A band knife comprises of a series of three or more pulleys, powered by an electric motor, with a continuously rotating steel blade mounted on them. The narrow blade of this machine allows the finest of shapes to be cut very accurately. Some band knife machines have air flotation tables, which support the block of work on a fine air cushion, with minimum disturbance to the plies.
FIG 5 Band Knife
Band knives (video) (fig5) are used when a higher standard of cutting accuracy is required than cannot be obtained with a straight knife. Space must be left around garment parts so that they can be sectioned out using a straight knife and then cut exactly using band knife. Band knives are used more in men’s wear than in women’s wear and are often used cut large garment parts such as large panels of jackets and over coats. When small parts such as collars, cuffs and pockets are cut, a template of metal or fiber board in the shape of pattern piece may be clamped to the section of lay and is then drawn past the band knife blade, cutting exactly along the hard edge.
The operator can position, control and guide the fabric sections around the knife. To cut small blocks or shave off small amounts out of pre cut blocks, band knife is very useful.
Last modified: Tuesday, 27 December 2011, 11:54 AM