Set up and control flatbed die cutting machines
Overview
This standard covers the configuration, operation and control of digital flatbed die cutting machines.
It applies if you operate a flatbed die cutting digital machine, in a large format digital printing environment and you are responsible for the final cutting of the printed product.
Flatbed die cutting machines can be used on many substrates including paper, board and metal using different cutting tools to suit the substrate.
You will be required to operate the machine from the selection of job from the dialogue box, selection of cutting tool to finished product.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
Make flatbed die cutting machine ready for production
- prepare your work area and machinery so it is safe and ready for production in accordance with organisational procedures
- check that all the details and materials for the job are available
- select correct job from dialogue box and transfer correct file
- select correct cutting tool for the substrate
- select cutting height and width to suit image and substrate
- set cutting speed to suit cutting tool and substrate
- position substrate in the right place on machine bed
- activate vacuum on bed and extraction unit in line with manufacturer's instructions
- produce and inspect a sample against the company's quality standard
- report any machine faults that is not your job to correct in accordance with organisational procedures* ***Control the operation of flatbed die cutting machines
**
11. run the die cutting machine at the required speed, in a safe and efficient manner in accordance with organisational procedures
12. maintain sufficient supplies of materials throughout the run
13. check at regular intervals that quality standards and job specifications are met, including the quality of the cut and finishing accuracy
14. resolve any machine problems that arise on the run that affect quality or productivity in line with manufacturer's instructions and organisational guidelines
15. record accurate production and quality assurance details in accordance with organisational requirements
16. follow the correct procedure for the removal of waste
17. stack work in a safe way, using the approved method
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- your duties and responsibilities for health and safety as defined by any specific legislation covering your job role
- hazards and risks in the workplace, their assessment and the action to take to deal with them
- manufacturers' and suppliers' health and safety instructions/advice
- how to stop a machine in the event of an emergency
- the law as it affects printing: defamation, copyright and ownership of images, obscenity, incitement, forgery, data protection
- ethical and employment issues relevant to printing: confidentiality
- how to manage print with time-sensitive or restricted release dates
- how to manage high value products or print with a high risk of theft
- how to communicate with colleagues and suppliers
- workplace objectives, priorities, standards and procedures
- the range of work carried out in the workplace
- the working practices existing in the workplace
- the different types of resource, including labour, materials, machinery
- the relationship between resource usage and profitability
- how to maximise productivity
- how to transmit digital files
- file management procedures
- the operation of flatbed cutting machines
- the uses of flatbed die cutting machines
- the different cutting tools to suit different substrates including paper, board and metal
- the effect of different cutting heights, widths and speeds
- appropriate positioning for substrates
- the causes and treatment of common faults: raw material faults, processing faults, machine faults
- administrative procedures: scheduling, recording and reporting
- product labelling
- the legal requirements for the classification, storage, carriage and disposal of waste
- any specific environmental legislation that covers processes in your company
- the control of pollution
- the main features of quality assurance and quality control systems
- techniques for controlling quality
- the kinds of problems that may need to be solved
- sources of information
- techniques for assessing machine faults
- the range and characteristics of paper, board and other commonly used substrates
- the range and characteristics of inks, toners and coatings
- maintaining the quality of materials during storage and handling