Getting the Right Impression

The most noted change is the integration of several disciplines to gain the benefit of both cutting onto and in cutting into. This technique refers to the use of a steel cutting plate of a lower Rockwell hardness than the edge hardness of the knife. In response to any variability in cutting performance the die is cycled lower and some of the knives will slightly penetrate the sacrificial steel cutting plate. However as the cutting plate is softer than the knife the sharpness of the edge is protected and using a more precise overall pressure adjustment, cutting plate damage is minimized. This combination of a steel to steel cutting system with the benefit of a softer "sacrificial" anvil is highly successful and is gaining broad acceptance. Not only does this system of diecutting ensure consistent output quality it significantly reduces the time require to level or to make-ready the press. As you would expect Bobst in the platen field and several manufacturers in the rotary arena are important players in these developments.