A slitting machine for threading scrap material has first and second arbors. A first set of rotary knives are disposed on each of the first and second arbors having a first diameter. A second set of rotary knives are disposed on each of the first and second arbors having a second diameter. The second diameter is smaller than the first diameter. As the arbor gap is closed, the first set of rotary knives cut edge trim and when the arbor gap is further closed, the second set of rotary knives cut mutts from the strip.

The present disclosure is directed, in part, to a cutting apparatus comprising a drive shaft having a longitudinal axis, a drum configured to orbit the longitudinal axis when driven by the drive shaft, a first actuator, and a cutting assembly joined to the drum and configured to orbit the longitudinal axis with the drum. The cutting assembly comprises a second actuator operably engaged with a portion of the cutting assembly, and a cutting device driven by the second actuator. The second actuator is configured to rotate the cutting device at least 1,500 revolutions per minute during cutting of an article. The first actuator is operably engaged with a portion of the cutting assembly and is configured to reciprocate the cutting device in directions substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis as the cutting assembly orbits the longitudinal axis.

Perforating equipment (111) for high speed transversal perforations of variable lengths on a continuous form (32) in movement is disclosed. The perforations are carried out by means of a perforating blade (39a) against a projecting profile (41a) of a blade contrast (39a) and blade and contrast servomechanisms (43, 128) for rotating a support for the blade and the blade contrast. The projecting profile (41a) has sectors with axial extensions different in dependence on their angular positions. The contrast servomechanism (128) is settable for selecting an angular phase of the blade contrast (39a), such to positioning, for the contrast with the blade, a sector of the projecting profile (41a) having axial extension equal to the requested length of the perforation (P). The blade contrast can be constituted by a hollow cylinder (113) rotatable around a support shaft (114) as a radial air bearing of pneumostatic type.