When setting up a slitting machine, operators usually need to run a few “pulls” (trial passes of material) before the cut pattern becomes accurate and stable. This ensures the blades are aligned, the tension is correct, and the rewound rolls are uniform.

Factors That Affect the Number of Pulls

1. Material Type

• Thin films and foils require more careful adjustments to avoid wrinkles or edge damage.

• Paper or cardboard stabilizes faster.

2. Blade Setup

• Razor, shear, or crush cut blades need precise positioning.

• Misalignment may require several test pulls before achieving a clean edge.

3. Machine Type

• automatic slitter rewinders with computerized controls may need only 1–2 pulls.

• Manual or semi-automatic machines may need 3–5 pulls to fine-tune.

4. Operator Experience

• Skilled operators can adjust blade overlap, angle, and tension faster, reducing waste.

5. Tension and Web Control

• If web tension isn’t correct, multiple test pulls are required to stabilize the cut pattern.

Typical Industry Practice

• On modern slitter rewinders: 1–2 pulls are usually enough to achieve the correct Slitting pattern.

• On older or manual machines: It may take 3–5 pulls before the slitting is consistent.

• In high-precision industries (electronics, specialty films): Operators may run extra pulls to verify edge quality before full production.

Conclusion

The number of pulls before a slitting machine achieves a correct cutting pattern depends on machine type, material, and operator skill. In general, expect:

• 1–2 pulls for modern automatic machines.

• 3–5 pulls for older or manual setups.

This short trial process ensures the slitting width, edge quality, and roll tension are correct before starting continuous production.