Abstract: In order to use cut rags more efficiently and minimize tobacco waste, a standalone sliver separating device was designed for ZJ17 cigarette maker. The mixture of tobacco particles discharged from the separator in ZJ17 cigarette maker was further separated in a vacuum floating chamber of the first separator, then the heavier tobacco particles were conveyed into the dust removal room, and the lighter particles were conveyed into the second separator and separated by the centrifugal separation chamber. From that, the lighter particles (shreds) were used to manufacture cigarette directly, and the heavier particles containing less shreds were conveyed to the dust suction room. Two forms of floating chambers were simulated with Ansys Workbench14.0 software, the results showed that the square chamber was more efficient than the cylindrical chamber in sliver separation, and the air pressure range was from -1.8×10⁵ to -2.3×10⁵ Pa. The U-shaped chamber body was beneficial to the creation of airflow velocity variation and the reduction of shred breakage in the centrifugal separation. The sliver separating device was tested on cigarette brands "Yunyan (Soft Precious)" and "Yunyan (Soft Purple)" in Qujing Cigarette Factory, the results indicated that:1) The average shred content in the tobacco particles discharged from ZJ17 cigarette maker decreased from 20.27% to 1.80%, i.e. 3 180 kg cut tobacco could be saved per cigarette maker every year. 2) The standalone separating device did not affect the making and assembling quality of cigarettes. This device provides a support for elevating the lean production level of cigarette factories.