Gravure Press High-Speed Folding Technology Limits and Web Width Limits

Nowadays gravure presses reach production speeds ranging between 55,000 and 60,000 cylinder revolutions per hour. The main restriction for another speed increase is the folding device. If we consider the forces acting on the paper and the moving processes during folding, we gain an insight into this problem. The first 3.60 m (142) gravure press has been in operation in Germany since November 1997. Is it sensible to develop presses for even larger widths or has an optimum upper limit already been reached? What effects would even wider presses have? Where do negative effects occur? In many areas of the printing press higher speeds and larger web widths require new solutions for paper handling and press technology.