Effects of Cutting Width of Tobacco on Cut Tobacco Structure and its Distribution Stability

Purpose The aim was to analyze the influence law of cutting width on cut tobacco structure and its distribution stability, providing important references for choice of cutting width of specific tobacco formulation and further improving the level of fine processing of cigarette.Methods Three batches of tobacco formulation of a specification cigarette about Yunyan were used as test material. In the case of the tobacco primary process and other process parameters keeping consistent, three batches of tobacco formulation were respectively set three different cutting widths (0.90,0.95 and 1.00 mm) in cutting procedure. Cut tobacco structure data of different cutting width was analyzed by using the method of variance analysis. And distribution stability of cut tobacco structure was evaluated using grey correlation analysis method.Results (1) Different cutting width had great effect on cut tobacco structure. In addition to S3 length (2.50-4.00mm), there was a significant difference among the proportion of corresponding length cut tobacco in cut filler. (2) With the increase of cutting width, proportion of medium length and long cut tobacco had increased and in cut filler. Meanwhile, proportion of short and shredded cut tobacco had decreased in cut filler. Furthermore, the distribution stability of cut filler structure had decreased.Conclusion Increasing of cutting width could improve whole cut rate and reduce process consumption. However, to a certain extent, it will affect the stability of product quality. The research has provided important references for choice of cutting width of specific tobacco formulation.