Before diving straight into the
deep waters, let's try to get accustomed to swimming in safe waters. In short
let's try to understand what Die cutting is all about and from where it originally
originated.
Die Cutting
Die cutting wasn't originally
came into existence with the purpose of catering the craft industry, the real
intentions couldn't have been more different! In the 1800s, the shoe
manufacturing was extensively labor-intensive, requiring the workers to
manually cut the leather soles for shoes. To be precise it wasn't a very
efficient way of working, the task was not only exhausting and time consuming,
but the soles weren't replicated half as symmetrical as they needed to be.
There is nothing like
standardized shoe sizes back in those days, and it wasn't even possible until
the launch of die cutting machines that they finally found the aid for this
splurging problem. This new discovery allowed the shoe makers to make templates
for different sizes of soles to produce a precise replica using a die-cutting
machine and guess what mass production was introduced to the world.
From then to now die cutting
machines have come a long way. Today these machines are more compact, fast,
efficient and highly multifunctional. But it isn't only the machines that have
undergone massive change, die itself has evolved to a greater extent. Dies are
now made of wafer thin material and feature complex designs and patterns,
provide far more finishing and intricacy in cutting.
Now moving on let's divulge
ourselves into the world of numerous die cutting machines. Starting with…..
Manual Die Cutting machines
These are die cutting machines
that literally work like a butter cutter. Cutting dies are purchased separately
to be fitted in the machines, which in turn cut the desired material. Cutting
dies are available in all shapes, sizes, designs and patterns. There are few
companies all around the globe that cater customized die designs.
Digital Die Cutting Machines
Digital die cutting machines are somewhat similar to digital printing
machines. These machines are digital and cut designs similarly to how printer
prints. In this method, the designs can be sent to a digital die cutting
machine either through cartridge, in
which the device is already pre-equipped with the designs that plugs
into the machine or through a computer, where designs can be freshly created or
downloaded using special software's.
Electronic
Die cutting machines
Electronic Die cutting machines
diminishes the need of extensive labor, though they are massively expensive.
These machines work in a similar way to manual die cutters, the only difference
being that they do not employ typical crank system and instead work with a
motor, wherein once you have inserted the die plate into the mouth of the
machine, it'll pull it through automatically, putting pressure on the die to carve
out the design.
Die Cutting Machine Operations
Die cutting machines also come in
multiple variants that can do more than just cut. There are few additional capabilities that die cutting machines
have depending upon the type of machine.
Cut
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Cutting
is a standard feature on most die cutting machines. Some machines can cut
shapes as small as a quarter of an inch.
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Cut-by-color
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Some
digital die cutting machines can trace the region colors and cut through
outlines around them.
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Draw
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On
some digital die cutting machines, the blade can be replaced with a type of
marker to draw the pattern instead of cut.
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Pierce
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Piercing
involves making deep holes in the material.
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Engrave
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Engraving
involves carving or cutting designs on a thick surface.
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Emboss
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Embossing
is a standard feature on manual die cutting machines. It involves creating 3D
designs on a surface, giving the design a raised, defined and “pop-out”
effect.
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