RK-IMS 320 / 450 Intermittent Semi Rotary Die Cutting Machine With Full Cutting Facility

The RK-IMS 320 / 450 is a half cut full cut machine built on the intermittent semi rotary principle. Instead of the web running continuously through a rotary die sized to the repeat, the servo drives pull the web forward by the label repeat length, the magnetic cylinder makes its cut, and the cycle repeats. Because feed length is a number entered on the HMI, one common magnetic cylinder (120 or 150 teeth) covers every repeat from 25 mm to 470 mm; only the flexible die changes between jobs. Servo based dancing units sit before and after the die cutting unit.

Two cutting modes are available. In length feed mode the machine cuts plain, unprinted stock by the set repeat. In print mark mode the Panasonic scanner reads the print mark on printed rolls and the servo corrects the feed so every cut lands on the printed label. The machine runs at 150 to 200 strokes per minute depending on repeat length, and it cuts either half, leaving the liner intact for roll rewinding, or full, dropping finished labels onto the conveyor.

Both Full Cutting and Half Cutting on One Machine

Select half cut for labels on a liner that rewind as a roll, or full cut for loose labels, tags and cards. Both systems are built into the machine, and full cut labels are collected on a short and a long conveyor.

Common Magnetic Cylinder, 120 or 150 Teeth

A single magnetic cylinder carries flexible dies for every job, in a 3 roller die cutting system. There is no cylinder change between repeats, which cuts tooling cost and changeover time compared with a fixed rotary die per size.

25 mm to 470 mm Repeat Length

The die cutting repeat is entered on the HMI within the 25-470 mm range, so small pharma labels and larger packaging labels, tags and cards run on the same machine.

Individual Servo Drives

Infeed, outfeed and the die cutting unit are each driven by an individual servo motor and drive (Schneider or Inovance). Servo pulling keeps each step accurate, which is what holds the cut in register on printed labels. The die cutting unit engages and disengages pressure automatically when the machine is switched on and off.

Re-Pass Scanner With Sliding Assembly

For printed rolls, a Panasonic re-pass scanner mounted on a sliding assembly reads the print mark. The operator positions it quickly for each job and selects print mark mode on screen.

Separate Plain and Printed Label Modules

The 7" Schneider touch HMI offers one module for plain label die cutting and another for printed label die cutting, chosen on screen rather than by mechanical re-setting.

Servo Dancing Units and Closed Loop Tension

Servo based dancing units (Schneider or Inovance) sit before and after the die cutting unit. The unwinding and rewinding units each have an auto electronic tension controller with closed loop system, on 3" air shafts for rolls up to Ø600 mm. An imported ultrasonic web guide, with a splicing table and paper holder, is fitted on the unwinding side.

Waste Matrix, Slitting and Full Cut Collection

The waste matrix is rewound by a waste matrix rewinding unit with snow ball system, and an online slitting unit with rotary and shear blades is built in. Full cut labels travel on a short and a long conveyor with a vacuum system for collection, and an adjustable collection tray sits at the end of the long conveyor. An anti-static eliminator bar with static generator is fitted.

The roll, up to Ø600 mm, is loaded on the 3" air shaft of the unwinding unit. The auto electronic tension controller holds closed loop tension and the ultrasonic web guide keeps the edge in line as the web approaches the cutting station. The operator chooses the mode on the HMI: length feed for plain stock, or print mark mode for printed rolls, in which case the Panasonic scanner is slid into position over the print mark. The repeat length is entered within the 25-470 mm range and the flexible die for the job is fitted to the magnetic cylinder.

On each cycle the infeed and outfeed servo drives pull the web forward by exactly one repeat, and the magnetic cylinder cuts. In half cut mode the die cuts through the face stock only; the waste matrix is rewound on the waste matrix rewinding unit and the labels on their liner wind on the rewinding unit, up to Ø600 mm. In full cut mode the die cuts right through the material, and the separated labels are carried on the conveyor with vacuum system to the collection tray. The machine cycles at 150 to 200 strokes per minute depending on the repeat length.

• Multi-size label plants – converters who run many label sizes and want one cylinder with a flexible die per job.
• Half-cut sticker labels – self-adhesive labels kiss-cut on the liner and rewound as rolls.
• Full-cut labels, tags and cards – hang tags, cards and loose labels cut through and collected on the conveyor.
• Printed label converting – flexo or digitally printed rolls cut in register using the print mark mode.
• Blank label rolls – plain stock cut by length feed for thermal and barcode printer users.

The RK-IMS 320 / 450 is built for label and tag stocks up to 310 mm or 440 mm wide – self-adhesive paper and synthetic label stock on a liner for half cutting, and paper, board and synthetic tag or card materials in roll form for full cutting, roll to roll or roll to sheet. Board and card stock in roll form can be full cut and collected as loose pieces on the conveyor. The ultrasonic web guide keeps clear and reflective webs tracking correctly. Die selection and cutting pressure depend on the material, so share your stocks with RK before the machine is configured.

RK Label Printing Machinery Pvt. Ltd. has manufactured label printing and converting machinery in Ahmedabad, Gujarat since 1995. The company runs three manufacturing units and supplies customers in 23+ countries. The intermittent die cutter is built with Schneider and Inovance servo drives, a Schneider HMI, a Panasonic scanner and an imported ultrasonic web guide, and RK also supplies the magnetic cylinders and flexible dies it runs on. Installation, operator training and spares come from the same team that built the machine.

• Job variety: if you change label sizes often, the common magnet cylinder with a flexible die per job is the main saving of an intermittent machine over fixed rotary dies.
• Repeat range: 25 mm to 470 mm – check your smallest and largest label lengths.
• Half cut, full cut or both: the RK-IMS 320 / 450 does both. If you only ever half cut and rewind long runs, a continuous rotary die cutter may be faster.
• Paper width: 310 mm on the RK-IMS 320 or 440 mm on the RK-IMS 450. Tell RK the width of your widest roll.
• Output: 150 to 200 strokes per minute, multiplied by labels across and along the die.
• Power: 8 HP 3 phase.
• Floor space: about 10.5 ft long by 3 ft wide.

The price of an RK-IMS 320 / 450 depends on the configuration – flexible dies, scanner, conveyor and options. RK quotes prices ex-works Ahmedabad with GST at 18% applicable. Engineer travel and stay for installation and training at your site are borne by the customer. Share your label sizes, materials, half cut and full cut requirements and expected output, and RK will recommend the configuration and quote against it.