Emphasizing its commitment to sustainability, XSYS is presenting its range of precision-engineered rotec sleeves and adapters for enhanced printing at drupa 2024. The rotec brand is synonymous with long-lasting quality and has a strong history of innovation, with the most active patents for sleeves and adapters, the company says.

The rotec team is introducing the rotec eco series of sleeves, the next generation of more sustainable sleeve products, to achieve brilliant print performance but with less impact on our world.

“As a pioneer of sleeve technology since 1990, rotec has always been ahead of its time when it comes to sustainability. Offering solutions tailored to the needs of each operation, many innovations have long been delivering exactly what customers are asking for today – shorter press startup times, faster changeovers, quick delivery, less waste and safer operator conditions,” states Gina Wienbracke, product manager, XSYS. “These products already contribute to a more sustainable world through their robust construction or accessories that extend the product lifetime. When sleeves and adapters last longer, they deliver a stronger return on investment and lower total cost of ownership for our customers, while reducing waste.”

A perfect example comes from INNI Group in Belgium, which has been using the same set of rotec offset sleeves for more than 15 years. Not only is this the very definition of long lifetime for sleeves, but with proven performance, as shared by Geert Lamon, operator at INNI Group, “rotec offset sleeves guarantee perfect register. They’re also much lighter with better printing quality, higher definition and much more precise dots. When using rotec, I don’t have to worry about handling, mounting or printing. It simply works.”

Recent solutions also extend product life, as well as contribute to maximized efficiency. Among these value-added solutions, the rotec eco Xtra Ring is a patented air distribution technology for easier mounting, reduced compressed air requirement, and preventing edge wear. Another is the rotec Smart Premium Sleeve / High Performance Sleeve, which incorporates a barrier layer for extended lifetime, as well as state-of-the-art raw materials for lighter weights, reduced bounce, and faster press speeds. Meanwhile the rotec multi-sleeve adapter uses pin technology to easily switch sleeve lengths on the same adapter, saving cost and increasing efficiency with a simpler setup.

New introductions at drupa include a range of compressible accessories (end plates, inner rings and notches). The compressibility is designed to absorb forces during handling to protect the sleeve from damage and further extend the product lifetime. There will also be an opportunity to explore the new rotec structured sleeve surface for flexographic printing, which allows any air bubbles caught under the mounting tape to escape more easily, reducing tape waste and ensuring excellent print quality.