Paper guillotine - How to choose the right one for your print shop? Paper guillotines for cutting paper with the best pressure.

Choosing the right paper guillotine is a key piece of equipment for any print shop. Whether you run a print service facility or a large print shop, precision paper cutting is essential for professional results. In this comprehensive guide, we take a look at the different types of guillotines to help you choose the best device for your print shop.

Paper guillotine

The paper guillotine is a device designed to cut more sheets at a time. It is characterized by:

• Ability to cut thicker stacks of paper, a stack of 80mm sheets or more

• Precise cutting thanks to a strong clamp that prevents paper from slipping

• Various sizes, from small office guillotines to production models

• Robust design,

• A sharp knife that needs to be sharpened after making a certain number of cuts

Guillotines are used for: 

• Cutting out smaller usages like invitations, business cards
• Cutting margins when printing posters, for example
• paper cutting to printer format

An example of a professional guillotine is Hydrocut 52 slicer, which offers high performance and precision cutting. This model stands out:

• A cutting length of 520 mm, which allows it to handle most standard formats in a digital printing shop

• Hydraulic clamping system to ensure an even and firm hold on the paper

• Ability to cut stacks up to 80 mm high

• Programmable control to facilitate repeatable cuts
  

For smaller tasks, Digicut 49 can be an ideal solution, offering precision and ease of use. This model features:

• Cutting length of 490 mm, which is sufficient for most standard paper formats

• Ability to cut a stack of up to 80mm of paper at a time

• Ergonomic design for easy use

• Precise paper positioning system

How to choose the right paper guillotine?

There are several key factors to consider when choosing a guillotine for a print shop:

1. length of cut

Cutting length is one of the most important parameters. In our offer you will find guillotines that support different formats:

• 46cm guillotines that fit perfectly for SRA3 format - 320x450mm - 46cm allows you to work comfortably and cut margins on 4 sides

• 49cm guillotines - working with the increasingly popular SRA3+ format - 330x480mm ;

• 52cm guillotines - allow to cut paper from B2 format (wider portfolio of substrates) to use in digital printing that is (SRA3/SRA3+)

• 80cm guillotines - allow you to cut paper from B1 format or banner paper which is gaining popularity in digital printing

2. cutting thickness

The thickness of the cut determines how many sheets of paper the guillotine can cut at one time. This is a key parameter affecting productivity:

• Electric guillotines will cut the maximum stack height (80mm) practically for a stack of A4 size xerographic paper (uncoated 80g/m2). When cutting coated paper/chalk in the stack must be lower. 

• Hydraulic guillotines due to the fact that the pressure of the stack is realized by a hydraulic cylinder driven by a massive pump allows for cutting high stacks of both coated and uncoated (chalky) papers

3. cutting precision

Precise cutting is crucial in a printing plant. Even the smallest deviations can be visible in the final product. Pay attention to:

• clamping force - the greater the force the less chance that the sheets will slip when cutting

• precisions of making the rear comb

• guiding the comb (rear stub) on both sides (on 2 screws/guides) reduces the risk of skewing

• comb drive - an efficient servomotor or stepper motor should provide 0.2mm precision

Digicut 46 offers high precision cutting, ideal for professional applications. It is equipped with:

• Precise paper positioning system

• Clear markings on the worktop

• Stable design for accurate cutting

4 Safety of use

Safety is extremely important when working with sharp tools. Modern guillotines offer various safety features:

• Two-handed operation required - the operator starts the blade drive by pressing buttons with both hands

• Safety curtain - laser or IR - will block the knife drive when the path is cut

• Blade lock system: Prevents the blade from falling even if systems fail

Please note that the equipment must always be operated with all covers and housings installed by the manufacturer!

5. additional features

Many guillotines offer additional features that can make work much easier:

• Laser guide lines: Facilitate precise paper alignment

• Advanced programmers - with memory for steps, segments or remembering a position and creating a program

• Aerial work table: Helps manipulate large sheets

• Adjustable pressure: Allows you to adjust the clamping force to suit different materials

• Foot press : convenient foot press helps hold sheets ergonomically

• Book pressure pads: allowing convenient shearing of soft bound books without destroying the spine

Consider which of these features will be useful in your daily work and choose the model that best suits your needs.

6. cutting speed 

Speed affects the efficiency of the work, usually electric slicers with lower speed lowering the pressure and knife comparing to hydraulic slicers.

Office guillotines vs. professional guillotines for print shops

A paper guillotine is an essential tool in any print shop, print center - print room, or office realizing more than an A4 print. 

Therefore, choose: 

• trimmer - if you want to occasionally trim a single sheet of paper or film 

• manual guillotine "scissor" - if it happens that you need to cut several sheets of paper (on a brochure or binding)

• electric or hydraulic guillotine - if you need to make even several cuts a day with high precision and the highest safety standards. 

Practical tips for choosing a paper cutting guillotine

1. Assess your needs:

   Consider how often you will use the guillotine and what paper formats you will most often cut.

2. Pay attention to the materials:
   If you plan to cut not only paper, but also cardboard or laminated materials, choose a more powerful model.

3. Check warranty and spare parts availability:
   A good guillotine is an investment for years, make sure that you will be able to easily replace the blade or other parts.

4. Test before you buy:
   If possible, try the guillotine before you buy it to assess its ergonomics and ease of use. Akonda allows testing of the machine in the show-room

5. Don't skimp on security:
   Choose a model with good safety features, especially if the guillotine will be used by many workers.

6. Consider future needs:
   If you're planning to grow your print shop, you may want to invest in a larger model to meet your growing demands.

Paper guillotines and slicers in our Akonda range

W our range of guillotines and cutters You'll find a wide range of equipment to suit different needs and budgets. We have solutions for every type of business.

Our products are characterized by:

• High quality workmanship

• Cutting precision

• Ease of use

• Variety of models to suit different needs

We encourage you to take a look at the full range and contact our experts to help you choose the perfect product.

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