Slotting

Slotting is a processing technique in foreign trade manufacturing and packaging. It refers to cutting elongated grooves or slots into materials such as cardboard, plastic, metal, or wood to facilitate folding, assembly, fixation, or specific functions. In export business, slotting is commonly found in the production of corrugated cartons, display stands, wooden pallets, and some mechanical parts. Use cases include: cartons need slotting along designed fold lines to form box bodies; display stands need slots for interlocking; pallets need slots to embed straps or forklift holes. Precautions: Slotting dimensional tolerances must be strictly controlled; too deep reduces material strength, too shallow prevents proper folding. Slotting position affects assembly efficiency and transport safety, and drawings or samples must be specified in the contract. Unlike die-cutting, slotting usually only makes straight grooves and does not involve complex contour cutting; unlike punching, slotting is elongated while punching is round or irregular holes. Foreign trade practitioners should specify slotting specifications, angles, depths, and acceptance standards in orders to avoid claims caused by process disputes.