RotoMetrics, a product supplier for the rotary converter for over 60 years, has benefited from its merger with Maxcess, which serves as a one-stop provider to OEMs and converters alike. Maxcess brings together decades of experience from a range of companies, from Tidland and Fife to Componex, Webex and MAGPOWR. By adding RotoMetrics to its diverse network, Maxcess can offer a comprehensive suite of products to customers in the narrow- and wide-web converting industries.

This partnership has been evident throughout the global pandemic. During a chaotic 2020 and into 2021, the enhanced resources have enabled Maxcess to meet various customer demands. RotoMetrics, a Maxcess brand, has introduced RotoRepel as an adhesive controlling, proprietary coating for both solid and flexible dies. Together, the companies created nonstick coated idlers and nonstick stripping rolls. 

“By listening to our customers’ issues, this expansion into idler rolls has proven to be very successful in controlling ink and adhesive transfer to these other rolls in the machine,” explains Keith Laakko, global vice president of marketing and development, RotoMetrics. “The amount of downtime for cleaning and replacement has been reduced from days to only hours. Our customers are reporting that the investment into utilizing these coated products is quickly recovered, and many claim they pay for themselves in the first run. Customers are achieving more productive press time and higher yields per shift. The plans to combine RotoRepel to other lines of our Maxcess brands is underway and trialing very successfully.”

As supply chains have been challenged over the past year, RotoMetrics continues to meet the daily demand for machine-finished tools. “We are the world leader in the number of rotary tools shipped per day and continue to build and invest into expanding capacity and technology around the world,” adds Laakko. “With blade profile development and clearance tolerance control, we continue to offer the highest quality product to the market. These developments are driven by the introduction of new face materials and the newest thin film and high-density paper liners. As new materials are introduced, we will continue to advance diecutting technology to respond and assure high-quality results.”

From limited travel to the implementation of staggered work forces to ensure the health and safety of its employees, Maxcess has focused on the details to drive growth and productivity during these uncertain times. The company initiatives have included monitoring the health of its associates daily and shortening shifts to allow for the enhanced cleaning of work areas. Adaptation was critical for the organization to continue offering essential products in the medical industry, including products that were used not only for simple protective masks, but also the development of new technologies for microfluidics products for screening and care. 

“Our focus on adaptation has also led to our recent introduction of e-commerce platform MyMaxcess.com, enabling simple and cost-effective ordering of tools and replacement parts,” says Laakko. “MyMaxcess.com continues to be finely tuned to save customers time and money. The ability to track, reorder, and order replacement inventory tools and components online is an effective way to manage your workload.”

The entire Maxcess family of brands offers a one stop, end-to-end resource that was not available in the past, Laakko notes. “The marriage of leading product brands truly sets us apart, because with one call you can shop for all your press and converting line needs,” he says. “We also offer individual press and converting line audits. Maxcess can work with you on location with the inspection of all your converting equipment.  From rewinders to flexographic web presses, both new and old, we can help identify the critical causes to the converting challenges you face every day. By listening and working closely with your production crew and operators, we can review the issues or challenges you struggle with and offer expert advice on replacement or upgraded parts to ensure your profitability and throughput.”

When dealing with diecutting needs, specifically, evaluations are available for both flexible and solid tooling. As the tag and label market continues to grow, flexible die technology continues to mature. As RotoMetrics states, the use of flexible dies is quickly becoming the new normal. 

“Quick deliveries and savings in freight and tooling costs lead to the growing number of converters adapting this cutting method,” says Laakko. “These dies are easy to load, considerably less expensive for these types of runs, and manufacturing technologies only allow flexible dies to cut a wider array of materials.  From thin film liners to standard paper liners, and now with the new high impact/high density paper liners being introduced, the use of flexible dies will continue to expand, with tighter tolerance control that is demanded for these materials.”