RP® dies provide significantly longer die life and like-new cutting quality through the use of shearing blades on the upper and lower die, co. says. These dies can reportedly make 15 million to 350 million revolutions before resharpening, and according to co., one folding-carton converter had passed the 1-billion revolutions mark before its dies needed resharpening. The dies can be used with web widths from 6 to 70 in. and cut material thickness up to 0.125 in. They handle paperboard, high-density plastics, masonite, corrugated, recycled and coated boards.

BERNAL, INC., 800/BERNAL-1, fax: 248/299-3601, www.bernaltech.com

Co. offers the application-oriented CNC and EDM solid rotary dies. The CNC series includes the RD80, which is designed for most pressure-sensitive applications, and the RD90, which is heat-treated to a higher degree of hardness to handle longer runs and some metal-to-metal cutting. The RD100 is designed for multiple-layer expanded content labels and other materials such as unsupported films, foam and medical applications. The RD200 is recommended for thinner film materials. In the EDM series, the MU100 is effective for metal-to-metal applications and long-run pressure-sensitive jobs, as well as for cutting intricate shapes and designs, co. says.

ROTOMETRICS, 800/325-3851, fax: 800/ROTO-DIE, www.rotometrics.com

Co. introduces a new high-precision rotary die. Made from tungsten carbide, it provides precise cuts across long production runs. The die can go up to 25 million revolutions before regrinding is required, co. reports.

SCHOBER USA, INC., 513/489-7393, fax: 513/489-7485, www.schoberusa.com

If a project has very long runs requiring clean and consistent hole evacuation or materials that are difficult to cut, a rotary-punching unit should be considered as an alternative to diecutting, recommends the supplier. Punch units can be designed and made for platform mounting or as modules that can be placed in the press die station. To remove waste, a vacuum system can be attached to the die cylinder or rings, and the punched pieces are removed as the press is running.

TOOLS & PRODUCTION, INC., 626/286-0213, fax: 626/286-3398, www.toolsandproduction.com

The laser-engraved Impression Series 3D Dies are made from a specially formulated rubber material that is vulcanized to a flexible steel backing for easy on-press magnetic mounting. Direct laser ablation engraves away excess rubber, leaving die surfaces precision-cut, clean and ready to run, co. says. These environmentally-friendly flexible dies are cleaned with water.

BUNTING MAGNETICS, 800/835-2526, fax: 316/2834975, www.buntingmagnetics.com

Co.'s precision rotary embossing dies are ideal for prime labels, tags and folding cartons. Converters can create premium paper looks and texture on commodity paper or label stock and use the dies for foil, metal and poly-film embossing. The dies are made of high-quality all steel construction for millions of impressions, co. says, and have been calibrated to ensure optimum impression and consistent performance.

DMS, INC., 800/655-7882, fax: 847/726-9292, www.dmsdies.com

Co. offers the same high-quality steel tooling it uses in rotary dies in flat-die configuration for a large range of presses. Flat-die tooling can incorporate all of the advantages of ejection, deep routing, multi-level cutting, “invisible” perforation, and other requirements.

MIDWAY ENGRAVERS, 800/643-9293, fax: 800/662-4439, www.midwayengravers.com

Co.'s mechanical method for mounting flexible die plates completely eliminates the need for expensive magnetic cylinders. It offers 5-min setup with micrometer registration. The Eagle 360 offers tool-steel, flexible-plate dies and modification-free installation in any rotary press. These flexible die plates are CNC-machined and provide 0.001-in. precision for cutting, creasing and embossing on a one-station pair of die plates. Manufactured from a range of tool-steel options and hardened to 55 RC-C, the die plates provide all the advantages of solid rotary dies with the economy of plate dies, says co. Blade heights up to 0.035 in. allow for cutting heavier materials. Rotary Pressure (RP) and crush-cut blades can be combined on the same die plate along with multiple blade heights that include creasing and glue perforations.

EAGLE ROTARY SYSTEMS, INC., 517/783-2500, fax: 517/780-4996, www.EagleRotary.com