Abstract: A high speed rotary cutter includes a rotary drum rotated at varying speeds in synchronization with an associated toothed counterwheel. The rotary drum includes at least one reciprocative cutter blade which is movable radially of the drum into and out of engagement with at least one fixed cutter blade provided on the toothed counterwheel. The movement of the reciprocative cutter blade between a projected and a retracted position thereof is controlled by a rotary cam which is located inside of the rotary drum coaxially therewith and which is driven by a servomotor. The rotary cutter also includes a control unit which controls the servomotor in such a manner that, during a cutting mode, the rotary cam is rotated with its cam nose engaged with the reciprocative cutter blade to urge it into engagement with the fixed cutter blade to shear a continuous corrugated strip.