In paper slitting production, many problems are usually blamed on machine accuracy:

• Paper sticking together after cutting

• Uneven rolls during rewinding

• Paper tracking problems

• Dust attraction on the paper surface

    But in many cases, the real cause behind these issues is something that cannot be seen — static electricity.

During high-speed slitting, paper continuously passes through rollers, blades, and guiding systems. Friction and separation generate electrical charges on the paper surface. When these charges         cannot be released properly, static electricity begins to affect the entire production process.

    Which materials are more likely to have static problems?

Generally, the smoother, drier, and more insulating the material is, the easier it is to build up static.

Common examples include:

• Plastic films, aluminum foil laminates, and composite films

• High-gloss coated paper, art paper, and glass card paper

• White cardboard and coated board

• Thin paper such as writing paper, copy paper, and packaging paper

Materials with coating, varnishing, or lamination treatment are especially sensitive because their surfaces do not allow electrical charges to escape easily.

Low humidity makes the situation worse. During winter or in air-conditioned workshops, dry air reduces moisture in the paper and static electricity becomes much harder to control.

    How does static electricity affect slitting production?

Static problems can create several production challenges:

    Paper sticking

Sheets may attract each other after cutting, making separation and stacking difficult.

    Unstable cutting

Paper can stick to rollers or move irregularly, causing tracking problems and poor cutting results.

    Quality issues

Static attracts dust and paper particles, which can affect printing, laminating, and other processes.

    Poor rewinding

Residual static may cause uneven rolls and irregular edges.

In extreme cases, strong static discharge may also create safety concerns.

    How can static problems be reduced?

    Static control requires a combination of equipment, environment, and operating conditions.

    1. Static elimination devices

For modern slitting machines, ionizing bars are one of the most effective methods.

The recommended installation points are usually:

    After unwinding, before the slitting knives

This helps remove static generated when the roll is opened and reduces paper movement and dust attraction.

    Immediately after the slitting knives

This is the most important position.

The cutting process creates strong friction and separation, making the knife area the main static generation point.

    Before rewinding

Removing remaining static before the final winding process helps achieve cleaner rolls and better stacking.

    Correct installation makes the difference

Even with a static eliminator installed, the result depends greatly on positioning.

Typical installation recommendations:

• Distance from paper surface: 20–50 mm

• Coverage across the full paper width

• Proper angle adjustment for effective ion coverage

• Reliable grounding of equipment

Different materials may require different approaches:

    Normal paper
→ Conductive brush + grounding + humidity control

    Coated and high-gloss paper
→ Ionizing bar installation recommended

    Film and laminated materials
→ Industrial static eliminator + ionizing system

    Static control is part of stable production

In high-speed paper slitting, static electricity cannot always be completely avoided. However, with the right setup, it can be effectively controlled.

Many production problems do not come from the machine itself, but from small factors that are often overlooked.

Controlling static electricity helps reduce adjustments, improve cutting stability, and maintain consistent production quality.

Remember:

Dry materials, smooth surfaces, high speed, and low humidity are the main causes of static problems.

The slitting point is where static control matters most.

Ionization, grounding, and humidity control together create the most effective solution.

    At CHM, we continue to focus on practical problems faced by paper converters and provide solutions that help machines perform better in real production environments.

    CHM | Supporting Stable Paper Converting Production Worldwide.