Invented in England during the early 1800’s, commercial papermaking was a huge catalyst to the invention and innovation of commercial rewind slitting machines. Shortly afterward rewind slitting technology grew slowly as brake, clutch and mechanical abilities became accessible.
Skip forward to the 21st century, these days the apparatus has become very sophisticated including the usage of servo powered magnetic motors in place of clutches and drive techniques that keep track of, unwind and rewind tensions on the fly. Additionally, where technologies have seriously taken hold certainly is the use of computerized slitter blade set up systems in which the operator can easily program their slit widths and as a result may easily verify the appropriate slit width through normal quality checks.
Enhancements to slitting capabilities which have driven change include driven unwind devices, load cell tensioning and infrared web diameter recognition. Some materials are extremely stretchy and volatile, the cabability to “push” the web through the winder is very important this method is used with driven unwind units. For webs which might be affected by tension immensely, the usage of load-cells are essential to even out the difficulties those webs can present. The application of electronic infrared eyes are important to retaining proper tension from the start of the roll to the end of the roll.

Another device used to reduce downtime is the implementation of continuous wind and turret wind systems. For continuous winders, after the roll is wound to the proper length, the rewind stops, cuts the web, pushes the finished set out of the way, drops in the next of cores into the rewind chucks, and the next set starts winding. The completed doff can be palletized as necessary. On a turret wind system, the rewind system has two sets of shafts, so while one shaft of rolls is finishing, the other set will turret in and after the finished set is cut, it turrets away and the rolls get pulled off the rewind. In this process, the stoppage time is less than 5 seconds.
Ultimately, at the unwind side of the equipment, the use of automated roll changing machines has lowered stoppage time as well.
The Best Slitting Services in the World!In the event you run an in house converting department or even a full service converting firm, finding the most efficient ways to ensure as little downtime as possible will minimize labor costs and drive up net income. The opportunity to flourish are very good for those firms that take time to apply any one or most of the technologies in the above list.