Blade Application Guides / Application Guide / Aerospace composites
Carbon Non-Crimp Fabric Sheet Slitting Blades
Carbon non-crimp fabric consists of oriented reinforcement layers held by stitches; it is not a cured composite panel. For lengthwise slitting, mark each fiber axis and stitch line relative to the proposed slit. Compare loose tow ends at the cut with the incoming roll and with damage introduced during strip separation or rewind.
Updated
Where This Cutting Application Appears
Supplied material and orientation
Confirm the supplied carbon NCF architecture, fiber axes, stitch construction, ply count, width and incoming edge. It is a stitched reinforcement fabric, not an already cured laminate or honeycomb core.
Installed cutting setup
Record roll or sheet presentation, fiber axes, stitch repeat, web support, cut-line position and strip take-off.
Output and downstream handling
Measure relaxed strip width and inspect both new edges, stitches and ply alignment before and after winding.
Sheet Slitting process boundary
This guide covers sheet slitting of carbon non-crimp fabric; it does not establish a universal blade format, machine setting or material performance claim.
Sheet Slitting setup checkpoint
Mark fiber axes and stitch lines on each trial sample. Separate incoming stitch or tow damage from damage first observed at the cutter and after fabric handling.
Sheet Slitting acceptance checkpoint
Compare direction-marked good and rejected material under the same measurement and handling sequence.
Define the Required Cut Result
- Hold agreed strip width after relaxation
- Limit cut-stitch unraveling and loose tow ends
- Preserve the specified fiber-axis orientation
- Keep plies aligned through strip separation
Problems to Diagnose Before Changing the Knife
Stitches unzip along one slit edge
Map the slit position against the stitch repeat and compare support on both sides.
One fiber layer pulls farther than the others
Inspect fiber-axis direction, layer restraint and take-off path before changing blade overlap.
Width drifts only after winding
Compare at-cut and relaxed widths with tension and roll tracking.
Incoming material differs from the trial lot
Check the supplied grade, construction and incoming defects before attributing a changed result to the cutter.
Carbon NCF Sheet Slitting Diagnostic
Separate incoming construction, fixture support, blade contact and post-cut handling before selecting a replacement for sheet slitting.
Stitches unzip along one slit edge
Map the slit position against the stitch repeat and compare support on both sides.
One fiber layer pulls farther than the others
Inspect fiber-axis direction, layer restraint and take-off path before changing blade overlap.
Width drifts only after winding
Compare at-cut and relaxed widths with tension and roll tracking.
Acceptance Criteria for a Controlled Trial
Agree how the trial will be judged before changing the knife or machine setting.
- Measure marked strip widths at start, middle and end after relaxation
- Count cut-stitch unraveling over an agreed edge length
- Record loose tow ends by ply and fiber axis
- Compare ply alignment and wound-edge condition with the approved sample
Knife Forms That May Be Considered
| Possible knife form | When it may be considered | What must be confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Circular shear pair | Only if the installed line supports NCF plies through a rotary shear cut. | Confirm upper/lower geometry, side load and ply-edge trial. |
| Guided straight slitter | Where an existing supported fixture advances the fabric along a fixed line. | Confirm guide, holder and stitch-line position against the original drawing. |
Information to Send for Technical Review
You do not need to know the exact blade name. Send the available workpiece, machine, current-knife and cut-result information so the application can be reviewed against a drawing or sample.
- Exact NCF grade, fiber axes, ply count and stitch construction
- Supply form, roll width and incoming edge condition
- Slit positions, strip widths and relaxed tolerances
- Support, guide, tension and take-off drawings
- Installed blade pair or fixed knife and holder drawings
- Direction-marked good and rejected edge samples
- Stitch and tow-damage acceptance limits
- Trial length, downstream layup use and required quantity
Related Material Cutting and Service Pages
Questions About This Cutting Application
Can a blade be selected from the term carbon non-crimp fabric alone?
No. Check the supplied grade, actual machine interface, drawing and approved samples before specifying a component.
Is this a cured-laminate slitting job?
No. Qualify the supplied stitched reinforcement and the installed fabric line.
Can slit position ignore the stitch repeat?
No. Mark where the cut intersects stitches and compare retained-edge integrity.
Why inspect after winding?
Strip tension and take-off can add ply displacement after an initially clean cut.
Public references and scope
These public sources provide material, cutting-method or safety context for this guide. Supplier pages describe their own materials or equipment; they do not establish a MEIRENTE blade specification or performance claim. Confirm the actual grade, machine setup and required cut with a drawing or sample.
Related product and service information
- Composite Peel Ply Edge Trimming Blades - composite peel ply · edge trimming
- Carbon Non-Crimp Fabric Edge Trimming Blades - carbon non-crimp fabric · edge trimming
- Nomex Honeycomb Core Sheet Slitting Blades - Nomex honeycomb core · sheet slitting
Request a Custom Cutting-Knife Review
Send the workpiece details, machine or holder information, current knife photos or sample, required quantity and examples of the present cut problem. Final dimensions, material, edge geometry and tolerances are confirmed from the approved requirements.