3i4 MODERN PAPER-MAKING
static electricity in the paper during its passage through the cutter, enabling
the latter to be run at higher speeds and minimizes broke. It is quite safe for
the operatives and takes practically no current.
It is usual to employ duplicate sets of reelstands so that one set of reels can be
loaded while the other set is being run off on the cutter. According to the
space available, various methods are used for bringing the new set of reels into
position for feeding into the cutter. Where the two sets of reel bearings are
arranged horizontally behind the cutter, one above the other, the top set of
reels is loaded by an overhead crane in the usual way while the bottom set of
reels is being cut. While the top set is being run off, the bottom set is
loaded in position by a trolley running on track rails arranged between
the stands. The trolley is provided with hydraulic raising and lowering gear.
By another method the two sets of reelstands are mounted on a turnable
which is rotated by hand or by an electric motor to bring a fresh set of reels into
position. In one case the sets of stationary reelstands have been mounted side
by side, and the cutter mounted on a travelling carriage, enabling it to move
sideways from one set of reelstands to the other.
The Guillotine.—'Ilit guillotine is an essential part of the cutting equip-
ment. Its function is to trim or subdivide sheets cut by the rotary cutter. It
is the only cutter used in a 'hand-made' mill. It consists of a heavy frame
supporting a level table, on which the sheets are placed. A cutting or shearing
blade works diagonally in upright guides. In close contact with the cutting
blade is another blade which is blunt on its lower edge. The latter is worked
by a foot lever, and is pulled down on the handful of sheets, holding them
firm and solid, close to the proposed line of the cut. The cutting blade slides
down in contact with this blade with a sideways and downwards motion,
similar to that which is made by a knife held in the hand. At the same time
power is added to the clamp, to fix the paper more firmly.
The mechanism is so arranged that only one chop or cut is made by the
action of pulling over a lever. The blade then ascends, and stops at the top
of the guides, and the holding blade is released. The action is assisted by the
momentum of a heavy fly-wheel, which is automatically thrown out of action
when the knife ascends. An upright at the back of the table is movable to
take the required size of sheet The distance from this upright to the cut is
indicated by a sliding gauge at the side of the table, or by a gauge worked by
a steel ribbon. A side plate at right angles to the back plate is also provided to
enable dead square trimming to be done.
By means of this machine sheets may be trimmed and cut dead square, or
*slit* into small sizes. Small sheets are usually cut double on the rotary cutter
and cut into two on the guillotine.