SPARE CHANGEOVER (Will personnel concerns limit quick-changeo

Questions about the efficacy of sleeve systems also surface in regards to extremely wide-web presses. Tremper explains, "If sleeves become so cumbersome that a sleeve-handling robot is required … then the true advantage of the sleeve press … has been lost."

On the standard wide-web unit the sleeve system's mettle has been proven repeatedly, so manufacturers have focused much of their development efforts on that press aspect. F&K premiered an improved sleeve system on its Flexpress 16 S, while the new sleeve presentation system on PCMC's Infiniti press was also designed to cut changeover time and reduce sleeve damage and operator injury. W&H has introduced an automatic sleeve extracting system, through which pneumatic collars break bonds formed between mandrels and sleeves.