Overview of Thermal Transfer Ribbon Slitter Rewinder

Thermal transfer ribbon(TTR) slitter rewinder can convert carbon ribbon into desired widths based on print specifications. Thermal transfer technology is a printing process, thermal printhead heats and melts ink on ribbon, which can be absorbed by the label materials to form various patterns. Carbon ribbon usually consists of protection layer, pet based layer and ink layer, and the ink layer is generally classified as resin matrix, wax matrix and resin-wax compound matrix depending on different content. TTR converting machines are widely used for slitting and rewinding various materials such as heat transfer ribbon, fax ribbon, barcode ribbon, fax ribbon, code ribbon, etc.

Types of barcode ribbon slitting machines

1) Small carbon ribbon slitter rewinder machine. Mini-type TTR slitting and rewinding machine use razor slitting method for rolls with narrow width and small diameter unwind. The width is generally within 500mm, and the unwinding diameter is less than 300mm. The cutting speed is relatively low, not exceed 200 meters per minute. Membrane guiding and connecting process for ribbon web material is usually use manual manner on TTR platform. Equipped with 1″ inflatable shaft or 1/2″ inflatable shaft, flexible in replacement. In addition to narrow-width slitting, it can also rewind long rolls into short rolls, and rewind 1/2″ into 1″ rolls or revert, very suitable for converting finished rolls with small or medium size.

2) Automatic TTR ribbon converting machine. The effective cutting width is about 1000mm, and unwinding diameter typically does not exceed 800mm. The cutting speed will not more than 500 meters/minute, and the guiding process for barcode ribbon can be semi-automatic or fully automatic. Depending on auto TTR leader trailer table, material loss can be reduced. Equipped with 1 ″ air shaft or 1/2 ″ air shaft and high-precision adaptive tension control system based on the roll diameter and machine speed. Overall system is modular in design, convenient installation and maintenance, proper for high-efficiency batch cutting applications for thermal transfer ribbon.

Technology of carbon ribbon converting machines

Thermal transfer ribbon tape requires slitter machines with high cutting accuracy, and strict limitations on width tolerance. The base material of TTR is polyester film with very thin thickness and easily damaged during converting process and impact on product quality. Especially in long-term operation, the carbon tapes should be parallel to paper core during rewinding, and the precision of key components such as the rollers or belt wheels may decrease due to wear or temperature changes, result in a series of flatness issues including longitudinal stripes and wrinkles. It may also break when the edge is subjected to excessive stress. In addition, control the cutting speed according to technological demands is necessary, it’s not allowed to blindly increase the speed in order to improve the production efficiency. In practical work, it’s helpful to subdivide the specifications and types of different carbon ribbons, continuously adjust and optimize the technical parameters based on the quality of finished rolls, and find out the best application status of equipment.

The tension control of TTR slitting machines directly affects the ribbon roll quality. Excessive tension may cause tensile damage to the PET base film, or even the ink layer may lose powder due to deformation, have a great influence on the final printing effect. When the tension is not enough, it’s easily cause wrinkle problems and lead to white lines or indentation during printing process. Loose wind can also result in quality issues such as paper core deviation, ribbon sideslip and so on. Therefore, a proper tension can ensure uniform stress on ribbon in slitting and rewinding process. This requires that the TTR slitter manufacturers are familiar with material properties and have rich debugging experience, choose an appropriate tension range. Carbon ribbon suppliers can make adjustments based on actual status during use and keep a process data record.

Application of TTR cutting machines

TTR carbon tape cutting machine has become an important production equipment in fields of label or hangtag industry. In order to make high-quality ribbon products, thermal transfer ribbon manufacturers require not only high-end TTR slitting rewinding hardware machines with stable performance and precise control system, but also need good software support such as a clean and dust-free workshop and quality skilled operators. During the cutting process, ribbon materials easily adsorb dust particles and form defects on surface that affect end product quality. Therefore, the production process must be carried out in dust-free environment, while maintain a optimum temperature and humidity to avoid the bad effects due to static electricity and dust. Operators of slitter rewinder machine should possess certain professional skills, not only have knowledge about ribbon, but also be familiar with the performance and operation and maintenance methods of converter, so as to be able to timely and effectively avoid and remove machine faults. In case of emergency, first protect safety of personnel, then carefully analyze the cause of breakdown, record the fault phenomenon. if the problem cannot be solved, please contact the manufacturer of thermal transfer ribbon slitter rewinder for troubleshooting as soon as possible.