Effect of Cutting Process Parameters on the Cutting Accuracy of Multilayer Surgical Gauze Using a Drum Cutting Unit

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of selected parameters of the machine-cutting process of multilayer surgical gauze on the accuracy of the spacing of successive cuts in a material roll intended for dressing production. The experiments were conducted on an original test stand equipped with a drum cutting unit. Three variants of the number of surgical gauze layers were analysed: 3, 4, and 8; four cutting angles: 0°, 5°, 10°, and 15°; and nine cutting speeds ranging from 0.66 to 3.34 m·s−1. The relative spacing error between successive cuts, δL, was adopted as a measure of process accuracy and was expressed as the percentage deviation of the actual distance between cuts from the theoretical value. For each parameter configuration, the value of δL was determined on the basis of five replicate measurements. The results showed that cutting accuracy varied with the cutting angle, the number of layers, and the cutting speed. The lowest error values were obtained during transverse cutting at an angle of 0°. The mean value of δL increased from 1.61% at 0° to 2.91% at 15°. Increasing the number of layers also resulted in an increase in the error; the mean values were 2.25%, 2.33%, and 2.59% for 3-, 4-, and 8-layer gauze, respectively. The effect of cutting speed was nonlinear. The lowest mean error values were observed at intermediate cutting speeds, whereas higher mean error values were obtained at 3.00 and 3.34 m·s−1. The minimum value of δL, equal to 1.20%, was obtained for 3-layer gauze at a cutting angle of 0° and a cutting speed of 1.33 m·s−1, whereas the maximum value, equal to 3.57%, was obtained for 8-layer gauze at a cutting angle of 15° and a cutting speed of 3.34 m·s−1. The results indicate that the highest cut-spacing accuracy can be achieved during transverse cutting of the material, with a lower number of layers and at moderate cutting speeds. The findings can be used to select the operating parameters of drum cutting units used in machines for the production of surgical gauze dressings.