Coil Slitting FAQs: All You Need To Know

  • By Vivien Kinnear
  • •
  • 02 Feb, 2016
  • •
Coil slitting is a process that involves cutting of wide metal coils into narrower coils. While the slit pieces acquire a smaller width, their length remains the same as that of the larger coil. Prior to being slit though, the original coils have to be placed on an uncoiler drum for uncoiling and then flattened on a leveller before they are ready for splitting. 

What Determines The Blade Configuration During The Slitting?

Coil slitting can be applied on both coil and sheet rolls. The blades on the slitter have to be adjusted based on the tolerance that needs to be maintained throughout the slitting, and the type and thickness of the material being slit. To achieve uniform results, the outcome has to be assessed and adjustments made as needed with each operation.

Note, however, while each metal work piece has its own optimal knife clearance, achieving an accurate clearance is more challenging with thinner metal.

What Are Some Of The Problems Encountered In Coil Slitting?

During slitting, edge waves, crossbow, knife marks, burrs, camber and inconsistent slit widths can be experienced. While some of these problems may arise due to poor material quality, they are more often caused by irregularities that occur in the system during the coil slitting process. For instance, if the blades are set too tight or too far apart, the slit edge may become rough and even.

The blades must therefore be properly set for the line between the nick and the break to be straight and clean.

How Does Tooling Affect The Process?

Tooling is one of the most significant variables when it comes to coil slitting. High quality and well maintained tooling will play a big part in ensuring the creation of fine edges. Still, it’s worth noting that despite the advancements in the slitting equipment available today, no standard formula is applied for every material.

With regard to horizontal knife clearance for instance, a different clearance may be required for the same metal if it is not from the same source or of the same thickness.

Slitting may seem like a straightforward process, but on the contrary, it is quite complex. For any coils to be split with precision, the tooling and knife clearance have to be accurate. Because of this, it is important for the machines to be regularly inspected by and expert, and equally important for the operators to be trained on effective use.

Here at All Alloy Slitting Services, we provide slitting and shearing services to facilities based in Birmingham and other parts of the UK. We take time to handle each slitting procedure and constantly monitor the results to ensure a flawless outcome each time.

To obtain more information on the services we provide, contact us today either by phone or via our website’s online contact form.