How to Choose the Right Core Cutting Machine for Your Business

Do You Need a Core Cutter?

Before we jump into the types of core cutting machines available, let’s determine whether you even need one. It might seem like an obvious question, but often when it comes to converting equipment, manufacturers understand what they need a machine to do without being able to attach a name to the equipment or process.

The easiest way to determine if you need a core cutter is to answer whether your product needs a core. If you haven’t started manufacturing yet, you may look to competitors—do their products have cores?

Otherwise, consider whether your product needs support in its finished form due to roll tension and weight. If the answer is yes, then a core is required, and a core cutter to slice the cores to the appropriate length is necessary, whether it’s in your facility or a process you outsource.

Products like paper towels or aluminum foil are rolled around a core to maintain their shape and usability. With carpet, a strong core is necessary to prevent wrinkles, which can become trip hazards, and facilitate an easier installation process.

Some Materials and Industries Do Not Require a Core Cutter

Not all industries or materials need cores. Some products can go coreless, meaning the finished good does not require a core for support, although early stages of processing often do require cores. The determining factors here are the length, weight, and tension of a product. If the material is lightweight, short-length, and loosely bound, it typically will not require a supporting core.

Wet wipes are a prime example of a product that does not need a core for support. These are rewound and packed into a canister. Wallpaper, fabric, and rubber mats often require cores at the beginning of the manufacturing process, but once they’re in the hands of consumers, they are often coreless.

Variables That Impact Your Core Cutting Needs

Now that we’ve confirmed whether you need a core for your finished converted product, let’s discuss the core cutter features you might need. The first step involved here is assessing your manufacturing process and preferences.

Automation: Does the core cutter need to be manual or automatic?

Think about how much automation your production line needs. If you’re a small business with limited runs, a manual or semi-automatic core cutter could very well be sufficient for your needs. In contrast, large-scale industrial manufacturers often require fully automated machines to keep up with high demand.

Space: What footprint do you have available for your cores and machinery?

Space is a crucial factor. Evaluate the available footprint in your facility to ensure you have the space needed for a core cutter and that it can be accommodated without disrupting your workflow.

Variable sizing: Do you use a variety of cores?

If your business deals with multiple products that require different cores, you’ll need a core cutter that can handle various specifications. Certain machines can handle cores with diverse diameters, thicknesses, lengths, and materials. This flexibility is ideal for converting master rolls of material to smaller rolls or producing a range of wound products.

Typical Core Cutter Types

You’ve assessed your needs—now it’s time to match those needs with a core cutter. Let’s briefly cover the main options available to manufacturers.

Manual Core Cutters

Ideal for small-scale operations, manual core cutters require human operators. They’re the most affordable option, but they also have the most potential for human error and do not offer the speed required for high-volume production.

Semi-Automatic Core Cutters

These machines offer a balance between manual operation and automation. They require some human involvement, such as manual loading or settings adjustments, but they’re able to handle medium-scale production efficiently.

Fully Automatic Core Cutters

Perfect for large-scale manufacturers, fully automatic core cutters require minimal human oversight. They typically offer remote monitoring and handle adjustments on their own, making them ideal for manufacturing businesses with high production demands.

Specialized Core Cutting Machines

Manufacturers with unique production requirements can have specialized core cutting machines custom-built to meet their specifications. These machines can be manual, semi-automatic, or fully automatic, depending on your needs.

Industries That Use Core Cutting Machines

Core cutting machines are used for both consumer and industrial products. Here’s a quick roundup of both.

Household Products

Core cutting machines are essential in producing everyday goods like:

• Paper towels
• Toilet paper
• Aluminum foil
• Wax paper
• Wrapping paper
• Masking tape

Industrial Products

These products require cores to withstand significant weight or the tension of winding and unwinding:

• Film and flexible packaging
• Textiles
• Non-wovens
• Carpeting
• Labels
• Tape

Finding the Core Cutter You Need

Selecting the right core cutting machine can be consequential for your business. To start, you must understand both your manufacturing needs and the types of core cutters available to you. This will allow you to make an informed decision that balances your needs with your budget.

If you’re unsure where to begin, contact our team at Pinnacle Converting and we can help you choose the best core cutting machine for your process.