Tour Stop 10: The Cutter
This guillotine-like device, the Polar Paper Cutter, is the ﬁnal stop on a book’s journey. It looks more dangerous than it really is, but caution is advised. A book’s measurements (its ‘trim size’) are entered into the machine, creating a program of different cuts. Using two hands (a safety feature that ensures no limbs are lost) the operator cuts the book (or broadsheet, postcard, etc.) accordingly. Four to six books can be cut at a time. They’re then boxed and shipped out the back door. The blade is changed once a month.