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The Afinia DLF Quattro Digital Label Finisher is a high-speed, four-head digital finishing system designed for short-run label production, frequent job changes, custom shapes, and flexible roll-to-roll finishing without traditional dies.
Four cutting heads • No dies required • Up to 9 m/min • Complete roll-to-roll finishing
Watch the DLF Quattro in Action
Key Takeaways
- Four drag knife cutting heads work in tandem for increased cutting efficiency
- Digital cutting from vector PDF files with no dies required
- Complete roll-to-roll workflow: laminate, cut, weed, slit, and rewind
- Finishing speeds up to 9 m/min, shape dependent
- Ideal for short- to medium-run production and frequent job changes
- Integrated touchscreen Cutting Manager for job setup and production control
- Automatic web guide helps maintain material alignment
- Maximum cut width of 13" (330 mm)
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What is the DLF Quattro used for?
The DLF Quattro is designed to turn pre-printed label rolls into finished rolls through a complete digital finishing workflow. It can laminate, contour cut, remove the waste matrix, slit, and rewind labels without traditional dies.
It is particularly suited for short-run production, frequent job changes, custom label shapes, variable designs, and applications where fast turnaround and flexibility are important.
Four Cutting Heads for Faster Digital Finishing
The DLF Quattro uses four drag knife cutting heads that work in tandem to increase cutting efficiency. The heads are designed to cut the same shapes within a job rather than independently producing different label shapes.
- 4X Cutting Heads: Four digital cutting heads work together for increased efficiency
- Digital Plotter Cutting: Cut custom shapes from vector PDF cut files
- Shape Flexibility: Change label shapes without ordering new dies
- Independent Settings: Certain settings, such as cut pressure and spacing, can be adjusted independently
No Dies Required
The DLF Quattro uses drag knife plotting heads instead of traditional dies. Custom shapes are controlled by vector PDF cut files, allowing operators to create or change label shapes without the cost and lead time associated with physical tooling.
Complete Roll-to-Roll Finishing
The DLF Quattro combines multiple finishing steps into one workflow, starting with a pre-printed roll and producing finished label rolls.
- Lamination: Add an optional laminate to strengthen and protect the finished web
- Contour Cutting: Digitally cut custom label shapes
- Waste Removal: Remove the waste matrix after cutting
- Slitting: Convert the finished web into narrower rolls
- Rewinding: Produce clean, finished label rolls
Integrated Touchscreen Control
The DLF Quattro features an integrated touchscreen PC running Cutting Manager software. Operators can import PDF cut files, manage job setup, adjust cutting settings, and control production directly from the machine.
Automatic Web Guide & Head Alignment
The automatic web guide helps maintain material alignment during production without requiring collars, physical guides, or manual adjustments. Cutting head positioning is detected from the PDF cut file to help simplify setup and improve workflow efficiency.
Configurable Finishing Options
The DLF Quattro supports optional configurations for different finishing requirements, including split rewind with an additional output mandrel. An optional laminate liner rewinder is also available for linered laminate applications.
Blank Label Mode
Blank Label Mode allows the DLF Quattro to cut blank labels on liner so they are ready for printing. Registration marks are not used when operating in Blank Label Mode.
Artwork & Software Requirements
Printed label cutting uses registration marks printed along with the labels to align the digital cut path. The black registration mark should be included in the artwork when labels are printed.
Users create vector-based cut files using design software such as Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW. The DLF Quattro then uses the vector PDF file to control the cutting heads.
What Materials Can the DLF Quattro Cut?
The DLF Quattro can cut many common label materials, including paper, BOPP, PET, and similar label stocks. Actual performance can vary depending on material thickness, adhesive, liner, laminate, and the complexity of the label shape.
Important: Material must be supplied on a liner. The DLF Quattro is designed for label finishing and is not intended for unsupported tag stock or free-hanging cut-through finishing.
Technical Specifications
- Initial Cost: $45,000
- Production Volume: Medium to High
- Finishing Speed: Up to 9 m/min, shape dependent
- Maximum Input Roll Diameter: 500 mm
- Maximum Finished Roll Diameter: 300 mm
- Maximum Cut Width: 13" (330 mm)
- Cutting Method: Digital plotter-style cutting
- Cutting Heads: Four drag knife cutting heads
Installation & Operation
The DLF Quattro includes sensors and automation features that support mostly unattended operation once a job is running. Production should still be monitored periodically, particularly during longer runs, new jobs, or when using unfamiliar materials.
The system requires an air compressor. Installation and on-site operator training are provided by Afinia Label or an authorized representative.
Consumables & Maintenance
The DLF Quattro uses replaceable cutting knives, slitter blades, and cutting strips. These components will wear over time and need to be replaced or maintained. Slitter blades can be rotated to use different sharp edges before replacement.
Who Is the DLF Quattro For?
The DLF Quattro is designed for label producers that need short- to medium-run finishing, frequent job changes, custom shapes, variable designs, and faster turnaround without traditional dies.
For applications that consistently produce the same label shape at very high volumes, a die-based finishing system may be a better fit.
Why Choose the DLF Quattro?
- No Dies: Create and change custom shapes using digital cut files
- Four Cutting Heads: Increase cutting efficiency for faster digital finishing
- Complete Workflow: Laminate, cut, weed, slit, and rewind in one system
- Automatic Alignment: Integrated web guiding helps keep material aligned
- Flexible Production: Quickly change between different shapes and jobs
- Integrated Controls: Manage cutting and production from the touchscreen PC
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the DLF Quattro require dies?
No. The DLF Quattro uses digital drag knife plotting heads and vector PDF cut files, so custom shapes can be produced without traditional dies.
Can the four cutting heads cut different shapes?
Not within the same job. The four heads work in tandem and are intended to cut the same shapes. Some settings, such as cut pressure and spacing, can be adjusted independently.
What is the maximum cutting speed?
The DLF Quattro can reach finishing speeds of up to 9 m/min. Actual production speed depends on the label shape and cut complexity. Detailed shapes and tight turns may require slower cutting speeds.
Is the number of labels across the web limited by the four cutting heads?
No. The number of labels across the web is not directly tied to the number of cutting heads. Layout depends on web width, label size, spacing, shape complexity, and job setup.
Can it cut perforations?
Yes. Cutting Manager includes settings for perforation-style cutting through the label material. It is not intended to perforate through the liner.
Can the DLF Quattro cut tag stock?
No. The material must be on a liner. The system is designed for label finishing rather than unsupported tag stock or free-hanging cut-through finishing.
Do I have to laminate my labels?
No. Lamination is optional depending on the application. However, lamination is recommended because it can strengthen the web and make waste matrix removal more reliable.
Can I use linered laminate?
Yes. Linered laminate can be used with the optional laminate liner rewinder.
Are registration marks required?
Registration marks are required when cutting printed labels. They are printed with the labels and used by the camera system to align the cut path. Registration marks are not used in Blank Label Mode.
Does the DLF Quattro require an air compressor?
Yes. An air compressor is required for operation.
Is installation and training included?
Yes. Afinia Label or an authorized representative provides installation and on-site training for operation.
What materials can it cut?
The DLF Quattro can cut common label materials including paper, BOPP, PET, and similar stocks. Performance depends on material thickness, adhesive, liner, laminate, and label shape complexity.
Are there consumables?
Yes. Cutting knives, slitter blades, and cutting strips are wear items that need to be replaced periodically.
