Before the riveters can rivet and the sewers can sew, the waxed canvas material that Frost River uses to create stunning packs needs to be cut to the appropriate size. This is where the state-of-the-art cutting table comes into play. Located in the basement of the Frost River storefront, this high-tech machine runs almost constantly. It is currently one of the largest cutting tables in the Midwest, and will cut pretty much any material you throw at it; all types of waxed canvas, leather, foam, and others.

“It's like a reverse air-hockey table,” said Tucker, Frost River’s cutting table operator. The 50 foot long table has thousands of pin-sized holes that suck the waxed canvas onto the table, keeping it in place. Once the massive sheet of canvas or leather is secured to the table, a robotic slide moves over the material, cutting it where it needs to be cut. The blade can cut all sorts of shapes and patterns, which gives the Frost River packs their unique look. 

On top of cutting, there is also a pen feature on the machine. The machine uses a marking system to let the sewers know where to stitch, instead of them having to free-hand the stitches. This not only makes the sewer’s job easier, but also quicker and more precise. 

“It's like a reverse air-hockey table,” said Tucker, Frost River’s cutting table operator. The 50 foot long table has thousands of pin-sized holes that suck the waxed canvas onto the table, keeping it in place. Once the massive sheet of canvas or leather is secured to the table, a robotic slide moves over the material, cutting it where it needs to be cut. The blade can cut all sorts of shapes and patterns, which gives the Frost River packs their unique look. 

On top of cutting, there is also a pen feature on the machine. The machine uses a marking system to let the sewers know where to stitch, instead of them having to free-hand the stitches. This not only makes the sewer’s job easier, but also quicker and more precise.