System and method for cutting continuous web

A system for cutting continuous web into sheets comprising:

• an infeed unit having an infeed drive for directing web from a source to a first location, the first location being constructed and arranged to accommodate a buffer loop arranged to extend in an approximately horizontal direction;
• an indexing drive for directing the web from the first location to a cutter element;
• and
• a controller that operates at least one of the infeed drive and the indexing drive to maintain the buffer loop within a predetermined size range;
• wherein the infeed drive comprises an infeed drive roller that rotates about a pivot inwardly into a loaded position and outwardly to an unloaded position and a nip roller constructed and arranged to pivot about a pivot between an engaged position with the nip roller in engagement with the web and a disengaged position with the nip roller out of engagement with the web said infeed drive being configured and arranged such that the web assumes an S-wrap configuration with the top part of the S-wrap extending out into the horizontal buffer loop above the infeed drive roller when the infeed drive roller is in its loaded position and the nip roller is in its engaged position.