In-Line Laser Cutting

What are the benefits of in-line laser cutting?

No tooling required

Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) processing means parts can be created from your drawings or computer files.

No design limitations

Laser cutting overcomes the limitations of mechanical tooling. This allows design engineers the freedom to specify part dimensions that optimize finished goods.

Quality parts

The high-speed motion system manipulates the laser beam at a rate of 200 inches/second to cut parts to your desired dimension while processing material at speeds up to 100 feet/minute. This process keeps specialty part costs down and helps meet both prototype and full scale production requirements.

A variety of part dimensions on the same roll

In-line laser processing provides you with a variety of parts on the same roll or sheet. If you require a variety of die-cuts for a single unit, they can all be supplied right next to each other.

Eliminate adhesive flow

Many of today's specialty fastening adhesives tend to flow (bond back to itself) after traditional die-cutting. Laser cutting actually vaporizes the kerf where mechanical die-cutting only displaces the substrate. By vaporizing material, laser cutting prevents cut parts from bonding back to themselves when matrices (scrap material) are left with the finished product. In-line laser procedures also allow matrix removal on many materials that were once inseparable. By removing surrounding scrap material from your finished parts, productivity can be increased with automated application processes.

To learn more about in-line laser cutting, visit BudnickConverting.com

Flat Bed Versus Rotary Die-Cutting

When is it better to use a flatbed die-cutting process over a rotary die-cutting process?

For those of you who may not know, die-cutting is the process by which any shape, pattern or design can be cut out of various pressure-sensitive tapes, utilizing custom dies.

"Typically, we use a flatbed to cut thicker materials. For instance, we will cut thick foam tapes on a flatbed because of the deflection a rotary method would cause. Flatbeds are also used when the substrate you are using comes in sheet form. Furthermore, when a customer wants a minimal number of parts, a flatbed will be used because of the lower tooling costs, which make it much more cost effective."

This information was contributed by Chris Schoentag, Plant Manager at Budnick Converting, Inc. Visit www.budnickconverting.com for more information.

Corona Treatment

Can you tell me what it means to corona treat a tape product?

Corona treatment is is an interesting process that alters the surface of a material and essentially its surface energy. The material is exposed to a high voltage electrical discharage during the corona process, which causes the change to occur. This treatment is typically used to raise the surface energy of films such as polyethylene or polypropylene to obtain better adhesion of inks, adhesives and other coatings. High energy surfaces allow better wet-out of the coating than those with low surface energy.