Common Die Cutting Machine Problems: When is it Time to Call for Repairs

July 15, 2016

Today's die cut products rely on high-volume configurations, on raw materials, skilled production workers, and some form of rolling platform. At the heart of the operation, a die cutting machine shapes the approaching line of blanks into a scored and cut form, a refined shape that needs yet another processing station to do the folding. All of the processing stations mesh beautifully, but, unfortunately, this whole line grinds to a halt when the die cutting heart fails. Here are some of the common causes of these failures.

Breakage of Cutting Dies

If the die is damaged or broken, then there's no choice, the machine must be taken out of service. A few reckless machine owners have attempted do-it-yourself repairs by brazing the cutting blade, but this solution is temporary at best. A proper repair service is required. The die fracture needs to be fully welded and re-tempered.

Resolving Shortened Lifespan Issues

In one case study, the die was seen to work efficiently for a short period, but it failed repeatably when the volume of the operation increased. A preventative maintenance program eased the problem somewhat by adjusting the die clearance setting, but the problem persisted. The repair technician solved this breakdown conundrum by resetting the piston pressure settings.

Acceptance of General Wear-and-Tear

The pressure applied by the anvil component combines with the number of blanks passing through the die cutting machine to weigh heavily on the die. The carefully aligned die elements are knocked out of shape and warped by blank material hardness. The only solution here is to return the die for correction, which again involves heat treatment and re-tempering.

Inconstant Cutting Results

A worn die with a dulled cutting edge generates unpredictable kiss-cut results, most of which are substandard. Expensive sheets of paper and countless blanks are torn up by the internal mechanism, leaving the skilled operator dumbfounded. In these scenarios, we pull back from the die and look at alignment issues. The machinery is bulky and built to fill a small room, but it's also designed to deliver high-tolerance cuts, so alignment problems require professional attention. Torn paper and mistreated blanks also call for the same expert care. Electrical circuitry and hydraulic hoses are strong candidates for the preventative maintenance program in these cases.

A die cutting machine is a unique resource, one that uses many moving parts and meshing forces, but the result must always be consistent, so call a professional repair service when things go seriously awry.

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