Cut-over groove starts rolls without a wrinkle.

New splicing technology reportedly accomplishes film cut-over without forming wrinkles, folds, or flaps on the new roll. Wintech Winding Technology AG in Switzerland developed its new Perfect Cut system with a high-speed knife that cuts into a groove in the contact roll. That means the web never lifts off the winding drum as in typical splicing, so there is no loss of tension on the web during a roll change. The knife makes a spiral cut because the groove is at a 20% angle to the machine direction. A metal ring on the end of the contact roll opens only at the groove location, so the knife can't accidentally cut into the roll anywhere else. Wintech installed the first Perfect Cut system nine months ago on a high-speed coating line, winding up to 1800 ft/min. Wintech, which belongs to Kiefel Extrusion GmbH, has sold six since, including two for blown film in the U.S. Tel: [phone] * www.wintech.ch