Autobond has developed a stand alone cross cutter - the CC 76 - that can be used with any make of sheet-fed laminator or encapsulator, the first time the UK manufacturer has introduced a product that can be integrated with competitors’ equipment.  The first model to be built at the Derbyshire factory is due to be delivered to a customer in Toronto during June, where it will be linked with both a Billhofer laminator and Autofeeds encapsulator to produce mouse-mats.
 
“The new CC 76 can be interfaced with any sheet-fed laminator or encapsulator and will cut material as thick as 500 micron (10 mil) polyester,” says managing director John Gilmore.  “The CC 76 is the only dual purpose, stand alone cutter on the market.  An arrowhead blade is used to cut laminated work and this can cross cut single-sided nylon and polyester where sheets have been under-lapped.  The blade can be changed within a couple of minutes for a circular cutting disc, which enables the separation of encapsulated work.
 
“Material can be cut up to 76 cm (30 inch) wide and the CC 76 will handle any length of web.  The length of sheet determines the throughout speed, and a B2 (28 inch) job should allow a top speed of 60 metres (200 ft) per minute.  We believe there is a significant market for the new CC 76 amongst printers and finishing houses looking to extend the functionality of their laminating or encapsulating equipment, for example, to handle special materials such as metalised board or pressure sensitive adhesive stock.”
 
The servo-driven cross cutter is fitted with an in-feed facility that pulls in the web with great accuracy even at high speed.  The web stops exactly at the centre of the gap, where the servo-driven flying knife cuts the film.  Autobond has incorporated a high degree of automation into the CC 76, which makes it easy to operate and highly accurate.
 
The CC 76 can also be programmed to make a double cut for flush cut or tab work.  Two dancing rollers ensure that the web is maintained at a constant tension throughout production, while ultrasonic detectors provide pinpoint accuracy for the servo driven flying knife.  Separated sheets are delivered onto an optional speed-adjustable shingle table or straight into a vibrating jogger.  If required, the CC 76 can be moved between equipment so that it can be linked to different laminators/encapsulators at a customer’s site.