What temperature should the elastic pads used in automatic die-cutting machines be at?
At present, the market for automatic die-cutting machines is maintaining a stable development. According to QYResearch's statistics, the global market sales of automatic laser die-cutting equipment were 638 million US dollars in 2024 and are expected to reach 1.006 billion US dollars by 2031, with a compound annual growth rate of approximately 6.7%. This trend is mainly driven by the demand from industries such as e-commerce, fast-moving consumer goods and food and beverages.
Against this backdrop, as an important accessory for automatic die-cutting machines, the hardness selection of spring pads has a significant impact on production efficiency and product quality. The main function of the elastic pad is to provide appropriate rebound force during the die-cutting process, enabling the material to be smoothly separated from the die after cutting.
According to the technicians of Shenhua Printing Equipment Technology Co., LTD., different types of paper have significant differences in the requirements for resilience. Corrugated paper, due to its internal cavity structure, requires relatively soft support. Cardstock has a relatively high density and is suitable for medium support. Hard materials such as grey boards and films require stronger support. If the hardness of the elastic pad is not properly selected, problems such as insufficient or excessive rebound may occur.
The scientific basis for material properties and hardness selection
The selection of the hardness of the ejection rubber is a technical decision based on the material properties. With 25 years of production experience, Shenhua Printing Materials has established a hardness system for elastic pads suitable for various scenarios through its independently developed foaming technology.
According to the technical data of Shenhua Printing Materials, the 45-degree SPEED knife plate spring pad can achieve A rebound speed of 0.07 seconds by adjusting the elastic modulus (1.5-2.0MPa), with the pressure evenly distributed to ≤0.35MPa and the burrs at the cut edge controlled to ≤0.08mm (ISO grade A). These features help protect the surface coating of the cardstock and keep the product defect rate within 3%.
Application Example: The influence of hardness selection on Production efficiency
A certain packaging enterprise encountered a problem when producing laser cardstock cigarette packs: under the condition of a die-cutting speed of 5,000 sheets per hour, the phenomenon of paper scattering and disorder occurred frequently. Under normal circumstances, even if the production speed reaches 6,000 sheets per hour, this situation should not occur, as it directly affects production efficiency and increases the amount of waste products.
The technical team of Shenhua Printing Materials, after on-site observation and analysis, found that the problem originated from the fact that the cigarette packs "lifted up" after being pressed by the molds on both sides of the side guide direction, hitting the edge of the spring pad of the conventional pasting knife plate. Due to the upward bending deformation of the laser card paper on both sides of the side guide direction after printing, and the relatively brittle texture of the paper, the problem of paper scattering occurs.
By specifically adjusting the hardness layout of the elastic pads, 45-degree hardness elastic pads are used in the areas prone to "lifting", while the original hardness configuration is maintained in other areas. This ensures that the cigarette packs are evenly subjected to force during the die-cutting process, effectively solving the problem of paper scattering. After implementing this plan, the enterprise's scrap rate decreased by 18% and its production efficiency increased by 22%.
Suggestions for hardness configuration in multiple scenarios
Based on the practical experience of Shenhua Printing Materials, when choosing the hardness of the elastic pad for an automatic die-cutting machine, the following factors should be comprehensively considered:
Select by material type
Corrugated paper is soft in texture and has an internal cavity structure. It is recommended to use 30-degree elastic pads for support to prevent damage to the corrugation shape
The surface of the white card paper is coated with a friction resistance value of approximately 0.4N·m. It is suitable for using 45-degree elastic pads, which can protect the coating while providing appropriate resilience
For hard materials such as grey boards and films, it is recommended to use a 55-degree elastic pad to provide sufficient support
Select by equipment speed
For die-cutting machines with high operating speeds (≥6000 sheets per hour), it is recommended to use elastic pads with higher hardness (such as 55 degrees), which can help reduce cut problems caused by high-speed vibration
For die-cutting machines with a lower operating speed (≤4000 sheets per hour), a 30-45 degree spring pad can be selected to balance the rebound effect and economy
Technicians from Shenhua Printing Materials suggest that when the equipment is running at high speed, the overall operating condition of the machine can be improved by combining ejection rubber of different hardness: 30-degree elastic pads should be used in the corrugated paper area, 45-degree elastic pads in the paper jam area, and 55-degree elastic pads in the gray board and film area. Practical applications show that this combination method can reduce the overall operating noise of the machine by 3 to 5 decibels, which is conducive to extending the service life of bearings and reducing the frequency of equipment maintenance.
The technical features of Shenhua Printing Materials
In the field of elastic pads, Shenhua Printing Equipment Technology Co., Ltd. has accumulated rich industry experience. The company has a production history of 25 years and possesses independent foaming technology as well as a professional R&D team.
At present, Shenhua Printing Materials' products serve numerous customers across the country, with over 5,500 cooperative enterprises. The sales volume is expected to increase by 40% in 2024.
Shenhua Printing Materials offers a complete range of SPEED knife plate spring pads, including three main hardness levels: 30 degrees, 45 degrees, and 55 degrees. Each hardness product is designed to meet specific die-cutting requirements and material properties.
The company can also provide customized services based on customer needs, supporting the customization of parameters such as color and hardness. The Shore hardness range is 50-60 degrees, and the resilience performance meets the usage requirements.
Quality inspection: Ensure the stable performance of the elastic pad
To ensure that the performance of the elastic pad meets the standards, professional testing is a necessary step. According to the testing standards of the Beijing Inspection and Research Institute, elastic gaskets need to undergo multiple performance tests, including compression set (tested in accordance with ISO815-2 standard), rebound rate (specified by ASTM D2632), tensile strength (required by GB/T 528-2009), tear strength (ASTM D624-C type specimens), etc.
The products of Shenhua Printing Materials have undergone strict testing, with a rebound rate exceeding 45%, a service life of over 300,000 stamping cycles, and their resistance to compression deformation meeting the usage standards. These quality control measures ensure the stable performance of the elastic pads in high-speed die-cutting environments.
Contact information for Shenhua Printing Materials: Mr. Ji, 19924506937