An apparatus for indexing winding cores on a winder, comprising: a winding drum configured to carry a continuous plastic web; a plurality of winding stations (112, 114) configured to translate toward and away from the surface of the winding drum, each winding station (112, 114) carrying: a winding turret (214, 216, 218, 226, 228, 230) with a plurality of winding positions, a mandrel (502, 504, 506) attached at each winding position, the winding turret rotating about a hub; a knife edge coupled to an actuator that presses the knife edge against the continuous plastic web on the surface of the winding drum, thereby cutting the continuous plastic web between two positions when actuated; and a controller configured to: press a first mandrel against the winding drum such that the continuous plastic web winds on the first mandrel; move a second mandrel against the winding drum into contact with the continuous plastic web; actuate the knife edge to cut the continuous plastic web between the first mandrel and the second mandrel to start winding the continuous plastic web on the second mandrel; and thereafter move the first mandrel away from the surface of the winding drum; each winding station (112, 114) winding one of a plurality of continuous plastic webs (202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212); and each winding station (112, 114) being located at either a first circumferential location or a second circumferential location relative to the winding drum, and wherein successive turrets (214, 216, 218, 226, 228, 230) are at alternative circumferential locations. a winding drum configured to carry a continuous plastic web; a plurality of winding stations (112, 114) configured to translate toward and away from the surface of the winding drum, each winding station (112, 114) carrying: a winding turret (214, 216, 218, 226, 228, 230) with a plurality of winding positions, a mandrel (502, 504, 506) attached at each winding position, the winding turret rotating about a hub; a knife edge coupled to an actuator that presses the knife edge against the continuous plastic web on the surface of the winding drum, thereby cutting the continuous plastic web between two positions when actuated; and a controller configured to: press a first mandrel against the winding drum such that the continuous plastic web winds on the first mandrel; move a second mandrel against the winding drum into contact with the continuous plastic web; actuate the knife edge to cut the continuous plastic web between the first mandrel and the second mandrel to start winding the continuous plastic web on the second mandrel; and thereafter move the first mandrel away from the surface of the winding drum; each winding station (112, 114) winding one of a plurality of continuous plastic webs (202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212); and each winding station (112, 114) being located at either a first circumferential location or a second circumferential location relative to the winding drum, and wherein successive turrets (214, 216, 218, 226, 228, 230) are at alternative circumferential locations. a winding turret (214, 216, 218, 226, 228, 230) with a plurality of winding positions, a mandrel (502, 504, 506) attached at each winding position, the winding turret rotating about a hub; a knife edge coupled to an actuator that presses the knife edge against the continuous plastic web on the surface of the winding drum, thereby cutting the continuous plastic web between two positions when actuated; and a controller configured to: press a first mandrel against the winding drum such that the continuous plastic web winds on the first mandrel; move a second mandrel against the winding drum into contact with the continuous plastic web; actuate the knife edge to cut the continuous plastic web between the first mandrel and the second mandrel to start winding the continuous plastic web on the second mandrel; and thereafter move the first mandrel away from the surface of the winding drum; each winding station (112, 114) winding one of a plurality of continuous plastic webs (202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212); and each winding station (112, 114) being located at either a first circumferential location or a second circumferential location relative to the winding drum, and wherein successive turrets (214, 216, 218, 226, 228, 230) are at alternative circumferential locations. press a first mandrel against the winding drum such that the continuous plastic web winds on the first mandrel; move a second mandrel against the winding drum into contact with the continuous plastic web; actuate the knife edge to cut the continuous plastic web between the first mandrel and the second mandrel to start winding the continuous plastic web on the second mandrel; and thereafter move the first mandrel away from the surface of the winding drum; each winding station (112, 114) winding one of a plurality of continuous plastic webs (202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212); and each winding station (112, 114) being located at either a first circumferential location or a second circumferential location relative to the winding drum, and wherein successive turrets (214, 216, 218, 226, 228, 230) are at alternative circumferential locations.