Cutting
Manual and Machine
What’s the difference?
Based on the names of the types, it’s clear that the difference lies in the cutting technique itself.
Manual cutting is done by hand on the material using drafting tools, while machine cutting is performed using a computer and specialized cutting equipment.
Machine cutting
Tools and Materials
– PC with CutEditor and AI installed
– Cutting machine
– Fabric rolls (liner and top fabric)
– Pen or white marker for drafting
Stage 1: Preparation
— Turn on the PC, the cutting machine’s computer, and the machine itself
— On the machine’s control panel press:
F1 to power on
Select: Start → Modul 2 → OK
Stage 2: Opening the Program
— Launch the CutEditor program on the PC.
— Grab the AI file with the electronic drawings using the mouse and drag it into the open CutEditor window.
— Make sure the drawing image appears on the screen.
Stage 3: Setting the Cutting Parameters
— Click the puzzle icon in the upper toolbar.
— In the dropdown list, enter the fabric roll width: Properties → Width Y → specify in mm.
— Select the number of repeats: Shapes → Set.
Important: Main roll sizes:
— Pan (Panwefsel) — 1650 mm
— Sil (Siliconen) — 1520 mm
— PTFE — 1470 mm
— Alu (Alugrijs) — 1520 mm
— HTM 700 — 1520 mm
— INC (Inconel) — 1000 mm
— Rubies Grijs — 1470 mm
Stage 4: Distribution of Blanks
Press the START NESTING button to distribute the blanks on the fabric. While the machine is distributing:
— Fill in the data in Trello from the opened window:
Number of mattresses (Shapes Nested)
Waste percentage (Efficiency)
Fabric length (Used Length)
Area (multiply the fabric length by the fabric width).
After distribution:
— Click Accept → OK → Send to the server.
— The file will appear in the cutting machine’s computer window.
Important: on the PC, move the file ready for cutting to the “Cut” folder.
Stage 5: Machine Preparation
— Install the required rolls for cutting:
Place the liner fabric on the lower rollers with the “front” side facing up.
Place the top fabric on the upper rollers with the “front” side facing down.
— Lock the upper roller using the handle.
— Pass the top fabric through the sensor.
— On the upper roller monitor, the green button should blink, allowing you to adjust the top fabric to align it with the bottom one:
F1 — toward me
F2 — away from me
F4 — set balance (hold for 3 seconds).
— Release the green button (it should stay lit, not blinking).
Stage 6: Knife Calibration
— On the control panel (Main Menu):
Press F2 → OK → 2
Initialisation → 2 Auto Init → Start.
After the knife calibration is completed, press ESC.
Stage 7: Fabric Feeding
Send the cutting module to the end of the machine to grab the fabric:
On the control panel (Main Menu):
— 1 Cutter Setup → 7 Feed → 2 Manual Feed → 1 Transport to the Front (or 2 Transport to the Back).
Stage 8: Setting the Starting Point
When the material is in the cutting area, set the starting point:
— On the control panel (Main Menu), press F8 → 3 Define a Reference Point.
— Use the movement buttons (up–down, right–left) until the point is positioned in the top-right corner with a 1–1.5 cm offset from the edge and the canvas.
Press OK → OK.
Correct position of the starting point
Balancing the top and bottom fabricё
Example of fabric alignment relative to each other
Stage 9: Starting the Cutting Job
Open the Cut Queue program
On the cutting machine’s computer monitor, select the previously uploaded file from the PC by double-clicking on it.
— In the opened cutting tools window, select the materials that will be used for the job (for example, SIL-HTM — the module with the handle, PTFE-PTFE — the module with the white marker).
— Make sure the pen or marker is in working condition:
Check that it has ink, remove the cap, and make sure it can freely reach the fabric.
— Press START JOB.
— On the control panel, press the flashing ONLINE button — it must stop blinking and stay lit continuously.
Now you are ready to cut the mattress blanks.
After the cutting is completed, you must check the blanks against the drawings, write the name and number, as well as all necessary notes such as filling, DD, stitching, Velcro, buckles, flaps, and others on the liner fabric, then sort them and deliver them together with the drawings to production for further sewing.
Manual cutting
Tools and Materials
— Ruler (templates for krimps and round parts)
— Measuring tape
— Pencil or marker
— Scissors or fabric cutter
— Mattress materials (main fabric and liner)
— Work surface (table or workbench)
Stage 1: Workplace Preparation
— Make sure the work surface is clean and level.
— Lay out the main and lining fabric so they are “face to face,” aligned evenly with each other. The main fabric should be the top layer, and the bottom (lining) fabric should be the lower layer (the fabric that contacts pipes, boilers, and equipment).
Stage 2: Transferring Technical Drawings (Measuring and Marking)
Using a ruler and measuring tape, measure the required length and width of each mattress blank according to the dimensions shown in the technical drawings.
— Transfer the technical drawings onto the fabric using a pencil or marker. Use templates for krimps and circles.
— Make sure the lines are clear and visible.
— Take the mattress dimensions into account and add seam allowances:
If the material is fraying, leave 2 cm on all sides. In other cases, 1.5 cm is sufficient.
Stage 3: Placement of Blanks
— Arrange the blank pieces in a way that minimizes material waste.
— Make sure the seam allowances are maintained around the perimeter of each blank.
Stage 4: Cutting Out
— Carefully cut out the blanks using scissors or a fabric cutter, following the marked lines.
— Make sure the cutting is done neatly to avoid damaging the fabric.
Stage 5: Marking the Lining Layer
— On the lining layer, apply the markings that will serve as a reference for assembling the finished mattress (object and number).
— Also add marks indicating the type of filling, stitching points, locations for buckles or Velcro, and anything else if required.
Stage 6: Inspection
— Check all cut pieces for defects and accurate dimensions.
— Make sure all markings are clear and readable.
Stage 7: Cleaning
— Clear all fabric leftovers and tools from the workspace to maintain safety and order.
— Write the remaining fabric length on the roll in the bottom-right corner. The remainder is calculated as: the number of meters on the roll before cutting minus the meters you used.
Final step:
Hand over the blanks along with the technical drawings to the sewing team for further production.