Sleeve Press Features Advanced Rotation

Published: October 14, 2009

WEST HARTFORD, CT | On behalf of Edelmann Graphics GmbH, Matik Inc., the company’s exclusive distributor, offers the new line of Star-Print (Sleeve Technology Advanced Rotation) presses, featuring variable offset printing with sleeves that are mounted in an insert.

Sleeves in a printing insert are used for the traditional plate and blanket cylinders that are fitted with bearers. Available print repeats are from 22 in.—44 in. Inserts cover a range of 8 in. so that a 24-in. insert will allow a repeat range up to 32 in.; similarly, a 44-in. insert will allow a range down to 36 in. Press can be configured to run wet on wet or with intermediate drying and is available in web widths of 20.4 in., 30 in., and 36 in. Three-layered sleeves are said readily available and manufactured from stable materials, reportedly have relatively thin walls, and have no fillers in the material. Sleeves are fitted with hardened bearers (left and right) that are screwed into position and are hydraulically locked onto mandrels to ensure concentricity when running.

Non-printing zone is 1.5 mm (0.059 in.); the blanket is mounted onto a plate that’s said to quickly mount onto the blanket sleeve and can be mounted off line in preparation for the next job. Hailed as the “ideal hybrid solution,” Star-Print presses will take inserts for offset, flexo, gravure, and silk screen.