Heatset Web Offset Presses -- Hot Rumors Cool Off

Meanwhile, KBA North America has released details of another new product it will roll out at Drupa: a 70,000 cph, high-automation, commercial web press—the Compacta 217. The new press will target the high end of the 16-page market and complement the 1997-vintage Compacta 215.

According to KBA officials, the Compacta 217 was engineered to address a shift in market orientation as players gear up to face emerging challenges. With run lengths diminishing, demand is growing for a higher level of automation to ease paper handling, cut run waste, reduce makeready and changeover times, afford easier access to subassemblies, and enhance press capabilities, reliability and cost-efficiency.