Die Lifelines
June 2002
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Industry experts advise printers on maximizing die life before, during, and after usage.
by Jessica Millward, Associate Editor
COMMODIFICATION OF MUCH of the die industry has obvious drawbacks for die suppliers, who face intense price wars and shrinking profit margins. But viewing these precision instruments as expendable, interchangeable goods may be eating away at the printer's purse as well. Damage sustained to a die through improper maintenance procedures or careless handling tactics will shorten its life expectancy substantially.
Pre-purchase and set-up
There are a host of possible missteps in die handling/usage, but shortened die life usually can be chalked up to one of a few key factors. "The general causes [of short die life] are not having the right tool for the job; poor handling of the die on press; improper die maintenance and storage; or careless shipping when a die is returned for repair," says Gary Smith, VP/sales at RotoMetrics.
Matching the right die to a given application is paramount to the die's present and future performance characteristics. Such specificity dictates a close relationship between printer and supplier. Action Rotary Die's Production/Purchasing Manager Seth Albert specifically notes the necessity of open, thorough communication between customer and die supplier regarding run length and type of substrate to be used.
Consumables are always a very prominent consideration in die selection because their physical composition may contribute to wear of the die material. As Atlas Die Product Managers Tim Bussard and Marc Love explain, "Many converters now use recycled paper products that may contain a small percentage of non-paper contaminants, including abrasive particles." Bussard and Love insist the printer must also add potential ink complications into the equation. As with paper, some inks are more damaging to die material than others. "A classic example of this is Titanium white, which is among the most abrasive inks and contributes to premature die wear," they note.
An equally important factor in using flexible magnetic dies, Bussard and Love relate, is the precision level of the magnetic cylinder. "Any low or high spots on the cylinder surface can result in a loss of cutting or a smashed die."
Before the die is even on the press, printers can take several steps to ensure the die will perform well into the future. Albert recommends having the die tooled to strike the liner as hard as is feasible. Also, he says, "At the time of order placement, the substrate to be cut should be supplied to the die manufacturer for thorough inspection."
by Jessica Millward, Associate Editor
COMMODIFICATION OF MUCH of the die industry has obvious drawbacks for die suppliers, who face intense price wars and shrinking profit margins. But viewing these precision instruments as expendable, interchangeable goods may be eating away at the printer's purse as well. Damage sustained to a die through improper maintenance procedures or careless handling tactics will shorten its life expectancy substantially.
Pre-purchase and set-up
There are a host of possible missteps in die handling/usage, but shortened die life usually can be chalked up to one of a few key factors. "The general causes [of short die life] are not having the right tool for the job; poor handling of the die on press; improper die maintenance and storage; or careless shipping when a die is returned for repair," says Gary Smith, VP/sales at RotoMetrics.
Matching the right die to a given application is paramount to the die's present and future performance characteristics. Such specificity dictates a close relationship between printer and supplier. Action Rotary Die's Production/Purchasing Manager Seth Albert specifically notes the necessity of open, thorough communication between customer and die supplier regarding run length and type of substrate to be used.
Consumables are always a very prominent consideration in die selection because their physical composition may contribute to wear of the die material. As Atlas Die Product Managers Tim Bussard and Marc Love explain, "Many converters now use recycled paper products that may contain a small percentage of non-paper contaminants, including abrasive particles." Bussard and Love insist the printer must also add potential ink complications into the equation. As with paper, some inks are more damaging to die material than others. "A classic example of this is Titanium white, which is among the most abrasive inks and contributes to premature die wear," they note.
An equally important factor in using flexible magnetic dies, Bussard and Love relate, is the precision level of the magnetic cylinder. "Any low or high spots on the cylinder surface can result in a loss of cutting or a smashed die."
Before the die is even on the press, printers can take several steps to ensure the die will perform well into the future. Albert recommends having the die tooled to strike the liner as hard as is feasible. Also, he says, "At the time of order placement, the substrate to be cut should be supplied to the die manufacturer for thorough inspection."
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