Rotary Die or Flatbed Die Cutting: Know Which One Best Suits Your Specific Project

December 17, 2019

Sometimes, our business has to attend the needs of our growing list of products and services. Some of us even need specific equipment and tools just to keep things going. With our business rolling, we often need to cut specific items in huge volumes. Aside from cutting, we also have to die some materials for certain purposes like placing our brand name or heeding to the request of your client.

Whatever your business is up to, you need to have your cutters to meet the demands of your clients. Without these cutters, your production may slow down and can cause a decrease in your revenue. Depending on your project, there are two ways of die-cutting available for you, namely, rotary die-cutting and flatbed die-cutting.

Rotary Die Cutting

If you prioritize speed, tolerance, and accuracy, then rotary die cutting might be the best option for you. Rotary die cutting involves complicated multi-layer parts that can multiple functions under the same processing cycle without losing any motion. Raw materials are fed off unwind shafts as they are pulled into the machine. Here, the materials can be laminated, cut, placed, and registered in a standardized process. 

Rotary die cutting machine uses machined metal rotary dies that pinches a material between the sharp knife-edge of the die and smooth surface of the precision-machined cylindrical roll or anvil. The cutting action is then completed through a kiss cut, where the die is machined to leave a small gap between the blade edge and anvil. Through kiss cutting, a paper lining is left to keep every piece of the materials together until they are needed.

To guide you, use a rotary die cutter if your product is thin, your order volume is huge, your order needs to be kiss cut, and your design has tight tolerances. Some products that go through rotary die cutting are adhesive bandages, business envelopes, perforated tickets, and small cardboard boxes.

Flatbed Die Cutting

Flatbed die cutting uses a machine that has a flat fixed base and a moveable head. The cutting die is made from sharp strips of metal or steel rules that are bent to match the profile of the material being produced. Once the machine goes through a series of the cycle, the hydraulic pressure builds in a cylinder, which presses the head with the cutting die through the material. And in any case, when shaping objects with a flatbed die cutter, the machine can stamp out the products using the hydraulic press and the steel rule.

This type of cutting is slow. However, this method still allows easy removal of holes and easy removal of some parts from the raw materials. Quick changeover times can also be expected with flatbed die-cutting. Moreover, the flat bed die-cutting machines can be opened wide for them to process thick materials.

Again, as a guide, use a flatbed die cutting if your product is thick, your materials only come in a sheet, your order is small, and if you are looking for a cost-effective option. Flatbed die cutting can be done in plastic, metal, rubber, composites, and laminates. 

Knowing the qualities of each die cutting option can give you the freedom to choose which suits best for your next project. If you have more questions about these cutting options, then contact us now at Triforme Pty. Ltd.

Get in touch

47 Vinter Ave. Croydon
VIC 3136
Email: design@triforme.com.au
Phone: +61(3)9723 4400

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