Flint Group launches rotec Eco Bridge

Flint Group has launched its patent-pending rotec Eco Bridge for use in flexographic printing presses and on plate-mounting equipment.

Martin Schwiertz, project leader for rotec Eco Bridge

The rotec Eco Bridge is an adapter with a breathable metal ring at the operator side which creates an air pillow to allow easy and fast mounting of sleeves. Typical adapters have only four to eight air stream holes to help mount the sleeves. In comparison, the rotec Eco Bridge forms a ring of air across the entire circumference of the adapter.

Another benefit of the rotec Eco Bridge, according to Flint Group, is the reduced air volume requirement. A standard adapter normally needs around 720 l/min of compressed air at six bar of pressure to mount a sleeve; the rotec Eco Bridge can achieve the same results with only 50-70 l/min, and the required pressure can sometimes be reduced. This is more than 90 percent reduction in air volume needed. Not only is this a cost saving, but reduced air volume also equates to much less noise. A working rotec Eco Bridge produces decibel levels a little over normal room noise (< 60 dB) compared to a typical adapter set-up at ≥ 85 dB.

At a recent customer trial, Robert Adler, Flint Group director of sales for North America said, ‘I believe this will become a new standard of our industry.’

Press operators benefit from using the rotec Eco Bridge for easier sleeve mounting, cost savings and reduced noise. At the first trial in Germany, the customer said, ‘Our press operator was ecstatic. Mounting is much easier than before. The noise is significantly less than normal, and the best is, we can de-mount the
420 mm Repeat Sleeve with one hand, without effort. Perfect development for our pre-press operation.’