Processing by "quadretti"

Processing by "quadretti" is the main processing in Suber Extra factory. Cutting a cork strip in small  blocks allows an expert operator to observe the cork on any face, in order to reject any block with cracks or other visible defect.  This processing  ensure a definitely lower share of defective pieces, with respect to processing by punch.

 "Quadretti" .

Cutting of "quadretti" (File wmv, 511 KB) 

Any block is processed into a small cylinder, by a "rounding" machine.

Blocks Rounding off (File wmv, 184 KB)

After having been rounded, and before any other processing, raw cylinders are sent to the dryer room, until they reach a humidity level not higher than 6-7%.

Drying is done in order to avoid flourishing of any kind of mould or yeast, as weel as granting its good mechanical behaviour.

Once they've been dried, stoppers have to be dimensionally rectified, that is the process of polishing stoppers end and side, in order to ensure dimensional specifications of cork stoppers.

Daily dimensional and humidity checks are realized all through the cutting and polishing process, in order to grant the regularity of stoppers dimensions .

Dimensional check of stoppers.