What Are Cutting Formes?
A high-volume die cutting process produces intricately shaped blanks, but the complex machinery responsible for this artistic wizardry is toothless without cutting formes, the shaped rules that cut the blanks. In illustrating the process, imagine the cutting frame as a cookie cutter. Gingerbread men are made from such rudimentary kitchen tools. The print shop version is similar, except technical drawings replace the cookie cutter and intricately generated cutting rules work on numerous materials, none of which can be cookie dough.
Tailor Made Cutting Blades
The machines on the factory floor use pneumatic cylinders and hydraulic power to force a plate down with uniform strength. The cutting formes are attached to this plate or platen. Of course, depending on the material being cut, we're looking at a number of variables. Paper stock and soft fabrics could conceivably be scored and cut by using a wooden forme or a cutting rule made from a soft polycarbonate strip, but this is a process that relies on rigid shapes, so a strong metal is the logical choice if repeatable blanks are to be generated.
Shaping Flat Bed Cutting Formes
Thin strips of metal or plastic are bent into intricate outlines by specially tooled machines. The initial shape is described by the customer, in the case of basic designs, or generated as a digital file, perhaps one created in a design-oriented software package. The rule making machinery combines technical drawings and digitally rendered shapes to produce an incredibly detailed cutting blade, the finalized forme. It looks sharp and far more functional than any simple gingerbread cutter. Based on sound engineering principles, the shaped strip is now ready to be inserted inside the die cutting machinery and attached to the platen.
Adding Detail to Cutting Aptitude
The rule makers in the workshop produce powerful cutting tools, shaped cutting implements that can repeatedly form countless blanks, but it can accomplish more than a straight or curving incision. The blade is also a tool for scoring or creasing. It adds perforated edges to card stock, shapes cardboard into cartons and packing boxes, and adds artistic flair to scrapbooking projects by delivering customized accents to any number of materials.
Formes empower die cutting machines, adding sharp teeth to the process. They start life as flattened strips and gain shape by passing through rule making machines. Armed with the final product, the cutting machines go to work, scoring, perforating, and cutting huge batches of paper or fabric with accurately rendered outlines.
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47 Vinter Ave. Croydon
VIC 3136
Email: design@triforme.com.au
Phone: +61(3)9723 4400
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