Site Adds Second KBA Commander CT

By: E&P Staff Main-Post in Wuerzburg, Germany, last month ordered another automated and compact Koenig & Bauer press. Closely involved in development of the KBA Commander CT, Main-Post installed the original four-high tower in 2006. Last summer it was expanded to the world's first eight-high tower for conventional wet offset.

In contrast, the additional 32-page press will be configured as side-by-side, 4.5-meter-high towers, replacing four KBA Express towers dating from 1992-96. The new and existing Commander CT towers will sit on opposite sides of the newspaper's original-design (full-height) Commander press.

To be delivered this summer, the new Commander CT is scheduled to be in production next January (just before the big triplewide Commander CT press line is to start up at New York's Daily News). Designed for a cut-off length of 500 mm and a maximum web width of 1,400 mm, the press is tailored specifically to the slightly reduced Rhine format preferred by Main-Post.

The new towers will be equipped with fully automatic KBA PlateTronic plate changers, automatic KBA RollerTronic roller locks and KBA NipTronic bearings. The order also includes two Pastomat reelstands, two turner decks, a folder superstructure with two formers, a KF 5 jaw folder and two ErgoTronic control consoles. The new press section will be integrated into the existing ABB MPS Production production-management and press-presetting system.