Reader's "Die"-gest

Notably, 8 percent of diemaker respondents identify a specific piece of new equipment as a key element in their quick turnaround arsenal: the Gerber Profile™ automated router. At American Steel Rule Die, which was primarily a jig die shop, the Profile first took up residence about a year ago. According to President David Catanzarite, the Profile system maintains jig dies' holding power, verticality, and reknifeability characteristics while improving accuracy. Catanzarite notes the system was fairly inexpensive to bring in (compared to lasers), and highlights the versatility of its routing table. For very intricate work in which punches or knives are extremely close together, however, he favors laser's approach.