Disclosed is a cutter device for cutting an absorbent article workpiece which is conveyed in a conveying direction. The cutter device is provided with a cutter roll whereon a cutter blade that cuts the workpiece is provided in such a way as to protrude from an outer peripheral surface an anvil roll which receives the cutter blade by means of an outer peripheral surface that is disposed opposite the outer peripheral surface of the cutter roll annular protrusions which are provided on the outer peripheral surface of one of either the cutter roller or the anvil roller and abut the other roll a first motor which drives the cutter roll a second motor which drives the anvil roll a first motor control section which controls the first motor by position control or speed control and a second motor control section which controls the second motor. Torque is transmitted to the anvil roll from the cutter roll via the annular protrusions, with the result that the anvil roll rotates by following the cutter roll. On the basis of control performed by the second motor control section, auxiliary torque is provided to the anvil roll from the second motor in such a way as to assist in the rotation that follows the cutter roll.
