Paper and board forming processes

laser cutting use & process

Used for sign making, card designs, prototyping

How it works:

• A focused laser beam melts, burns, or vaporises the material to cut through or engrave it

• Laser cutting is typically used for metals, plastics, wood, boards, and other materials

laser cutting advantages & disadvantages

Advantages

• Very precise and clean cuts

• Repeated accuracy

• Can cut a wide range of materials

• Minimal material wastage

Disadvantages

• Can be expensive for small-scale production

• Heat-affected zone can deform certain materials

die cutting and creasing use & process

Used for pizza boxes, labels, brochures and custom cutouts

How it works:

• Die cutting uses a sharp, custom-shaped steel dies to cut through materials

• Creasing rules are used to indent where the material folds, without cutting through it

• The die is pressed onto the material using a machine, cutting / creasing straight lines

die cutting and creasing advantages & disadvantages

Advantages

• Accurate and precise cuts / creases

• Can cut through multiple layers at once

• Ideal for high-volume production

• Prevents cracking of materials during folding

• Improves the overall appearance of folded products

Disadvantages

• Requires custom-made dies, which can be expensive

• Not suitable for intricate designs or small runs

• Not suitable for all materials

• Requires precise die adjustment

bending uses & process

Used for cardboard

How it works:

• Stamped out net is placed on the folding table

• Bending involves applying force to a material to change its shape without breaking it

• Machines like press brakes or rollers sometimes bend the material

bending advantages & disadvantages

Advantages

• Can create complex shapes with minimal material wastage

• Cost-effective for mass production

• Requires less energy compared to other methods

Disadvantages

• Can cause material deformation if not done correctly

• Not suitable for very thick materials