Reader's "Die"-gest

Assessing, addressing die challenges

Just as their business climate perspectives largely parallel each other, the survey shows many diemakers and converters see eye-to-eye on the most formidable diecutting challenges facing the packaging market.

Diemakers and converters identify the same top two industry hurdles: quick turnaround to meet press schedules, and quick die tooling changeovers. Diemakers are most adamant about quick turnaround concerns, with 65 percent giving it the nod. One respondent plans to address this issue with a general focus on "fast flow manufacturing, additional personnel, and improved communications" in the coming year. Another intends to hone in on simplifying and streamlining thermal die manufacturing.