A mechanism and a method for slitting silicone membranes using automated slitting blades is presented. The pattern of slits in the membrane can be adjusted by using a cutting cylinder comprised of a plurality of circular cutting gears assembled in parallel.

The cutting cylinder is of indefinite length, but in the preferred embodiment is approximately 15″ long and 3″ in diameter. The silicone membrane can range in thickness from 0.005″ to 0.01″ inch.

The versatility of a slotter device, a sheet slicing method and a carton former is improved by providing first slotter heads and first lower blades, first slotter knives and second slotter knives mounted on the circumferences of the first slotter heads, second slotter heads and second lower blades, third slotter knives and fourth slotter knives mounted on the circumferences of the second slotter heads, third slotter heads and third lower blades, and fifth slotter knives and sixth slotter knives mounted on the circumferences of the third slotter heads, to process cuts of differing lengths.

The versatility of a slotter device, a sheet slicing method and a carton former is improved by providing first slotter heads and first lower blades, first slotter knives and second slotter knives mounted on the circumferences of the first slotter heads, second slotter heads and second lower blades, third slotter knives and fourth slotter knives mounted on the circumferences of the second slotter heads, third slotter heads and third lower blades, and fifth slotter knives and sixth slotter knives mounted on the circumferences of the third slotter heads, to process cuts of differing lengths.