Here are some "insider tips" from Eastman's Technical Service Team for cutting cloth and traditional textiles with the Eastman automated cutting systems:

Blind and Shade Material  - Various fabrics used for making blinds and window shades are cut with a 2” Round Knife on an Eastman cutting system. It is important that the material is cut perpendicular without creating any wave in the material when cutting. A drag knife may be used for small circles under 1” diameter or notches.

Cottons – Eastman recommends cutting cottons with 1” or 2” round knifes. Depending on the thread counts, you can get hangers if blade depth and pressure are not properly set. Ask the Eastman technical service team about our standard depth limiters to protect your cutting surfaces!

Canvas – Canvas used for tarps, tents and seat covers are cut with a 1” or 2” round knife. Material cuts easily without hangers. A drag knife may be used for small circles under 1” diameter or notches. Watch a video of a similar process on the Eastman Eagle Conveyor at a tent/awning manufacturing facility.

Fiber Batting – Fiber Batting is used in the furniture industry and is a thick compressible fiber.  Due to the thickness a plastic overlay or an EasiHold system needs to be used in conjunction with a Fiber Cutter Tool Head.  A 3” round knife is used to cut the fiber batting on the Eastman cutting system. It provides a higher clearance for the fiber at the tool base.

Lycra – Lycra is a cut with a 1” or 2” round knife. Due to its porous and stretchy nature it is recommended to use a plastic overlay to prevent the material from moving while cutting. Eastman recommends a feeding device with power assist and loop sensor to reduce any stretch when feeding onto the table or conveyor.

Upholstery – Upholstery for sofa, chairs and office furniture are cut using a 1” or 2” round knife. This material generally has different porosity and thread counts per inch so different cut pressures and blade exposures are required. All Eastman cutting systems are equipped with depth limiters to protect cutting surfaces.