Understanding the printing slotting and die-cutting machine (usually referring to corrugated cardboard post-processing equipment, such as the "printing slotting and die-cutting adhesive box linkage line") requires mastering a systematic knowledge system. This is not just about operating a machine, but a comprehensive discipline involving mechanics, materials, processes, and management.
The following are the main knowledge you need to know, which can be divided into several core sections:
1、 Equipment principles and structural knowledge
This is the most fundamental part, you need to know how the machine works.
Machine workflow: Paper feeding → Printing → Line pressing/slotting → Die cutting → Waste cleaning → Stacking/gluing boxes. It is necessary to have a clear understanding of the functions of each unit and their interrelationships.
Core component unit: Paper feeding department: Understand the working principle of the front-end paper feeding machine and how to achieve high-speed, accurate, and non-destructive paper feeding. The key components include the lifting platform, leading edge paper feeding wheel, vacuum adsorption system, etc.
Printing Department:
Printing method: Typically, the core components of flexographic printing include the plate cylinder, mesh roller (responsible for quantitative ink transfer), rubber roller, and impression cylinder.
Color group: Understand the arrangement and overlay principles of multi-color printing such as monochrome, two-color, and tri color.
Slotting section:
Function: Cut out the rocking cover and tongue of the cardboard box, and press out the folding line.
Core components: upper and lower slotting blade shaft, wire pressing wheel. It is necessary to understand how to adjust the size and shape of the cardboard box by replacing different blades and thread rollers.
Die cutting department:
Function: Punch out special shapes of cardboard boxes (such as handle holes, irregular appearance).
Method: Flat die cutting or circular die cutting. Understand the production and installation of die-cutting plates, as well as the adjustment of die-cutting pressure.
Waste removal department: Understand how to automatically remove the waste generated after die-cutting, its principle (usually using needle alignment and shaking), and adjustment methods.
Paper receiving/box gluing department: Understand the process of automatic stacking and counting, or automatic folding and gluing (pasting boxes) into the final cardboard box.
2、 Process and operational knowledge
This is the key to transforming device knowledge into actual productivity.
Order preparation and machine adjustment:
Reading and recognizing pictures: able to understand the unfolded diagram (box type diagram) of the cardboard box, understand all annotations such as dimensions, pressure lines, slotting, die-cutting positions, etc. Plate preparation: Prepare the correct printing plate (flexible plate) and die-cutting plate according to the order.
Upward version and positioning: Proficient in installing printing plates and die-cutting plates, and conducting preliminary alignment and positioning.
Equipment setup and debugging:
Size adjustment: Accurately adjust the position of the rollers or shafts of each unit (printing, slotting, die-cutting) according to the specifications of the cardboard box.
Pressure regulation:
Printing pressure: the pressure between the printing plate and the mesh roller, and between the printing plate and the cardboard. If the pressure is too light, the printing will be inaccurate; if it is too heavy, the dot will expand and the cardboard will crush.
Die cutting pressure: Ensure that the surface paper and corrugated can be cut cleanly and cleanly, but do not damage the rubber pad or bottom roller too deeply.
Ink balance: Although it is water-based ink, it is still necessary to control the ink volume (through the number of lines/volume of the mesh roller) and viscosity to ensure consistent color and avoid sticking to the plate.
Alignment and Quality Control:
Overlay accuracy: Adjust the alignment of printing patterns for each color group.
Die cutting/slotting accuracy: Ensure that the die-cutting and slotting positions are accurately aligned with the printed pattern.
Online inspection: During the production process, continuously check the printing effect, whether the die-cutting is clean, whether the pressure line is full, and whether there are any quality issues such as bursting lines.
3、 Materials Science Knowledge
Understand the object of your processing and the auxiliary materials used.
Corrugated cardboard:
Types: A/B/C/E/F ridges, and their combinations (such as AB ridges).
Raw paper: the weight and material (kraft paper, tea board paper, etc.) of facial paper, inner paper, and corrugated paper.
Characteristics: Cardboards of different materials and shapes have varying strength, stiffness, printability, and line pressing properties.
Printing materials:
Water based ink: Understand its composition, viscosity, pH control, and drying principle.
Printing Plate: Types, Hardness, Thickness, and Their Effects on Printing Results of Flexographic Plates.
Mesh roller: Understanding its line count (LPI) and volume (BCM) is the key to controlling ink volume.
Die cutting material:
Die cutting knives: different types (straight knives, curved knives, serrated knives, etc.) and heights.
Rubber pad/bottom roller: Understand the impact of its hardness and flatness on die-cutting life and quality.
Line pressing: Understand the impact of different heights and widths of line pressing on the effect of line pressing.
4、 Common problem analysis and solutions
This is the core of measuring the level of a captain or technician.
Printing issues: inaccurate overprinting, color deviation, paste, dirty printing, inaccurate imprints, ghosting, etc.
Die cutting issues: non threading, thread breakage, burrs, incomplete waste cleaning, inaccurate die cutting position, etc.
Slotting and crimping problems: bursting of crimping, unclear crimping, uneven slotting edges, dimensional errors, etc.
Mechanical issues: Poor paper feeding, cardboard deviation, conveyor belt slippage, abnormal vibration and noise, etc.
5、 Maintenance and upkeep knowledge
Daily maintenance: clean the machine, add oil to key lubrication points, check the air circuit and vacuum system.
Regular maintenance: Check the wear of gears, bearings, and drive belts, calibrate the level and parallelism of each unit, clean the mesh rollers, etc.
Safety operating procedures: It is necessary to be familiar with the location and usage of all safety devices (emergency stop buttons, protective covers), and strictly follow safety procedures such as locking/hanging.
Summary
To become a qualified technician or manager of printing slotting and die-cutting machines, you need to:
From theory to practice: not only do we need to know "how to adjust", but we also need to know "why we adjust it this way".
Having systematic thinking: viewing equipment, materials, and processes as a whole, a problem may be caused by multiple factors.
Attention to detail and precision: Carton processing is a millimeter level art, and even small deviations may result in the entire batch of products being scrapped.
Continuous learning: New materials, new processes, and new equipment are constantly emerging, and it is necessary to maintain a learning mindset.
Your message must be between 20-3,000 characters!
