What You Should Consider Before Using a Die Cutting Service
Plastic, rubber, and composite die cutting services allow you to create a product that is specific to both spatial and utility demands, so you can meet a wide range of needs without having to compromise design aspects of any new project. Whether you need a unique fitting for an oversized vehicle or a micro-sized component customized to meet large-scale production needs, there are a few things you should consider before you use a die cutting service.
Consider Material Dynamics
Do you need a certain look, function, or application for your end product? If so, consider the material dynamics of your die cutting selection. Before you begin a design, you'll need to consider how materials can function and look in the end results. Rubbers, plastics, and composite materials, when various ratios of materials are used, all have inherent strengths and weaknesses depending on how they are used.
There are a number of options when it comes to rubbers and plastics, including combining them in various ratios, so review temperature operating ranges, processing requirements, and the appearance you want before you begin. By considering dynamics of the material, you'll have a good place to start when it comes to pricing and production demands. Select, for example, a material that is more cost effective where operating temperatures and visibility are less of a priority.
Spatial Parameters and Critical Tolerances
If you aren't sure which works best for your design, you should ask a professional die cutter to give you the specifics about the critical tolerances of each material before you begin. A critical tolerance can be crucial when you have components that have to fit in tight spaces, under pressure or temperature extremes, or in proximity to other parts.
You may already have a general, or even specific, idea of your product's required dimensions and weight. But you should also consider the upper and lower limits of your end result so that a product with minimal tolerance for dimensional variance does not end up being used where it shouldn't. Critical tolerances with a wide range of difference will produce a loose fit that may render a design useless if implemented in the wrong place. If you're cutting a product that will be used alone or in conjunction with other components at a greater distance, it may be able to tolerate a wider range, which can sometimes help you save money on productions cost over time.