Slitter & Web Dust Removal

PROBLEM:  Dust from paper slitting operations creates severe product quality problems. Slitter dust is the microscopic particles that adhere to the web or escape into the atmosphere as slitting knives cut through paper.  Vacuum heads placed after the slitting knives cannot remove this dust without damaging the finished product.  Lower suction allows dust to remain on the web surface creating quality problems and subsequent printing problems.  Higher suction deflects the web.

SOLUTION: Compass engineers developed a unique intake hood to capture slitter dust at the nip point.  These hoods are positioned directly behind the slitter knife to vacuum up dust as it’s created.  Hoods are attached to the knife guard so they move easily with the slitter knives. 

Vacuum power is provided by high-performance portable vacuums or larger central vacuums for systems picking up dust from 15 or more knives.  The higher CFM of these larger systems requires independent separation / filtration units ahead of the vacuum. 

Vacuums are attached to a manifold in order to distribute vacuum power to the individual intake hoods.  To keep the slitter & web dust removal system operating at peak efficiency each dust intake hood is connected to a manual ball valve at the manifold to shut off vacuum power to hoods not in use.