Drag Knife for CNC Digital Cutters and Plotters

zAbout drag knife and how it cuts

The common cutting method for vinyl plotters or flatbed digital cutting tables is the drag knife technology. The movement of the drag knife is usually provided by a non-powered cutting module or tool, depending on the specification and manufacturer of the CNC plotter. The cutter blade is fixed in the knife mount and in some models, if the blade is mounted at an angle, it rotates around the axis of the knife holder when turning and cutting corners in a web. A "drag knife" follows the tool holder trajectory as it cuts. In order to change direction smoothly, the blade is typically pivoted in the tool holder. The drag knife has different designs depending on the CNC cutter type and its application. The drag digital cutting knife moves through the material without completely withdrawing from the material, even when turning to change the cutting direction.

Cutter offset for drag knives

The cutter offset, or blade offset, is the distance from the point at which the blade is cutting to the point about which it is rotating - the axial center. With other words, offset is a quantity that defines the radius of rotation of the blade and compensates for distance when cornering. Correct blade offset for the drag blade is essential for good quality corners. By the way, blade offset only applies to a drag knife. Read more about cutter offset settings for drag cutting in our blog.

Drag knives for Zund digital cutting systems

One of the most common manufacturers in Europe of CNC digital cutting tables is Zund. Of course, they also have a drag cutting technique. Their cutting tables are modularly equipped with the necessary modules and tools for the selected cutting technique and the material to be cut. Read more about Zund cutting tables here.

As far as cutting with drag knives is concerned, this cutting technique can be performed on UCT, KCT, VCT, SCT, C2, PPT + sleeve 40 which are non-powered tools. Types of Zund drag knives: Round-stock, flat-stock blade, mat-cutting blade, V-cut blade

Drag knives for ESKO / Kongsberg CNC cutters

Drag knives for CNC cutting tables made by ESKO Kongsberg are also available. They often have the same blade design as Zund knives and some other manufacturers, and can be interchangeable, but not completely identical in some cases. But you should of course read the knife specifications before choosing a drag knife or its alternative. You can read more about the interchangeability of digital cutting knives in our blog "Zund & Summa Blades Fit Various Digital Cutting Machines".

For example, the knife from Summa 500-9807, Zund Z46 and Esko BLD-SF346 (i-346) / G42458406 are almost identical: they have the same 6mm width, thickness, length and cutting angle.

Summa 500-9803 60°, Z11 and Esko BLD-DF113 G42443036 are also similar knives, with the same 50° angle, but in this case Summa 500-9803 is twice as short and is 25mm instead of 50mm.

Drag knives for Summa vinyl cutters

As for the CNC vinyl cutters from the manufacturer Summa, they cut adhesive vinyl film, foil, adhesive PVC, banner vinyl using drag knives.

Summa drag module is required to use the drag knife cutting technique. For example, Summa S One and S2 D-Series cutters use only drag knives. Summa S2 tangential cutters may optionally use drag knives, giving up the advantages of tangential cutting. Summa Series F tables can be equipped with 2 modules and different tools, but Drag module is standard and Tangential - optional.

Buy Knives for CNC Digital Cutting Systems

All of the CNC digital cutters listed above use special knives to make the cutting. Flatbed cutter tables usually have a modular configuration and can be used to perform different cutting and processing techniques depending on which tool is currently installed and which knife is mounted in the tool head.

If you are looking for a supplier of cutting consumables and knives for vinyl plotters and digital cutting tables from manufacturers such as Zund, Summa, Aristo, ESKO, Kongsberg, Gerber, Sollex can provide you with high quality knives on time and at an exceptional price. We manufacture plotter and cutter knives from high quality tungsten carbide and with high wear resistance. Here you can see our drag knives, oscillating knives, tangential cutter knives, vinyl cutter knives.

If you do not find the knife you need, please contact us by mail, as not all of our products are available on our website.