Automatic cutting machine for cutting of thin foils

The development of an automatic cutting machine for the automatic and parallel cutting of ski and snowboard coatings requires both competence as well as know-how. Metzner has solved this challenge for a well-known manufacturer of coatings for skis and snowboards with an innovative system suitable for the requirements.

Before Metzner developed this system, only one film at a time could be cut at customer’s company. An automated, individual adjustment to different cut widths, as is the case today, was not possible. Most of all, the production efficiency was restricted by this. It was clear to IMS at that time that something had to change. And the changes were firmly defined: As well as the parallel longitudinal slitting and cross cutting of the films, the system also had to be integrated in the already existing system design. Thus, fixed external dimensions were specified. It was also important to construct the machine on a traversing system so that the complete Metzner system can be docked to each of the extruders in the extrusion centre. The system should be accessible from all sides to minimise the retooling times for the respective setting up of the system.

The concept

In order to be able to process the thin films which come directly from the extrusion line, sag regulation was initially integrated which is used as guidance and weighting at the same time. Afterwards, the thin film is fed directly into the longitudinal slitting device via a system of several guide rollers.

Once inserted in the machine, the film is machined by up to ten longitudinal slitting blades. As it was very important for IMS to process different material widths, all blades can be adjusted to the desired width. Blades not needed are folded into the inside of the machine (with its own safety cover). In this way, injuries which can be caused by reaching into a running system are almost reduced to zero. 

A positioning feeder takes over the work after the longitudinal slitting. With a width of 1000 millimetres and a working length of 200 millimetres, the feeder ensures the length precision of the ski coatings. Afterwards, the films cut into strips are cut to the desired length by a cross cutting module. During the conception, the importance here was mainly a fast knife replacement.

Benefits

The maximum extrusion width of the line can be completely utilised due to the longitudinal slitting device. There is also an improvement in quality due to the direct integration of the cutting system in the extrusion centre: as the material is not completely hardened after the extrusion, the knives can make a better cut.