Paper guillotine - How to choose the right one? Top paper cutting

Gilotyna do papieru – Jak wybrać odpowiednią do swojej drukarni? Gilotyny do cięcia papieru z najlepszym dociskiem.

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

digicut 46 and digicut 49 paper guillotine

How to choose the right paper guillotine?

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

1. cutting length

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

gilotyny 46cm pasujące idealnie do formatu SRA3 – 320x450mm – 46cm pozwala na wygodną pracę i ścinanie marginesów z 4 stron
gilotyny 49cm – pracujące z zyskującym na popularności formatem SRA3+ – 330x480mm ;
gilotyny 52cm – pozwalają ciąć papier z formatu B2 (szersze portfolio podłoży) do zastosowania w druku cyfrowym czyli (SRA3/SRA3+)
gilotyny 80cm – pozwalają ciąć papier z formatu B1 lub zyskujący na popularności w druku cyfrowym papier banerowy

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:

siłę docisku – im większa siła tym mniejsza szansa iż arkusze przy cięciu się uślizgną
precisions of making the rear comb
guiding the comb (rear stub) on both sides (on 2 screws/guides) reduces the risk of skewing
napęd grzebienia – sprawny serwomotor lub silink krokowy powinien zapewnić precyzję 0,2mm

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:

Wymagana oburączna praca – operator uruchamia napęd noża poprzez wciśnięcie przycisków obiema rękami
Kurtyna bezpieczeństwa – laserowa lub IR – zablokuje napęd noża kiedy scieżka jest przecięta
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 enclosures 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
Zaawansowane programatory – z pamięcią kroków, segmentów lub zapamiętujące pozycję i tworzące 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

Gilotyna do papieru jest podstawowym narzędziem w każdej drukarni, w centrum druku – print roomie, czy biurze realizującym więcej niż wydruk w formacie A4.

Therefore, choose:

trymer – jeśli chcesz sporadycznie dociąć pojedynczy arkusz papieru czy folii
gilotynę ręczną “nożycową” – jeśli zdarza się, że musisz przeciąć kilka kartek papieru (na w broszurze czy oprawie)
gilotynę elektryczną lub hydrauliczną – jeśli musisz dziennie wykonać nawet kilka cięć z zachowaniem dużej precyzji oraz najwyższych standardów bezpieczeństwa.

Practical tips for choosing a paper cutting guillotine

Assess your needs:
Consider how often you will use the guillotine and what paper formats you will most often cut.
Pay attention to the materials:
If you plan to cut not only paper, but also cardboard or laminated materials, choose a more powerful model.
Check warranty and spare parts availability:
A good guillotine is an investment for years, make sure you will be able to easily replace the blade or other parts.
Test before you buy:
If possible, try the guillotine before you buy it to assess its ergonomics and ease of use. Akonda allows machine testing in show-room
Don't skimp on security:
Choose a model with good safety features, especially if the guillotine will be used by many workers.
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: