What should you pay attention to when printing and packaging cutting machines?

1. Safety operating regulations (personal and equipment safety)

(1) Prevent mechanical damage

It is strictly forbidden to enter the processing area with limbs: When the equipment is running, never put your hands, head or other body parts into the movement range of the cutting head. When cutting small parts, use non-metallic tweezers to pick them up, never use your hands directly.
Proper attire: Wear tight-fitting work clothes, a work cap, and long hair tied up. It is strictly prohibited to operate the equipment while wearing gloves to prevent the gloves from getting caught in moving parts.
Be familiar with the emergency stop button: Confirm the location of the emergency stop button before turning on the machine. If you encounter any emergency, take a photo immediately.

(2) Safety in using electricity

The power cord must be intact and grounded reliably.
Non-professionals are prohibited from opening the electrical control box for maintenance or wiring.
Material fastening is key: the material must be flat and securely fastened to the work platform.
Use vacuum adsorption: If the equipment is equipped with a vacuum adsorption pump, ensure that the air holes on the table are clear and the adsorption area is as large as possible to ensure that the material does not move during the cutting process.
Use physical clamps: If there is no vacuum adsorption, reliable tools such as vise and long clamps must be used to fix the four sides of the material. Material displacement is the primary cause of cutting misalignment, tool damage and even machine collisions.

2. Production process and process points (to ensure product quality)

Preliminary document preparation:
Bridging (micro-joining): In CAD design files, bridging points must be added for small parts or internal structures that need to remain in position after cutting. Prevent parts from falling off, shifting during the cutting process, and being picked up by the cutter head to scratch the surface of the material.
Path optimization: Set the cutting path reasonably to reduce idle movement and improve efficiency. For complex graphics, the cutting sequence of "first inside, then outside" can be used.

Tool selection and installation:
Choose the right tool:
Vibrating knife/drag knife: highly versatile, suitable for cutting cardboard, stickers, foam, leather, etc.
Round knife: suitable for cutting rolled materials or thin sheets, with excellent straight-line cutting effect and high speed.
Creasing knife/half-cut knife: used to create crease or half-cut effects with extremely high depth control requirements.
Milling cutter: used for cutting hard materials such as acrylic and wood boards.
Correct installation: Make sure the tool is installed in place, tight and not loose. After installation, use manual mode to test lightly and observe whether the tool shakes or is eccentric.

Parameter settings and calibration:
Knife pressure/cutting depth: This is the core parameter. It takes repeated testing to find the precise pressure that can just cut through the material without damaging the underlying protective film or platform. If the pressure is too small, the cut will not be penetrated, and if the pressure is too high, the platform and the cutter will be damaged.
Cutting speed: Find the fastest speed while ensuring cutting quality (smooth edges without burrs). The thicker and harder the material, the slower the speed should be.
Origin and compensation: The processing origin must be reset after each loading. At the same time, set the correct tool radius compensation in the software to ensure the accuracy of the cutting size.

Trial cutting principle:
Direct production is strictly prohibited! Before any large batch is cut, a trial cut must be made from a small piece of material from the batch.
Inspection content: Check whether it is cut through, whether the bridging is reasonable, whether the size is correct, and whether there are indentations on the back of the material. After confirmation, formal production can begin.

3. Maintenance and maintenance of printing and packaging cutting machines

All debris and dust on the work platform must be cleared before leaving get off work each day.
Use an air gun or brush to clean transmission components such as guide rails and screws to prevent accumulation of debris that affects accuracy and lifespan.

Regular inspection and maintenance:
Check tool wear: Check the tool tip regularly for wear or dullness and replace it in time. Worn tools will cause continuous cutting and increased burrs.
Check the transmission components: Regularly check the tightness of the belt and screw, and make adjustments if necessary. Add appropriate lubricating oil to the guide rail and screw according to the manufacturer's requirements.

Summary of operating points for printing and packaging cutting machines: