Drag Knife Cutter Manufacturer
MC drag knife cutters are a type of CNC cutting machine. Their blade rotates freely in the holder for high-precision contour cutting. You don’t need cutting dies — just import your design files, and the machine cuts the material accurately.
Our machines are equipped with a CNC system that controls cutting depth for kiss cutting, making them suitable for flexible materials. We also offer different blade options to meet your production needs. Please feel free to contact us if you have any needs.
Types of Drag-Knife Cutters
High-Precision Contour Cutting
Our drag knife cutters are equipped with high-precision CNC systems that control the cutting path, so the machine cuts automatically. At the same time, the blade rotates freely and aligns with the cutting direction, leaving smooth edges.
You also don’t need to worry about material shifting during cutting; our machines are equipped with a vacuum table that holds the panels in place, so all parts come out the same.
Die-Free Cutting
You simply update your design file and upload it again—there is no need to change cutting dies. The machine cuts directly from the new design, which saves you the cost of dies and supports small-batch production of various designs.
Multi-Material Compatibility
Our machines can cut many materials. You just need to set the cutting pressure and speed in the CNC system based on the material, and the machine operates automatically. Our drag knife cutters come with different blade types, so you can easily handle materials such as leather and vinyl labels with the suitable knife.
Applications of Drag Knife Cutters
The packaging industry needs cutting machines that cut and crease materials. You also have to switch designs quickly for mixed production. Our machines use die‑less cutting, so you don’t need dies and can cut different box styles fast.
The label industry requires high cutting accuracy for fine text, intricate graphics, and kiss-cut applications. Our machines provide high-precision contour cutting with controlled depth, so you get clean cuts even on intricate text.
In the luggage industry, you need a cutting machine that won’t damage leather surfaces or leave burn marks. Our machines cut with a cold blade, and the cutting head rotates freely without harming the leather.
When cutting fabric, you need to ensure the edges don’t fray and that you can cut through multiple layers. Our drag knife cutters use sharp blades to cut through fabric smoothly.
Model making requires fast conversion from design files to finished parts. With our machine, you import your drawings directly into the system to cut. Changing your design is easy, since the file goes directly from design to cutting.
- Specification of Drag Knife Cutters
| Parameter | Specification |
| Working Area | 1300×1300 mm – 1600×5000 mm |
| Cutting Method | Drag Knife Cutting |
| Cutting Accuracy | Up to ±0.05 mm |
| Repeat Positioning Accuracy | ±0.02 mm |
| Maximum Cutting Speed | Up to 1500 mm/s |
| Maximum Travel Speed | Up to 2000 mm/s |
| Drive System | Servo Motor Drive |
| Control System | CNC Control System |
| Working Table | Vacuum Table |
| Supported File Formats | DXF, AI, PLT, PDF, and More |
| Power Supply | 220V/380V, 50/60Hz |
| Supported Processes | Kiss Cutting, Through Cutting, Creasing |
Yes, a drag knife cutter is a type of CNC equipment. Our drag knife cutters use a CNC system to control the movement of the blade. You simply input commands into the control system, which generates the cutting path automatically, and the machine cuts along the path.
The blade on a drag knife cutter does not rotate on its own. Instead, it sits in a holder that can turn 360 degrees. As the machine moves, the blade follows the cutting path and keeps its edge facing the preset direction. Therefore, you can easily cut materials like adhesive labels and fabric with it.
Our drag knife cutting machine is suitable for cutting vinyl stickers. It supports kiss cutting, allowing the blade to cut through the face stock and adhesive layer without cutting the release liner. That gives you clean stickers that peel off easily.
The drag knife cutter supports automatic nesting. As a CNC machine, it features a built-in CAM system that arranges part layouts on the sheet material and calculates the optimal cutting path.
A drag knife cutter cuts by dragging the blade as the machine moves. It has a simple design and is suitable for thin, soft materials. In contrast, an oscillating knife cutter moves the blade up and down rapidly during cutting, providing fast and powerful cuts that let you handle thicker, harder materials. However, its structure is complex, and maintenance costs are higher.
Our drag knife cutter has a maximum cutting thickness of 5 mm. If you mainly cut materials such as adhesive labels and paper that are less than 1.5 mm thick, you can use our machines. If you need to cut thick materials like corrugated cardboard and leather, you can choose a heavy‑duty drag knife to prevent fraying.
What Is a Drag Knife Cutter?
A drag knife cutter is a CNC cutting machine designed for cutting flexible materials. Its blade automatically turns to follow the cutting direction, so it cuts quickly without heat damage.
Unlike laser cutters, you can perform both through cutting and kiss cutting. When cutting self-adhesive vinyl, you get clean edges without burn marks.
How Does a Drag Knife Cutter Work?
Import Design Files
First, use software on your computer to create the shapes you want to cut. Save the file in a format like DXF, AI, or PLT, then send it to the cutter’s control system. Once the system reads the file, it shows the relevant data on the screen and generates the cutting path. You can also scale or rotate the shape on the screen. Once the design file is confirmed, move to the next step.
Set Cutting Parameters
When cutting different materials, you need to set different cutting pressures. Pressure that’s too high can damage the backing or work surface, while pressure that’s too low won’t cut through the workpiece. Higher speeds are suitable for thinner materials, while lower speeds are suitable for thick materials.
Secure the Material
If the material on the worktable isn’t secured, it will shift during cutting, causing dimensional errors. That’s why our cutting machine uses a vacuum suction system to hold the material in place. Simply place the material flat on the table and turn on the vacuum pump. For very thin materials, you can use double-sided tape to secure them.
Execute Cutting Tasks
Once the material is secured, you can start the cutting process. The cutter then begins cutting along the programmed path. If you find any issues, please pause the machine immediately and make the adjustments.
How to Choose a Suitable Drag Knife Cutter?
Cutting Mode
There are two main ways a blade cuts material: through cut and kiss cut. If you need to do through cuts, we recommend a cutter with a rigid frame and a heavy-duty drag knife. This type of cutter provides high cutting pressure and cuts through material steadily.
If you only need kiss cutting, choose a cutter with a dedicated kiss-cut head and a motorized Z‑axis.
Drag Knife Type
Eccentric Drag Knife
A standard eccentric drag knife has its blade tip offset from the centerline of the holder, so the tip changes direction as the machine moves. This type of cutter has a simple design and can cut materials 2 to 3 mm thick, such as leather and thin PVC sheets. However, its steering sensitivity is low. If you don’t need high cutting precision, it’s the most cost‑effective choice.
Tangential Drag Knife
A tangential drag knife has its blade tip centered on the holder’s axis, and the holder contains precision ball bearings. This gives the blade very low friction during cutting. This type of knife is great for cutting soft materials. However, its cutting thickness is not as good as that of an eccentric knife.
Heavy-duty Drag Knife
Heavy-duty utility knives provide a cutting force of 5–10 kgf. These blades are wider and thicker, offering greater cutting power. You can use them to cut thick materials. If you need to cut materials thicker than 3 mm, a heavy-duty utility knife is important. However, these knives are slow and difficult to steer.
