To properly stack embossed wax sheets after milling, the recommended method involves layering them neatly between sheets of pre-cut paper on a flat board or plate. This prevents sticking and helps retain warmth, which is crucial for maintaining the wax's ductility during subsequent handling. Additionally, ensuring the grain direction (ripples or waves) runs perpendicular to the sides (90 degrees) is essential to avoid feeding issues during later processing. Diagonal grain alignment can cause the sheets to list sideways when fed through rollers, leading to operational inefficiencies.
Key Points Explained:
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Neat Stacking with Interleaving Paper
- Stack the embossed wax sheets neatly on a flat, stable surface like a board or plate.
- Layer each wax sheet between pre-cut paper sheets to prevent adhesion, which can damage the embossed patterns or make separation difficult.
- This method also helps retain heat within the stack, improving the wax's ductility for easier handling in subsequent steps.
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Grain Direction Alignment
- The grain (ripples or waves) of the wax sheets must run perpendicular (90 degrees) to the sides.
- Incorrect diagonal grain alignment can cause feeding problems when the sheets pass through rollers, leading to misalignment or jamming.
- Proper grain orientation ensures smooth, straight feeding, reducing operational disruptions.
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Importance of Retained Warmth
- A neat, layered stack retains residual warmth from the milling process, which keeps the wax pliable.
- This ductility is critical for further processing, such as shaping or molding, as stiff or cold wax is more prone to cracking or breaking.
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Preventing Feeding Issues
- Proper stacking and grain alignment minimize the risk of the sheets listing (tilting) to one side during feeding.
- This is especially important in automated or high-volume production environments where consistency and efficiency are priorities.
By following these steps, you ensure optimal handling, processing efficiency, and material quality for embossed wax sheets post-milling.
Summary Table:
| Key Step | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Neat Stacking with Paper | Prevents adhesion, retains warmth, and protects embossed patterns. |
| Grain Direction (90°) | Ensures straight feeding through rollers, reducing misalignment or jamming. |
| Retained Warmth | Maintains wax ductility for easier shaping and molding. |
| Prevent Feeding Issues | Minimizes tilting during automated processing for consistent results. |
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