Paper Cutters — Honing a Competitive Edge
A unique feature of LDR's Itoh cutters is the ability to program the clamp dwell time. The clamp can be set to stay down for up to 10 seconds after the cutting cycle, so the material can be jogged up against it without the operator having to keep the foot pedal pressed down. The cutters also feature a chrome bed, central lubrication and access to all knife adjustments from the front of the machine to save time and facilitate maintenance. Itoh cutters are equipped with Windows-based software so, if and when customers want to utilize CIP4, the manufacturer will be able to upgrade the software, Porter says.
In a broader context, the quality of cutting can greatly impact the productivity of the overall production process, asserts Mark Pellman, marketing manager at Baum in Sydney, OH. A programmable cutter using HSS (high speed steel) knives can provide more consistent results throughout the run, which facilitates later finishing steps, he explains.
In addition, the ability to easily recall setups and follow on-screen directions help to produce more consistent results regardless of the skill levels of different operators.
Adjustable clamp and knife cycle times to facilitate special cutting needs are a key standard feature on Baum cutters, according to Pellman. The BaumCut 26.4 and 31.5 programmable cutters are fully hydraulic and are available with optional air or non-air side tables. The manufacturer provides infrared light beams and two-hand non repeat cut buttons as standard equipment on all of its paper cutters.
Variations on a Theme
Since MBM Corp. targets the small commercial and in-plant printing markets, its largest cutter is a 251⁄2˝ model, notes Bill Golde, president of the North Charleston, SC-based manufacturer. Add-ons like material handling peripherals and CIP4 support primarily are for the bigger cutters, he says, but similar types of enhancements are being implemented at this level.
