.

GWS Printing Systems’ technical project manager, Stefan van der Linden, responsible for the project further explains the complexity of the project. Not only the implementation of a new LED-UV curing system asked for technical solutions to be found. For space and production reasons the press folder had to be turned 180 degrees for better press layout and machine performance. “It is for that reason we decided to deeply involve Koenig & Bauer as our partner in this project”. “Koenig & Bauer holds specific machine knowledge which was required to complete this project”, as per Stefan van der Linden. In addition, GWS shortened the total press length substantially due to the gas dryer being deleted and took care of all modifications required to the press platforming and stairs consequently.

During the Drupa 2024 show the project at Schaffrath was given a lot of attention as magazine and book production using LED-UV curing technology seems trending. The demand for an increased sustainability in print in combination with fluctuating gas prices forces printers to investigate new and modern ways of production. Schaffrath must be given all credits for making this step as one of the first quality web offset printers in Europe.