Since the 19th century, American innovator Albert Jones pioneered corrugated paper for packaging purposes. With a history spanning over a century, this invention has catalyzed the development of a modern packaging industry and machinery manufacturing sector. Despite several significant changes in equipment design over the years, the fundamental process flow of corrugated cardboard production has remained largely unchanged. Consequently, manufacturers worldwide tend to produce similar equipment for corrugated cardboard production lines, characterized by comparable principles, system composition, and stand-alone structures. Scrutinizing any manufacturer's equipment in accordance with its process requirements unveils the sophistication and rationality embedded within.

Corrugated cardboard boxes constitute a significant portion of the packaging realm. Following China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the establishment of the Asian Packaging Center in China by the World Packaging Organization, the Chinese paper packaging industry has garnered substantial attention. Both the supply-side market maturity and the quality expectations from the demand side have propelled heightened interest and investment in the industry. Given corrugated cardboard's affordability, moderate tensile strength, and hardness, it has become the preferred choice for inner linings or outer packaging across various sectors. The burgeoning demand for corrugated cardboard in logistics packaging and other industries underscores its pivotal role in the packaging landscape. Consequently, corrugated cardboard production equipment is poised for significant growth in the coming years, be it through retrofitting existing machinery or developing novel models.

Among these, the cross-cutting machine stands out as a crucial component within the corrugated cardboard production line. Primarily tasked with transversely shearing cardboard transported by the slitting and creasing machine, the traditional straight-knife cross-cutting machine has exhibited drawbacks such as excessive shearing force, rough edges, and poor cutting accuracy, which can adversely affect subsequent printing processes. Consequently, the development of a compatible machine for corrugated cardboard production lines has emerged as a pressing concern for researchers.

The corrugated cardboard production process entails utilizing continuous machinery to manufacture corrugated cardboard. While modern production lines dominate, older methods involving single-machine production equipment for corrugated mounting still persist. The old process typically encompasses five stages: web cutting, flat paper cutting, splicing, printing, and pressing/mounting. However, this antiquated approach, characterized by semi-mechanized manual operations, has largely been phased out due to its labor-intensive nature, low efficiency, and inferior carton quality.

1. Web Cutting Process: This stage involves cutting roll paper into required sizes for top paper, lining paper, and unfluted base paper. Single-roller knife-type paper cutters are commonly used, capable of cutting multiple paper rolls sequentially depending on the weight of the web.
2. Flat Paper Cutting Process: Here, tissue paper and corrugated base paper are cut to precise dimensions to ensure optimal nesting, splicing, and material utilization. Gate knife paper cutters are employed, with paper stacks compressed before cutting for accuracy.
3. Splicing Process: Manual splicing of edge materials aims to optimize paper utilization and minimize losses, albeit labor-intensive. Maintaining consistent paper fiber flow direction is crucial for splicing quality.
4. Printing Process: Text and patterns are printed onto tissue paper to display product names, manufacturer details, and other relevant information on carton surfaces. Offset printing is common, with a shift from oil-based to water-based inks for environmental reasons.
5. Pressing and Mounting Process: This pivotal stage involves laminating and pasting processes. Corrugated base paper is fed through heated rollers to form corrugated paper, which is then glued between tissue paper layers. Continuous operation enables the production of three-layer corrugated cardboard, with the option to repeat for five-layer cardboard.

In summary, while the traditional corrugated cardboard processing technology has evolved over time, modern production methods offer enhanced efficiency, quality, and automation, reflecting advancements in the packaging industry.