Rotary Die Cutting Machine Manufacturers: Why Work With Them?

What is rotary die cutting? Why should I work with rotary die cutting machine manufacturers? These are the types of questions you may be asking yourself when deciding between different die cutting methods. At Conversion Technologies International, we’re pretty familiar with these processes. Read below for more info!

What is a rotary die cutting machine?

Let’s get into what a rotary die cutting machine does, and why it’s so important to work with reputable rotary die cutting machine manufacturers.

There are multiple types of die cutting machines, and rotary die cutting is among the more unique options. That’s because it utilizes a cylindrical die. We use this die to cut shapes out of different materials. During the process, the machine moves the die continuously in a circular motion. Blades cut the shapes around the whole cylinder, giving us the results we need.

Here’s the thing about a rotary die cutting machine: you can’t just set it and forget it. This type of machine requires a good amount of prep and adjustments. Consequently, this means that it takes longer to set this machine up. Once the machine is running, we must restock the material throughout its runtime, while at the same time monitoring its progress. While virtually all machines require some degree of monitoring and maintenance, it’s especially important that you stay on top of rotary die cutting machines.

So, why do we use this type of die cutting machine over the others? As is the case with any process, it depends on the type of material we’re working with. What corresponds to rotary die cutting isn’t necessarily going to correspond with other die cutting processes. Generally speaking, we use rotary die cutting within engineering industries. Some of the materials it works best with include plastic, metal, and adhesive components. However, when we use these materials, they must all be exactly the same size for the machine to function.

Let’s explore what makes different types of die cutters better than others.

Which die cutter is best?

When you make a production order, the machine we choose is dependent on your needs. Rotary die cutting machine manufacturers, for example, don’t bend the project to fit the machine. Rather, we find the machine that best fits the project.

Before you choose a machine, think about:

• What you need. Don’t compromise! Make sure that the final product you receive is what you need. This is naturally going to affect the method you select.
• Is the project industrial? Industrial die cutters are quite different from small scale die cutters. On principle, they may operate similarly—but in effect, they’ll provide vastly different results. (For one thing, industrial die cutters operate on a much larger scale.)
• Consult with the experts. Remember, you don’t necessarily need to manufacture products in-house. Many business owners choose to outsource to a third party die cutter manufacturer.

Yes—rather than handling industrial die cutter production on your own, you can work with a contract or toll manufacturer. The question is… why should you do so?

Why should I work with third party rotary die cutting machine manufacturers?

Yes, it’s tempting to handle all processes in-house as a business owner. We all want to maintain as much control over our processes as possible. But for one thing, as we’ll explore below, you don’t necessarily have to give up control in order to outsource your production. For another, there are a few different benefits to working with a third party manufacturer.

• Cost effectiveness. You could invest in the rotary cutting die equipment and facilities yourself (permanently or through rentals). Or you could outsource to a third party manufacturer. They’ll not only own the basic equipment you need—they can offer a die cutting machine industrial scale.
• If you’re not an expert on die cutting manufacturing, it’s easy to make mistakes. Mistakes like these are much more problematic when you’re operating on a large scale—they cost you time, materials, and money. A reliable third party acts as the expert.
• You need your products to be as consistent as possible. Generally speaking, a well-managed rotary die cutter machine offers consistent results. However, you need to know what you’re doing when you operate that machine. A third party manufacturer with a great track record is more likely to offer consistency.

As we mentioned earlier, the process you choose obviously impacts the quality of your final results. So—what are the different types of die cutting methods?

How many different die cutting methods exist?

There are three main types of die cutting. We’ve already discussed rotary die cutting. The other two options include…

• Flat bed die cutting. While rotary die cutters align well with industrial projects, flat bed die cutting machines better suit small scale projects. This method utilizes a hydraulic flatbed to cut the shapes out of the material. The issue with this is that it produces less product and takes more time. When you want to produce more—and faster—a rotary die cutter’s blades are simply more effective.
• Laser die cutting. This process is functionally completely different from the other two. While those methods use steel to cut, this one relies on a laser to create the desired shape. Laser die cutting is rather flexible, allowing us to make a number of different shapes as needed. The only catch is that not every material reacts well to laser die cutting.

In conclusion:

At the end of the day, it’s important that you select the right type of die cutting for your business. While we don’t offer rotary die cutting, we do provide flat bed die cutting and we can help you decide on the best process.  Give CTI a call at 419-924-5566 or go here for more information. Let’s figure out which die cutting process is right for you!