Slicing: After the cork planks have reached the correct moisture content, they are sliced into strips slightly wider than the final length of the cork.




Cork punching is done by automatic machines or hand-controlled punching machines. An automatic machine can punch 45,000 corks a day. The best quality bark is still punched by skilled workers, who can punch 20,000 corks in a day. Hand punching results in a more consistent quality, because a skilled worker can choose the best sections in the cork strip.


Much of the corkwood left over from punching is sent for granulation and use in making technical corks. 



This article sponsored by Amorim Corks