Clipping

Clipping is the first step in the veneering process. Clipping is also known as waste chopping or cross cutting, and the machine that does it is often called a “guillotine.” What you’re actually doing is maximizing each veneer sheet for use, using trained eyes to find the largest, unblemished pieces for use. It’s not uncommon to find only 28 of 1000 ft. of veneer usable for your largest applications – the clipping process separates the largest usable pieces; smaller pieces may be applied elsewhere or recycled/scrapped.

Aside from length/width of cut and crosscutting capability, the key differentiator in clipping machines is the number of knives. If you’re processing a significant amount of veneer, a double-knife machine eliminates the need to flip the veneer sheet for a second cut. Stiles KUPER ZFS Series features double knives; nine other models feature single knives. When clipping is completed, the splicing process can begin.