Folding Carton Flexo Printing Industry Profile (Die Cutting)

Die cutting

　　 1) This is just an option

Roller cutting is one of the most expensive processes in folding carton printing, but its position in the entire process is more and more important. Because more and more flexo printers recognize the high speed and high quality of die cutting. At the same time, the increasing demand has caused the attention of post-press equipment manufacturers, which can save a lot of expenses in large orders, which can also save costs for customers. At present, the quality of the drum die cutting is already high, the price is relatively cheap, and the speed is faster than ever before. However, the cost of roller die cutting is still much higher than the cost of platform cutting. Smarter flexo printers should understand the huge economic benefits of high efficiency and low consumption.

2) Die-cutting method

Those who are relatively unfamiliar with the die cutting are often wondering how many die-cutting methods are more suitable for them. For ease of understanding, we'd better give them a list of die-cutting methods and types.

Two kinds of existing die-cutting methods. The first is the most common and is called press cutting. Pressing the cardboard with a smooth, hard surface and then cutting it with a sharp knife is most common in flat cutting. The second is to have a pressure roller on the paperboard. The pressure of the roller is used to cut the fiber of the paper. There are several ways to call this, but it is generally called press cutting. In order to give an overview of these two methods, it can be said that the cost of cutting is about twice as flat, but the speed is 10 times.

Although the die has at least four different names, the two most commonly used are "integral" and "outsourced." The flat type is to engrave the desired pattern onto a metal roller. The curved shape is a pattern carved into a thin surface, and then it is loaded onto the roller. For the large amount of the general use of the former, the amount of small or proofs generally use the latter.

3) Cleanup of waste and transfer of finished products

This has a huge impact on flexo printing. If waste cannot be shipped out in time, the speed of the entire production line will drop. The same applies to the transfer of finished products. They must also be quickly removed. The printer must have these devices at high speeds. Many printing press manufacturers often overlook these two important aspects in order to reduce costs, causing great impact on users.

Printing presses are usually removed by a paper-type machine or by a technique called "pin belt". The former seems very simple, but it can easily lead to downtime and more paper waste. Although the needle belt is not the best way to avoid downtime, it can be greatly reduced, and improve efficiency, saving cardboard. Compared to printers without a needle belt, the cardboard savings of 2% to 4% can be easily achieved with a ribbon printer.

There are generally two ways that most printers pick up finished products, either by collecting paperboard or by stacking machines that can be preset by height or count. In any case, the operator usually removes the cardboard by hand, packs it, or conveys it directly to a folder or glue coater. However, these are manual, and skilled operation of the machine is crucial. A mature delivery system is very important for the printing press. Smart companies understand this and will make corresponding investments.