Sheeter Meets the Demands of Lenticular Graphics Market

08.27.14Manufacturers of lenticular plastic can now sheet the product at higher speeds than conventional drop shear equipment, while insuring the square, accurate dimensions required by the Printing Industry using a sheeter designed by MAXSON AUTOMATIC MACHINERY COMPANY (Westerly, RI USA). Lenticular technology, when used in print graphics, gives two dimensional pictures depth and motion. Used increasingly in point of purchase displays and other retail venues, the technology demands that the lenticulated plastic sheets be absolutely square to heighten the perceived motion.

In this sheeter design, the cutting section includes knives mounted in an upper and lower rotating cylinders. The cylinders accelerate and decelerate during each revolution such that the peripheral speed of the blades and the speed of the web are equal at the cutting point maintaining sheet length accuracy and squareness. This cutting action eliminates the skive along the leading and trailing edge on thicknesses up to 0.060” (1.5 mm) thick, without producing slivers. Using an exclusive clash arrangement, the operator can safely adjust the cross cutting blades while the cutter is running.

The SDFK sheeter can handle cut lengths from 11 inches – 2,000 inches (279 – 51,000 mm) at speeds up to 300 fpm (90 mpm). A continuous operating system is provided allowing sheeted material to be accumulated until completed pile is removed. The sheeting line can be equipped with an automated slitting rig module that stands alone and separate from the other sheeter components allowing accessibility during web-up. The slitters are motorized and fully automatic, moving horizontally as instructed by data entry at computer controls.