CORKING THE STEEL-DIE FORM
After the make-ready for a cutting and creasing form has been completed, the form must be corked so as to prevent the sheets of box-board from adhering to the cutting rules as each impression is taken. One good method of corking is gluing rows of small-size corks to the wood furniture in the form, the rows of corks placed on either side of all cutting rules in the form. In the case of metal furniture, the corks are glued to flat, solid places in the metal furniture, or are inserted in the small, open places in labor-saving lead furniture, as the case may be. The corks when properly glued or inserted, should stand up about one-quarter-of-an-inch above the steel cutting rules, so that when an impression is taken on a sheet of box-board, the corks will have force enough to “push” the sheet off the cutting rules.
Another method of corking is that done with long strips of cork, high enough for the purpose. These strips of cork are glued on the metal or wood furniture in the same way as individual corks are applied. The Armstrong Cork Company, of Pittsburgh, Pa., can supply cork in strips made expressly for use on cutting and creasing presses. Use LePage glue in applying the corks, and put on plenty of strip cork, or individual corks, so that the sheets will leave the form without breaking.
FEEDING THE SHEETS OF BOX-BOARD
The operator of a cutting and creasing press cannot be too careful when feeding sheets into the press. It is dangerous work, and the feeder must be constantly watchful over his hands. Never reach the hand in the press after a sheet which may stick to the form, or after sections of a sheet which may have broken apart in the cutting. Your hands are too precious to “take any chances.” Keep corking the form until all sheets leave the cutting rules without any difficulty. Bend the sheets of box-board, in small lots, so that the shape of the sheets makes easy feeding. Always be careful when feeding, and keep your eyes on your work.
STRIPPING
After the sheets of box-board have been cut and creased, they are taken to the finishing room where girls and boys do the stripping, which means removing all waste material from the sheets. About fifty sheets at a time are stripped. Intricate cut-outs, box-corners, fancy shapes, etc., are “hammered out” with the aid of a mallet. A small pile of the stock is laid over the edge of a large wooden box, and with a blow of the mallet the waste material falls out into the box.
GLUING FOLDING BOXES
There are several well-known gluing machines on the market which are designed particularly for gluing together folding boxes or cartons. The ordinary gluing machine is fitted with a feeding table, a series of steel rollers, a glue fountain and a gluing wheel. As the operator feeds the sheets, hot glue is applied to the flaps. The operator then folds each sheet so that the glued flap is in the right position. The series of steel rollers then press the glued flaps firmly together, completing the operation.
