Specialist in delivering customised turnkey solutions to the label printing and packaging industries – ROTOCON (in conjunction with its partner OEM, Pantec Schweiz AG) has installed South Africa’s first Pantec RHINO E flatbed finishing system at SA Litho Label Printers. In this SPECIAL FEATURE ARTICLE, WHERE To Print highlights how the latest installation is poised to redefine local standards in premium label production.
The standout feature of the Pantec RHINO E flatbed finishing system is its ability to apply multiple foils and embossing effects in a single pass. Renowned for its innovative embossing and multi-foil capabilities, the RHINO E can reach speeds of up to 18,000 strokes per hour, enabling rapid and efficient production of premium labels while maintaining the precision required for intricate tasks like foil stamping and embossing.
According to Roger Meierhofer, Senior Area Sales Manager at Pantec Schweiz AG, the RHINO E’s tooling cassette is optimised for frequent changes, a key requirement for short-run production. “Notably, switching tools – whether for simple flat hot foiling or intricate embossing—does not require cutting the foil or substrate, ensuring seamless transitions,” he said.
Operating alongside the RHINO E is ROTOCON’s CHROME RDF 340 digital finishing system with a delam/relam unit and turn bar on a moveable rail, two full rotary flexo units (one with cold foil and lamination), a rotary screen unit, Corona Treater, and a full-rotary die cutting station. The CHROME RDF 340 also features an integrated UV Ray curing system with a chill roller to ensure substrate stability, along with Wink’s SmartGap Touch – a digitally controlled adjustable anvil system that offers a range of smart functions to streamline the die-cutting process, making it faster, easier, and more efficient. Both the UV Ray and Wink systems were also supplied by ROTOCON.
“Introducing a machine of this calibre is always a challenge,” said Michael Aengenvoort, ROTOCON’s Group CEO. “From technical integration to operator training, every aspect had to align perfectly with SA Litho’s standards. Our role was to ensure that this end-to-end finishing line incorporating the Pantec RHINO E with the CHROME RDF, not only met but exceeded their expectations.”
For SA Litho’s General Manager, Dawrian Salies, the decision to invest in the Pantec RHINO E was strategic. “This was about differentiation,” Dawrian explained. “We wanted to elevate our capabilities and quality, especially in the wine and spirits labelling space, which demands intricate designs and impeccable finishing. Competing against multinational label producers requires us to match, if not surpass, their quality. With the RHINO E and CHROME RDF, we now have the tools to do just that.”
ROTOCON NOW SELLING VICUT DIGITAL CUTTING AND FINISHING MACHINES IN SOUTH AFRICA
In a related development, ROTOCON has also partnered with Chinese supplier – VICUT to bring their digital cutting and finishing machines to the South African market. The collaboration began at drupa 2024 and was formalised in September with a visit to ROTOCON’s Johannesburg facility and a shared stand at FESPA Africa 2024.
VICUT’s range of machines includes the VL-450X (digital laminating and foiling), the VFC90 (digital flatbed DTF cutter), the FC700/500 (flatbed cutter), the CC330/220 (auto-fed card cutter), and the SC-350 (auto-fed sheet label cutter). Among these, the FC700/500 flatbed cutter offers versatile functionalities to the South African market, enabling the creation of custom packaging by cutting both shape and crease lines with high precision. This makes it ideal for small-run, niche packaging, or personalised box production.
VICUT’s machinery is designed for the graphics industry, making it particularly suitable for smaller print shops or businesses with wide-format printers,” said Patrick Aengenvoort, Sales Director at ROTOCON. “Offline die-cutting for applications such as vinyl printing, short-run business cards, and wedding invitations—along with custom packaging and personalised box production—are just a few possibilities.”
“Our collaboration with VICUT is already delivering tangible results,” added Aengenvoort. “At FESPA Africa, we successfully demonstrated the versatility of VICUT’s technology, selling both a VICUT CC330 auto-fed card cutter and an FC500 flatbed cutter. The overwhelming interest in on-site demonstrations at our Johannesburg facility further reflects the growing demand for innovative and cost-effective cutting and finishing solutions in the South African market.”
A range of VICUT post-press cutting solutions will also be demonstrated on ROTOCON’s stands B9, B13, A8, and A14 at PROPAK Africa 2025. These include the VL-450X digital laminating and foiling machine, the VFC90 digital flatbed direct transfer film (DTF) cutter, the SC-350 Vulcan sheet-fed label cutter, and the FC-500VC Vulcan flatbed cutting plotter. ROTOCON is proud to be a Gold Sponsor of PROPAK Africa 2025.
For more information, visit: www.rotocon.world
