Die Cutting Machine Industry Glossary

At MK Masterwork, we engineer die cutting solutions that unite precision, speed, and intelligent control.

This glossary distills the core terminology of modern die cutting—covering processes, tooling, automation, and quality—so that engineers, converters, and brand owners share a common language for higher efficiency and consistent results.

Use it as a practical reference when evaluating equipment, optimizing workflows, or integrating die cutting into a smart post-press line.

Die Cutting	Mechanical process that cuts shapes from sheets or webs using a die.
Creasing / Scoring	Creating fold lines without cutting through the material.
Kiss Cutting	Cutting the top layer while leaving the liner intact.
Through Cutting	Cutting completely through all layers.
Perforation	Series of small cuts allowing easy tear or fold.
Blanking	Separating finished pieces (blanks) from waste matrix.
Stripping	Automatic removal of waste material after die cutting.
Nicking	Small uncut bridges that hold blanks until blanking stage.
Make-Ready	Preparing the press setup including pressure and register.
Packing / Underlay	Layers under the cutting plate to achieve proper height or pressure.
Register	Alignment accuracy between print and die cut.
Registration Mark	Printed mark detected for sheet alignment.
Die	Tool containing cutting and creasing rules for converting materials.
Cutting Rule	Hardened steel blade forming the cutting edge.
Creasing Rule	Rounded rule forming creasing channels.
Matrix / Creasing Matrix	Plastic or fiber channel guiding the crease line.
Counter Plate	Opposing plate supporting cutting and creasing actions.
Stripper Board / Tool	Tooling used to remove waste from the sheet.
Blanking Tool	Tool that separates and counts finished blanks.
Honeycomb Base	Lightweight aluminum baseplate for die mounting.
Chase	Frame that holds the die in position.
Rule Height	Standard height of cutting rules, e.g., 23.8–23.9 mm.
Bevel	Angle or shape of the cutting edge.
Ejection Rubber	Rubber components that push the sheet away after cutting.
Flatbed Die Cutter	Machine with flat platen and flat bed providing high pressure accuracy.
Rotary Die Cutter	Continuous web system using cylindrical dies.
Platen Press	Press with toggle or knuckle mechanism generating cutting pressure.
Feeder	Automatic sheet feeding system with pile or suction feed.
Side Lay / Front Lay	Sheet register guides ensuring proper alignment.
Gripper Bar	Device that transports sheets through stations.
Delivery	System stacking finished blanks.
Non-Stop Feeder / Delivery	Allows continuous operation during pile change.
Stripping Station	Dedicated station removing waste around blanks.
Blanking Station	Station separating and stacking blanks automatically.
Quick-Lock Chase	Fast mounting frame for rapid die changeover.
Centerline System	Standardized tooling alignment for repeatable setup.
Job Memory / Recipe	Stored settings for pressure, register, and speed.
Servo Drive	Motor providing precise motion and positioning.
Closed-Loop Control	Feedback-based control for register, pressure, and motion.
Double-Sheet Detector	Sensor preventing feeding of multiple sheets.
Vision Register / CCD	Camera-based alignment and inspection system.
Cutting Force (kN / t)	Effective force applied during die cutting.
Cutting Speed (sph / m/min)	Sheets per hour or web speed.
Dwell Time	Duration the platen remains under pressure.
Makeready Time	Time required to prepare a new job setup.
Changeover (SMED)	Method for reducing setup and tooling change time.
Tie / Nick Optimization	Balancing sheet stability and clean blank separation.
Knife Wear	Edge dulling over time leading to poor cut quality.
Register Deviation	Offset between printed image and die cut.
Pressure Map	Visualization of pressure distribution across the platen.
Micro-Perforation	Fine perforations for easy opening or venting.
Waste Matrix	Material removed during the stripping process.
Inline Logistics	Automated sheet or pile transfer between modules.
Pile Logistics / Pallet Change	Automated handling of piles and pallets.
Predictive Maintenance	Condition-based maintenance using sensor data.
OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)	Composite measure of equipment productivity.
MTBF / MTTR	Mean Time Between Failures / Mean Time To Repair.
Safety Light Curtain	Presence-sensing safety device that stops motion.
E-Stop	Emergency stop system for immediate halt.
CE / UL Compliance	Regulatory certification for machine safety.
ISO 9001 / 14001 / 45001	Quality, environment, and OH&S standards.
Material Library	Preset machine settings for different materials.
Corrugated Conversion	Die cutting process adapted for corrugated boards.
Multi-Up Layout / Imposition	Arranging multiple products on a sheet for efficiency.
Nesting Optimization	Software algorithm minimizing material waste.
Data Connectivity (MES)	Integration of machine data with production systems.
Energy Management	Monitoring and optimizing energy use.
OEE Dashboard	Digital display of performance, quality, and availability metrics.

Die cutting is advancing through smarter control, faster changeovers, and connected data.

By mastering these terms, you can specify tooling with confidence, accelerate makeready, and maintain repeatable quality—capabilities that MK Masterwork delivers across integrated post-press lines.
Discover how our precision die cutters and automation modules elevate throughput and consistency at masterworkgroup.com.

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