Zimmer Industries of Hawthorne, New Jersey obtained a US Patent on its No Notch Curving Process many years ago. At that time, it appeared that the industry was not ready or open to such a product. Today, even more than in the past, curved rotary rules without notches, create some very significant advantages for both the diemaker and the diecutter. Part of the reason for this is the advent and increased use of automatic rule processors. Additionally, recent refinements to this unique curving process, have made those advantages even more significant and important. No notch curving can be used on any type of rule- cutting, creasing and perforating. The process creates tighter tolerances of inner diameters, making the rule more stable and secure on the cylinder, thus, less likely to “bounce” and eventually crack from work hardening. Most cracking of conventionally notched curved rules occurs right next to a bridge or a notch. The absence of notches significantly reduces rule breakage and allows the rule to have increased contact with the cylinder, also reducing the chances of the rule “bouncing”. No notch rule is a more truly circular shape, in contrast to conventionally curved rule, which is not actually a true circle, due to how it is made. A more circular curved rule runs in a “smoother,” less bouncing and stressing manner. the security, permanency and stability of the rule in the dieboard. Conventionally curved rules have a tendency to spring back toward their original straight forms, because in essence, they are simply bent or curved. No notch rule is virtually a “formed” piece of steel, rather than curved or bent. Thus, any no notch curved rule is less likely to “pop up” at the ends. Some diemakers have stated that no notch curved rules are hard to drive into the dieboard in relatively long pieces. This can be true, but is easily overcome by the strategic placement of a notch or two into the rule. In some cases, this may be done automatically with rule processors. It is also said that no notch curved rule does not “open up” as easily as conventional rule does, but diecutters will also acknowledge that conventionally curved rule that is significantly “opened up” or “stretched”, is much more likely to break in the diecutting operation. Again, this is because of the rule “bouncing “ on the cylinder. No Notch rule can be ordered in any inner diameter desired, to specifically deal with many of the cylinder sizes and degrees most commonly used. Several diemakers using automatic processors have reported that no notch curved rules perform more consistently and more efficiently (especially regarding not hanging up or jamming) than conventional rules in processors. Right above every notch used in conventionally curved rules, there is a slight bump or swelling, where the actual bending or curving takes place. This may occasionally cause problems in a processor, (not to mention the potential reduction of rule surface area contacting the dieboard. No notch curbed rule- a product whose time has come. Give it a try. It works! |
|