Be Safe And Productive

Safety and efficiency are the key factors to consider when trying to find the best cutter

for your in-plant.

by CHRIS BAUER

THE SAFETY of your in-plant employees must be a priority for you as a manger. Especially vulnerable to injury are operators of paper cutting equipment. So to ensure that no injuries occur in your shop, make sure you bring in equipment that is safe.

"Safety has always been number one with Polar," stresses Rob Kuehl, product manager for Heidelberg's Polar Cutting Systems division. He notes that all new Polar customers and operators must go through a safety training program put on by the vendor. All Polar equipment also meets both German and American safety standards, Kuehl adds.

"We demand dealers provide operator training and confirm it has been completed with a signature on the warrantee card," says Robb Gould, vice president of marketing and sales for Challenge Machinery. The company also uses outside sources to test the safety and reliability of its equipment, Gould explains.

Backgauge covers, safety light curtains, knife cycle safeties, time delays on the cut buttons, clamp pressure safeties, warning labels and operator instruction are all ways vendors say they are making paper cutting safer.

While safety is vital, the job still has to get done quickly and efficiently. Gould, of Challenge Machinery, notes that vendors are constantly looking for ways to automate the cutting process. This is especially important for smaller shops, he says, which may have less-experienced operators. With advances in automation on Challenge equipment, Gould jokes, "even the sales staff can use it."

Accessories like joggers and paper lifts will raise production in your shop, says Heidelberg's Kuehl. It will also boost the morale of your staff, he predicts, as heavy lifting is eliminated and setup times are trimmed down.

"It motivates employees because they are no longer lifting paper to the equipment," Kuehl explains. "Hours of prep time is cut to minutes and it keeps the knife moving."

A cutter is a piece of equipment that should probably last forever if maintained properly, advises Kuehl. This means it will have to be able to handle an increase in work if business soars somewhere down the road. So Kuehl recommends managers do some research and workflow projections before making a purchase.

"You don't just go out and buy a car," Kuehl points out. "You look for the features you like and think what you want it to have." The same goes for buying a new cutter, he maintains, so it is a purchase that will be with your shop for years to come.

That is not to say that the cutter you buy today is going to be exactly the same in 20 years. Challenge Machinery's Gould points out that his line of equipment can always be upgraded and have new accessories added to it to keep it up to date.

Here's a look at what is available:

Automation Is Everywhere

The hydraulic Baumcut 26.4 programmable paper cutter from Baumfolder features push-button programming. It stores up to 99 programs with 6,464 cut steps. Infrared safety beams, two-hand timed release and a covered rear table help ensure operator safety. Noise levels are minimal since the motor runs only during cutting operations. Knife changes are easy, with a front adjustment. A built-in table light and optical cutting line indicator yield more precise cutting.

The Challenge Titan 265 programmable paper cutter features a 261⁄2˝ cut width, 99-channel/3,465-cut memory, hydraulic clamping and cutting and a 4˝ clamp opening. The electronic clamp pressure control permits programming of clamp pressure. A menu-driven LCD display and a light touch electronic keypad help simplify programming and editing of each job. The variable-speed backgauge control and LCD backgauge position indicator allow faster positioning of stock.

A complete cutter line is available from Dexter-Lawson Manufacturing, ranging in size from 47˝ to 110˝. With a life expectancy of 30 years, the cutters offer a 7˝ lift capacity. The 60˝ and larger models offer dual gear boxes with double enveloping drive components for long, clean cutting accuracy. Lawson products have a hydraulic counterbalanced clamping system with "Ease Knife Change," as well as a high-speed backgauge, controlled by an "MCC" flat screen monitor computer system.

The programmable Heidelberg Polar ED model, comes in 361⁄4˝, 451⁄2˝, 5315⁄16˝, 61˝ and 695⁄16˝. This model goes beyond the basic technology of the Polar E, offering additional functions and operating modes, such as full-function keyboard, process visualization, programmable parameters specific to the job and backgauge compensation. Clamping is infinitely adjustable for any kind of material.

ICD International has introduced an automated random print cutting version of its Trim & Cut Workstation. It cuts and trims images printed on rolls on all four sides, eliminating hand trimming. Available in 44˝, 60˝ and 80˝ widths, the cutter includes a paper alignment feature and a heavy duty rotary compression cutting knife.

MAN Roland distributes Wohlenberg cutters which range from 115 to 185 cm and have one-piece mainframe casting. They offer 50 strokes per minute and a faster backgauge speed with frequency-controlled backgauge drives. Electronics support the CIP-cut (one-time programming for prepress, press and finishing). Cut-tec models 76 and 92 operate at 42 strokes per minute.

MBM Corporation's Triumph 6550-EC Automatic Paper Cutter features a digital control panel for fast, accurate measurement settings. It also cuts sizes up to 251⁄2˝, saving valuable time and reducing costs by using parent stock. The 6550-EC is just one of the many Triumph models available with cutting widths from 15˝ to 28˝. MBM is offering a 10 percent cash rebate on the retail purchase price of any new Triumph cutter model through the end of November.

Available in both 21˝ and 26˝ models, PowerLine cutters from Martin Yale Industries offer a range of configurations, from a manual clamp/ manual backgauge model to a programmable unit with stored cutting programs and automated backgauge. Steel construction, precision components and consistent cutting accuracy are standard. PowerLine cutters feature dual push-button cutting control and safety guards. A removable clamp plate helps prevent marking of carbonless or delicate papers.

The Standard Horizon APC-M61 features a maximum cutting width of 24˝ and a maximum lift height of 3.9˝. The polished, chrome-plated worktable virtually eliminates paper marking and provides a smooth, friction-free surface for lift travel. A high-performance backgauge screw and precision forged linear raceway accurately positions the lift. A two-speed motor system precisely positions the backgauge and ensures maximum cutting accuracy.

Swaneck Graphic Equipment offers two new Pro-Cut paper cutter models, in 231⁄2˝ and 261⁄2˝ versions. These cutters are hydraulic and programmable, and are built with a solid steel base frame. Pro-Cut also offers a heavy-duty 261⁄2˝ and 32˝ cutter to meet any higher production needs. All cutters have a line light cut indicator, variable clamp pressure knobs and a soft clamp foot pedal.

The Victory Gergek computerized paper cutter from Vijuk has a patented double-rail backgauge design, which keeps it square and takes stress off the lead screw and chrome air table. The counter-weight clamp-return system eliminates springs that can stretch and break and provides soft-clamp foot-pedal operation. A non-repeat mechanism ends double cycling of the knife at the end of the sequence. It is computerized and has job recall of up to 10,000 cut positions, with unlimited programs. It is available in 30˝, 36˝, 45˝ and 54˝ formats.

Chris Bauer can be reached at: cbauer@napco.com.