If you are looking for a process way to complete rapid prototyping, small-batch customization, and control cutting depth, kiss cutting may be the answer to this question. This article will explain what kiss cutting is and common applications to help choose a suitable process method.
What Is Kiss Cutting?
Let’s have an example to help you understand. The common label stock in our daily life, such as beverage bottle stickers or express delivery slips, is often made up of three layers: the surface is a face material used to load the printed pattern. The middle layer is adhesive, providing a paste function, while the bottom is a silicone-coated release liner to facilitate transport and storage.
Kiss cutting is one type of cutting process that is able to only cut the face material and adhesive layer, but doesn’t hurt the release liner. This name is very vivid. You can imagine a knife kissing a metal surface, and the force is just right to reach where it should go. The ideal cutting depth is controlled to cut through the face stock and adhesive layer without penetrating the release liner.
Many customers ask us what the difference is between kiss cut and through cut. The biggest difference is cut depth. Using the kiss cut, the release liner still keeps the original state and component attached to it, but the cut is deeper, which will cut through all layers, including the face material, adhesive, and release liner, fully separating the parts.
How Does Kiss Cutting Work?
The core of kiss cutting is the precise control capability to cut depth. Both depth too light or too deep are leading to material scrap. There are three key technologies to control depth:
Tool Depth Control
professional tool on a kiss-cutting device equipped with a floating gliding shoe that slides against the material surface closely to limit the extension length of the blade tip. In this way, the blade tip will stop at the target depth.
For you, it means you just need to adjust screws and set the cut depth instead of judging from depth by feel; the following is left to the device.
Cutting Pressure Adjustment
Different materials and depths have different requirements for cutting pressure. You can adjust it through the adjustment system to choose a suitable pressure. By the way, the positioning accuracy of MC’s digital cutting equipment can reach 0.01mm. Even if facing various materials, it can still ensure cutting consistency.
Material Thickness Detection
Digital cutting equipment equipped with a material thickness detection sensor can register material thickness changes and, meanwhile, recommend suitable cutting parameters for you, which shortens trial cut time and reduces material waste.
Industrial Applications of Kiss Cutting and Reasons
Label and Sticker Manufacturing
- Applications: Custom logo stickers, holographic labels, barcode labels, thermal shipping labels, food & beverage labels, promotional stickers, warning labels
- Why Kiss Cutting? The release liner keeps its integrity, so the label won’t scatter randomly and is easy to tear off. If you want to change images, you just need to replace the design, which reduces the time of remolding.
Packaging and Prototype Production
- Applications: Packaging prototypes, sample cutting for paper boxes and gift boxes, short-run packaging, POP display boxes, protective inserts for electronics and cosmetics
- Why Kiss Cutting? Without die, you can directly use drive equipment to cut based on design files, which rapidly shortens prototyping lead time and allows you to give customers multiple modified versions.
Electronics and Adhesive Converting
- Applications: Double-sided adhesive tape, thermal conductive tape, protective film, insulating materials (PET, PI), EMI shielding materials (conductive fabric, conductive foam), membrane switch films, masking film
- Why Kiss Cutting? Positioning accuracy reaching 0.01mm satisfies the strict tolerance requirements of the electronics industry
Automotive and Industrial Components
- Applications: Foam gaskets, sound and thermal insulation, anti-vibration pads, VHB tape, anti-scratch protective film, reflective safety strips, felt soundproofing pads
- Why Kiss Cutting? Different car models have large differences in component size and shape. Kiss cutting can flexibly change and improve the material utilization rate over than 90%.
Medical and Healthcare Products
- Applications: Medical adhesive patches, wound dressings, diagnostic electrodes, wearable device patches, medical double-sided tape, transdermal patches, surgical drape tape
- Why Kiss Cutting? Medical product used Kiss cutting proves every cutting quality o is consistent and reduces the deviation in batches. What’s more important is that without physical die contact material, in a clean environment reduce your products’ risk of pollution.
Actually, except for the above key industry applications, you can use kiss cutting to do more. People also use it in heat transfer vinyl, iron-on patches, reflective garment strips, custom name labels, and so on. Even the shoe upper bonding materials in shoe material processing are the kiss cutting’s work.
How To Choose a Kiss Cutting Machine for Your Application
In today’s market, whether custom labels or limited-edition packaging, the orders are becoming more and more scattered and varied, while the lead time is becoming shorter and shorter.
Compared with traditional die cutting, which is suitable for products of single-variety productions, kiss cutting, combined with a digital cutting machine, can enable you to use one machine to handle ever-changing orders.
Label Manufacturing
In label manufacturing, your order usually has features such as multiple varieties, small batches, and you need to face frequent order changes. So, a kiss cutting machine for you should have the ability to perform high-precision cutting and quick order change. Choosing a device with an automatic feeding function can reduce manual feeding time in the labeling process.
Packaging Converting
If you want to use kiss cutting in packaging converting, we advise you to choose a kiss cutting machine equipped with die-less digital cutting ability to save mold time and cost, and supporting AI, DXF common design formats, as well as a middle worktable size. For example, MC provides 900×600mm, 1300×900mm, 1600×1000mm, and other sizes to suit your request.
Adhesive Tape Manufacturing
These materials are usually thin, soft, and adhesive, meanwhile it has strict dimensional tolerance requirements. You need to consider kiss cutting machines with high precision such as ±0.01mm.
The tools are connected with cleaning when cutting sticky materials, so pay more attention to the tools’ adhesive material compatibility. MC machines support a kiss cutter, oscillating knife, pneumatic knife, and other multiple knives; you can choose the most suitable one, depending on specific materials.
For bulk orders, stable performance is also important. Consider that factories have this point, please. The MC device with a heavy machine frame and a servo motor driving system can improve stability in long-term work.
Custom Converting and Small Workshops
We have cooperated with many customers among these. For you, choosing machines that simultaneously support kiss cut and through cut is better due to limited investment. MC’s product line ranges from entry-level to industrial level. You can also start with a basic configuration and gradually upgrade as the business increases.
Consider adding an intelligent control system, because it is really able to reduce your staff’s operational difficulty
Equipment Distribution
The premise for customers to trust you with equipment distribution is that the machine is really reliable. So, the experience and after-sales service are the key to choosing kiss cutting machines’ manufacturers. MC has over 15 years of experience and 80+ models for your choice. What’s more, we have a professional after-sales team to solve your problems anytime. If your customers’ devices need to be repaired, we have ample spare parts reserves to shorten downtime.
FAQ
What Are the Limitations of Kiss Cutting?
The cutting depth of kiss cutting is ordinarily less than 1mm, so it is not suitable for cutting thick material. It recommends that the material has a flat and even surface; otherwise, it will lead to inconsistent cutting depth and increased scrap rate. Also, the adhesive that comes from adhesive materials may cause the knife to wear, so you need to change it regularly.
How Long Does a Kiss Cutting Blade Last?
The lifespan of a kiss-cutting blade is connected with cutting frequency, types of material, and maintenance. When you cut ordinary paper or self-adhesive paper, it may be used for several weeks to months. Changing into adhesives or abrasive component materials, this number will get smaller.
How Much Does a Kiss Cutting Machine Cost?
The specific price depends on the configuration. MC provides multiple configurations from entry-level to industrial-grade, and prices cover $3,000 to $80,000+. If you need an accurate quote, please contact us with your material type, processing size, and production capacity requirements.
Can a Kiss Cutting Machine Be Customized?
Yes, we support many customization options, including worktable size, tool configuration, auto feeding system, vacuum worktable, and so on. You can flexibly choose according to your material size and order types.
How Long Does Setup and Job Changeover Take?
The advantage of digital kiss cutting machines is quick changeover. The initial setup generally needs half to one day, which includes equipment installation and operation training. After that, the daily change order is ordinary within minutes.
Final Thoughts
MC’s digital kiss cutting equipment is suitable for processing labels, protective film, foam, and other flexible materials. Whether small-batch customization or mass production, we can meet your needs. Welcome to contact us for professional selection advice.
