14. Paper and board forming processes

Question 1

What are the paper and board forming processes?

Answer 1

• die cutting and creasing
• bending
• laser cutting

Question 2

What is die cutting and creasing?

Answer 2

• cutters used to cut nets that when folded and assembled will form a 3D shape
• steel cutting dies (to cut paper and board) and creasing rules (to crease areas for folds) are used to cut out the net shape from the sheet of paper or board
• in industry some machines will cut, crease and fold the edges to create the 3D shape in one process

Question 3

What are the parts of a die cutting machine?

Answer 3

• steel rule die
• creasing rule
• creasing channel
• press
• plywood substrate
• ejection rubber
• sheet material
• press

Question 4

What is bending?

Answer 4

• the stamped out net is placed on to a folding table
• some die cutters may include moving parts that help to bend or fold parts of a net automatically
• e.g. when making boxes, the die cut net is held firmly while the sides are bent up along the crease lines

Question 5

What is laser cutting?

Answer 5

• ideal for prototype or small-scale production
• can be used to cut, engrave and perforate papers and boards
• faster than traditional methods
• gives repeated accuracy
• provides high level of detail
• allows design to be quickly edited and then manufactured