Snijframes

Snijframes, in Dutch usage, are cutting frames used to hold and guide material during the cutting phase of manufacturing. They provide a stable, repeatable reference surface for accurate blade paths and help ensure consistent cut quality across parts. Snijframes are employed in industries such as textiles, leather goods, packaging, and printed media, where tight tolerances are important.

Most snijframes consist of a rigid frame—commonly aluminum or steel—surrounding a flat work surface. The frame may incorporate fixtures such as clamps, pins, stops, or a vacuum hold-down to secure the material. Some designs feature interchangeable inserts, registration marks, or adjustable grid lines to aid alignment and repeatability.

During use, the operator places the material on the frame, aligns it with reference marks, and engages the cutting tool (knife, die, laser, or waterjet). The frame supports the material to prevent flutter or shifting and helps maintain flatness through multiple layers. For high-volume production, frames can be part of an automated cutting line with registered feed and waste removal.

Variants include manual snijframes for small batches and large-format frames used in industrial cutting. In textiles and leather work, frames may be combined with CNC cutters; in packaging and printing, they can be used for trim and contour cuts. Some frames are designed to accommodate multi-layer stacks or delicate fabrics by distributing clamping force evenly.

Maintenance and safety: Regular inspection of clamps, alignment surfaces, and the frame for deformation is recommended. Cleaning and proper lubrication of moving fixtures help maintain accuracy and extend life. Operators should follow machine safety guidelines to prevent injuries from cutting tools and to avoid material slippage.