What Is a Slitting Machine and How Does It Work?

Slitting machine (also called slitter rewinder machine) is an industrial equipment to convert jumbo material rolls into narrower strips, smaller rolls, or specific widths or lengths. Through precise mechanical and automatic control, it efficiently performs tasks such as material cutting, dividing, and rewinding. It is widely used in various industrial fields, including textiles, packaging, printing, plastics, food, medicine, cosmetics, and electronics, etc.

Function: Slitting machines are mainly used to convert paper reels, plastic film, adhesive tape, fabric roll, non-woven fabric, foil, laminated rolls, etc.

Working Principle: The slitting process mainly involves the following steps:

1. Unwinding: The mother roll material (e.g., adhesive tape, film, paper, etc.) is placed on an unwind shaft, with  tension control system ensuring smooth feeding.

2. Edge Alignment & Tension Control: Photoelectric or ultrasonic sensors detect the material’s edge position to prevent deviation during the slitting process.

3. Slitting: The wide material is cut into preset widths using cutting tools such as shear blades, razor blades, air blades, etc.

4. Rewinding: The slit narrower strips are wound onto the rewinding shafts.

Main Material Types Processed by Slitting Machines:

* Adhesive Tapes: Such as double-sided tape, masking tape, BOPP tape, foam tape, duct tape, etc.

* Plastic Films: Such as PE film, PET film, PVC film, and BOPP film, .

* Paper: Such as coated paper, label paper, cardboard paper, and tissue paper, thermal paper.

* Non-Woven Fabrics: Such as medical non-woven fabric, packaging non-woven fabric, and filtration materials.

Different Types of Blades Used on the Slitting Machines

* Razor Blade – Best for thin, soft materials like plastic films.

* Rotary (Circular) Blade /Shear Blade – Used for thicker materials like tapes, non-wovens, paper, etc..

* Air Crush Cut Blade – Utilizes high-pressure air flow for cutting, suitable for elastic or easily deformable materials.

How to Choose a Slitting Machine?

* Material Characteristics: Such as thickness, elasticity, and adhesiveness.

* Slitting Width: Select a machine that meets the required cutting range.

* Working Speed: Different models offer varying slitting speeds; choose one that matches production needs.

* Unwind/Rewind Diameter: Regular film slitter unwind/rewind diameter is: 800mm/450mm; paper slitter: 1200/800mm, we can also customize into bigger diameter, for example, if unwind/rewind dia. over 1000mm, a gantry type slitter rewinder is required.

* Automation Level: For example, machine can add auto double-sided tape taping function, auto roll end cut-off, four shafts turret exchange, automatic and semi-automatic blade setting system, automatic paper core placement function, etc. to improve working efficiency.

Slitting Machine Operation Procedure:

I. Startup Section

1. Turn on the power switch, press the Emergency Stop Reset and Ready to Run buttons, then turn the key to switch the Machine mode to Run. Check if the voltage and current on the main operation panel are correct and stable.

2. Turn on the power supply and simultaneously check if the oil level and pressure gauge of the main hydraulic drive system are correct and stable.

3. Open the start-up shut-off valve and verify that the air pressure is correct, not less than 6.0 bar, and stable.

II. Parameter Setting Section

1. Set the material type, thickness, length, width, etc., as required.

2. Configure the winding length and width for the corresponding material specifications.

3. Select the appropriate winding station, adjust the pressure roller arm and roller, and install the corresponding-sized paper core.

III. Loading, Threading, and Splicing Section

1. Loading: According to the plan and actual conditions, place the master roll on the aging rack, position it on the slitter’s unwinding stand based on the corona surface (inner/outer), and use the control buttons to clamp the steel core. Then, retract the steel core support arm and overhead crane.

2. Threading: When there is no film on the slitter, threading is required. Use the slitter’s threading device and function buttons to tie one end of the film to the threading chain loop, then start the threading button to evenly distribute the film along the slitting path across all rollers.

3. Splicing: When film is present on the slitter and a roll change is needed, use the vacuum splicing table. First, move the splicing table to the working position, manually flatten the film on the slitter’s traction roller, and activate the upper vacuum pump to suction the film smoothly onto the splicing table. Apply double-sided tape and trim excess film beneath it. Flatten the film on the unwinding stand and start the lower vacuum pump to ensure smooth film adhesion.

IV. Operation Section

1. After adjusting specifications, installing paper cores on the inner/outer winding arms, and ensuring the pressure rollers are ready, prepare for operation.

2. Set the ANTI-STATIC BARS on the main operation panel to AUTO, enable READY TO RUN, and start MACHINE RUN to begin operation.

V. Slitting Control

During operation, monitor the process and adjust contact pressure, bowed rollers, edge traction rollers, edge guiding, slitting speed, and unwinding tension as needed.

VI. Winding Section

1. When the inner/outer winding is complete and the machine stops, use the Unload Film button to place the film onto a prepared unloading cart, then cut and seal the film roll with adhesive tape.

2. Press the Chuck Release button to loosen the chucks. Check if all film rolls are detached from the paper cores. If any remain stuck, manually remove them.

3. Once all films are unloaded onto the cart, use the Load Film button to raise the winding arm, install new paper cores, and neatly attach the film for the next slitting cycle.

VII. Shutdown Section

1. The machine automatically stops when the film reaches the preset length.

2. During operation, press MACHINE STOP to halt if needed.

3. For an emergency stop, press EMERGENCY STOP for more than 2 seconds.

4. In case of equipment failure or human accidents, press EMERGENCY STOP immediately.