The actual cutting action is the fastest part of the guillotining process, often bracketed by a series of tasks including lifting, jogging, airing and turning. First, the sheets are knocked up square (either manually or using a jogger), then the pile is built. After guillotining, the cut stock and waste have to be removed.

Digital’s downward pressure on turnaround times and margins has sparked interest in automating the cutting workflow. There’s a growing appreciation that an efficient guillotining workflow depends on streamlining the flow of paper to and from the knife. Joggers are available with varying degrees of automation including, at the top end, air tables to ease movement of the pile onto the cutting table.

The vast majority of guillotines sold today are programmable, which means that the position of the back-gauge and the operation of the clamp are controlled electronically.

It is important to decide whether fully- or semi-automatic would best suit your production needs. Using fully-automatic, once the paper is loaded manually, the programme takes over and performs the cuts without operator intervention. On a semi-automatic guillotine, only the back gauge moves automatically and the operator has to initiate the cut as each position is arrived at.

Regular knife maintenance is vital – a blunt knife will cause sheets to stick and collators to jam. Operators need to follow a religious regime of daily knife checks.

Because guillotines are potentially hazardous, it is a good idea to read guides on how to use them safely, available at www.hsebooks.com.

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Peter Jolly is marketing manager at Duplo UK

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Want to write a Technical Tutorial? Email Joanne Gardner at joanne.gardner@haymarket.com