A slitter rewinder is one of the most critical machines in film, paper, and foil converting lines. Its job — to cut wide rolls into precise narrow strips — demands mechanical accuracy, stable tension, and clean blade performance.
Without regular maintenance, even a high-end machine can develop alignment errors, burr edges, or uneven roll tension that compromise product quality.

1. Daily Maintenance: Cleanliness and Visual Inspection

Cleanliness is the foundation of precision. At the end of each shift:

• Remove dust and debris from rollers, blades, and tension sensors using lint-free cloths.

• Check the knife area for adhesive or film residue that could affect blade sharpness.

• Inspect the web path — guide rollers, nip rollers, and lay-on rollers must rotate freely.

• Verify air supply and pressure for pneumatic knife holders and brakes.

• Confirm safety systems (emergency stops, interlocks, and light curtains) are fully functional.

A clean machine prevents material build-up, miscuts, and sensor errors during production.

2. Weekly Maintenance: Lubrication and Calibration

Once a week, conduct mechanical checks to maintain smooth operation.

• Lubricate bearings and guide rails using the manufacturer-recommended grease.

• Check belt tension and pulley alignment to avoid vibration and slippage.

• Inspect the knife shaft coupling for wear and tightness.

• Clean sensors and reflectors in the edge-position control (EPC) system.

• Calibrate tension load cells to maintain constant winding force.

Proper lubrication and calibration prevent premature part wear and guarantee consistent cutting force.

3. Monthly Maintenance: Blade and Shaft Accuracy

The cutting system defines product precision. Monthly servicing should include:

• Sharpen or replace blades — dull edges cause burrs, dust, or uneven strips.

• Check knife overlap and clearance between upper and lower blades.

• Inspect spacers, collars, and blade holders for deformation or scratches.

• Measure knife shaft run-out with a dial indicator to confirm concentricity.

• Examine rewind shafts and differential cores for slippage or damage.

Maintaining sharp, well-aligned blades ensures clean edges and exact roll width every time.

4. Quarterly Maintenance: Drive and Control Systems

Every few months, the drive and control electronics should be thoroughly examined.

• Test servo motors and inverters for abnormal noise or overheating.

• Update PLC software and backup settings.

• Inspect encoder feedback cables for wear or loose connectors.

• Check brake pads, clutch discs, and torque controllers.

• Verify synchronization between unwind, Slitting, and rewind speeds.

Regular control system maintenance ensures smooth acceleration and stable web tension — essential for high-speed production lines.

5. Semiannual Maintenance: Roller Alignment and Safety Audits

Twice a year, conduct a detailed inspection of machine geometry and safety compliance.

• Measure roller parallelism and correct any misalignment that could cause wrinkles or telescoping.

• Rebalance dynamic rollers to eliminate vibration.

• Check frame bolts and base plates for loosening or corrosion.

• Conduct a safety audit — verify emergency stop response time and guarding integrity.

Alignment accuracy directly affects film tracking, edge quality, and operator safety.

6. Maintenance Best Practices

• Keep a maintenance logbook recording all inspections and replacements.

• Use only OEM-approved lubricants, blades, and bearings.

• Train operators to recognize early signs of tension instability or edge deviation.

• Schedule preventive maintenance during planned downtime to avoid costly unplanned stops.

A disciplined maintenance routine can extend machine life by years while maintaining consistent production quality.

Final Thoughts

Precision cutting in a slitter rewinder depends not only on technology but also on careful, consistent maintenance.
By following daily, weekly, monthly, and periodic inspection steps, operators ensure stable performance, high accuracy, and long equipment lifespan.

For advanced slitting and rewinding machines equipped with automatic tension control, servo-driven knife positioning, and intelligent monitoring systems, explore Jingwei Machinery — a trusted manufacturer delivering precision and reliability for global film, foil, and paper converting lines.