Let’s look at setting sheet length first. Setting up for length changes on a modern sheeter can be done fairly quickly. There are four items to be set. One is the overlap carriage located in the delivery system. This is typically a hand wheel adjustment with a scale indicating the sheet length.
The next item is the front stop in the stacker. In some cases this moves in unison with the overlap carriage and in others, it must be individually adjusted. If individually adjusted, a scale may be provided or it may require using a tape measure to measure from the stationary fingers at the back of the pile to the front stop. Either way this is a simple movement.
The third item is to set the actual sheet length. On machines equipped with dual motor drives, this is as simple as entering a number on the control panel. On other machines, it requires setting a variable speed transmission, usually with a hand wheel. If the machine has a sheet length monitor, the transmission is adjusted until the desired sheet length is displayed. If not, material must be run through the machine and measured until the correct length is obtained.
The last item to be addressed on stationary bed sheeters is squareness. On many machines with dual motor drives, this is done automatically when sheet length is entered. On other machines, it requires the operator to reposition the knife section using a ratchet mechanism and the scale provided.
Setting up for width changes requires setting the bottom slitter rings to the desired position, typically by loosening a set screw and measuring with a tape measure. The top slitters are the adjusted to the bottom slitter rings.
Next, tapes and edge turners are moved into position based on the paper flow through the tape system.
Once the paper reaches the stacker, the jogger blades are moved into position to line up with the edges.
Depending on the machine and the skill of the operator, this could take from 10 – 20 minutes.
