Die cutting process

With the continuous expansion of China's consumer goods market, the packaging industry has developed rapidly. At the same time, it has also increased the intensity of technological transformation, especially the introduction of a large number of gravure printing equipment and flexo printing equipment. All of these require a significant advance in the level of die-cutting technology. In terms of hardware, the level of die-cutting technology mainly depends on two aspects: first, the quality of the die-cutting machine, and second, the production of the template. As far as the current situation is concerned, the market for die cutting machines ranges from high-quality international brands to more cost-effective domestic brands. The die-cut version of the processing is not optimistic. The following will analyze the status and development of the die-cut version of the processing industry from several aspects:

I. The contradiction between the modern die-cutting ability and the low level of template production technology

At present, the level and capability of gravure printing in East China and Southwest China can be said to be close to or reach the advanced level of foreign industries. Due to the requirements for continuous processing and production of products, many are equipped with advanced stand-alone die-cutting equipment, and some even have in-line die-cutting equipment. From the equipment's point of view, the ability of printing-die cutting has been very strong and has been scaled. However, on the whole, the die-cut version of the processing technology has never improved. At present, China's die-cut version of the processing are mainly the following situations:

1. Only wood stencils can be processed. Because the plate is made of wood, the processing accuracy is poor, the flatness is low, and it can only be changed at most three times. The die cut version has a short life span and is not suitable for die-cutting of large-printed prints.

2. In the important process of opening and grooving, manual cutting is the main method, and only a small amount of advanced laser cutting technology is used. However, it is difficult to ensure the linear accuracy of the sipe and the accuracy in the width and depth directions by manual operation, and the repeat accuracy is also poor. In terms of laser cutting, laser cutting machines for cutting flutes in the country are mostly refitted from industrial laser cutting machines. In many aspects, they cannot meet the requirements for template production, such as low laser frequency, poor light converging property, and large concentration angle. These will have an impact on the quality of the template: sipes will produce a difference in width above and below, Tibetan knife loose and so on. Reduces the service life of the die cut, but also affects the accuracy of die cutting.
Both α1 and α2 are converging angles, α1>α2
3. The processing technology of knife and strip mainly depends on the hand, the degree of mechanization is extremely low, the processing cycle is long, and the product quality is unstable.
4. Gypsum processing technology is used in the processing of relief printing. The accuracy is poor, the service life is short, and the registration is difficult.
All of these have attracted great attention in the printing industry. Especially in gravure printing, flexographic printing presses or in large-scale printing business. Since there is no practical solution available at present, the only way out is to purchase brand-name die-cutting plate-making equipment from abroad.

II. The latest features of foreign die-cutting processing

Due to the rapid development of laser and computer technology in recent years, it has also promoted the improvement of foreign die-cutting plate processing technology and technology. Specific performance in computerization, laser cutting, automated processing machinery, complete sets, specialization, multi-level product.
1. Designing Computerization In foreign countries, some large die-cut processing companies use computers in the entire process of product creation, design, modification, simulation, and production, and are networked with back-end processes, greatly shortening the cycle and accelerating the production schedule.
2. Cutting lasers Unless the plate material is a synthetic material such as glass fiber, it will use a high pressure water jet to open the knife slot; for wood, steel plate and other general plate, laser cutting method is generally used. This not only gives the die-cut version a stable and lasting high quality, but also has a long life and high repeatability.
3. Processing machinery automation, complete sets, specialization At present, the domestic die-cutting plate processing has the characteristics of “more than one and less”—many hand-processed components, multiple stand-alone work, and low degree of specialization. In contrast, the foreign die-cut version of the processing technology reflects its advanced nature in terms of its mechanical automation, complete sets, and specialization. For example, the famous die-cutting processing machinery company in Europe - ELCEDE, its products cover the entire process of making the entire die-cutting plate: various power professional laser cutting machine, automatic bottom plate cutting machine, automatic knife cutting system (including broken Knives, machete, gaps, etc.)
4. The multi-level die-cutting of a product is also divided into a long version and a short version as well as printing, so there is a different requirement for the life of the die-cut version. In general, the quality of the cutting blade used for die-cutting and creasing can be controlled stably. Therefore, the number of times the die-cutting plate can replace the cutting blade becomes the main factor that determines its life. The number of tool change times for multi-layer compressed wood, glass fiber and composite steel plates was: compressed wood plate 3 times; glass fiber plate 6 times; and composite steel plate 12 times or more. The structure of the composite steel plate is a steel plate above and below, and a synthetic plastic filler in the middle, which has a long life and high precision, and is particularly suitable for the long and special long version of the cigarette box and food Packaging Box.

III. Development Prospects of China's Die-cutting Processing Industry

Over the past 20 years of reform and opening up, the people’s living standards have been continuously improved, and the requirements for packaging have also become higher and higher. Die-cutting processing industry as an important part of the packaging industry is also rapidly developing. Although China's die-cut version of the processing industry is still lagging behind, it has broad prospects for development. To improve the backwardness of China's die-cutting plate processing industry, we must also develop our own national industry while introducing advanced foreign technology and equipment. This is the real way out for China's die-cut version of the processing industry.