Technical | Features and Benefits

The Xymid, LLC sleeve system is an effective way to respond to the growing demand for shorter run lengths and more frequent package design changes. Flexo plates are mounted to the sleeve offline. The plate mounted sleeve is applied to the cylinder using compressed air. Sleeve removal is handled the same way. Plate mounted sleeves can be stored for multiple future runs. This alleviates the time, cost, and possible plate damage often associated with removing plates from the print cylinder and remounting them for subsequent runs.

A key advantage of the system is that with repeat runs there is no need to demount the printing plates to make a cylinder available. The plates remain on the sleeves which can be quickly removed from the cylinder, stored and later refitted without having to remount plates.

The composite construction of Xymid sleeves provides a very durable product that resists cracking and splitting. Sleeves can be used on existing print cylinders without having to purchase new tooling. Only minor modification of the existing cylinder is required. In addition, longer repeat lengths can be achieved on a single set of cylinders through the use of thicker sleeves and interchangeable gearing.

Using sleeves also eliminates the requirement for many cylinders of the same size. A single cylinder can be used to mount an entire job because the sleeve is removed from the cylinder after the plate is mounted.

Sleeves can be stored in a variety of ways. Depending upon the number of repeat sizes, sleeves can be "nested" before storing to optimize storage space. Mounted or blank sleeves can be stored using wall mounted pegs or racking system, portable carts, a cubicle design, or in their shipping containers.