Best Practices: Die, Anvil and Cylinder Care and Maintenance
Storage solutions
Fouts says there are also certain procedures that must be adhered to for die storage. Of particular importance are the knife-edges on dies. Like many fine edges, these are very fragile and even the slightest nick can cause enough damage to affect the diecut.
For solid rotary dies, Fouts says, the end bearers should rest on wood or plastic V-blocks so the blades are suspended, not making contact with any surface. Fouts says all too often he finds dies in the field that are being stored on top of shop towels or another padded surface. This may seem like good enough protection, but Fouts says you never know if there’s anything in that towel that can cause damage. And, the die is free to move, which can also cause damage.
Cory Francer is an Analyst with NAPCO Research, where he leads the team’s coverage of the dynamic and growing packaging market. Cory also is the former editor-in-chief of Packaging Impressions and is still an active contributor to its print magazines, blogs, and events. With a decade of experience as a professional journalist and editor, Cory brings an eye for storytelling to his packaging research, providing compelling insight into the industry's most pressing business issues. He is an active participant in many of the industry's associations and has played an essential role in the development of the annual Digital Packaging Summit. Cory can be reached at cfrancer@napco.com
