Flex Essentials updates sleeve storage system

The newly designed, lower-cost FlexStor VII system allows for storage of approximately 2,500 sleeves due to the narrower rack design.  

The company engineers have found that in most flexographic press operations, approximately 50 percent of the sleeves are less than 22in (550 mm) repeat. Therefore, dedicated, narrower rack designs have been developed, enabling the installation of seven rather than six racks per overhead rail bay.

The overhead rail system supports the individual racks on rollers to allow side-to-side motion. This enables the aisle to be located where convenient for the operator. 

FlexStor does not use every fifth rack to support the overhead rail system. It is an independent support system that is infinitely expandable. This means only one aisle is required for multiple bays. 

‘For example, our largest installation has an overall length of 86 feet (26 m) and shares 8 ft (2.5 m) of the aisle over seven support bays. The customer was thrilled at the floor space savings that this system has provided. The real estate saved was worth substantially more than the cost of the storage system,’ said the company in a statement.

Flex Essentials also offers FlexStand racks without the overhead rail support system. This allows customers starting with only a few sleeves to use the same racks typically used in FlexStor and simply bolt them to the floor. Once the sleeve inventory increases, these same racks, with the addition of wheels and the overhead rail system, can be converted to a complete FlexStor system. 

All new racks are retrofittable to existing FlexStor installations.