How to choose a suitable precision engraving machine for cutting die?

Choosing a precision engraving machine suitable for die machining needs to be comprehensively considered from the dimensions of core configuration and functional adaptability in combination with the material type, precision requirements, size range and production efficiency requirements of the die. The following are specific selection points:

First, clear their own processing needs: the premise of type selection

Before selecting equipment, it is necessary to make clear the core parameters of tool die machining to avoid "over-configuration" or "insufficient performance":

Processing materials:

Metal die (alloy steel, high-speed steel, SKD11, etc.): It needs high-rigidity and high-power equipment, focusing on anti-vibration and cooling ability.

Non-metallic die (wood, acrylic, PVC, etc.): The rigidity requirement is low, but attention should be paid to chip removal and surface smoothness.

Accuracy requirements:

Dimensional accuracy of cutting edge: generally, it is required to be ±0.01~0.05mm (for example, it is required to be ≤±0.02mm for die in electronics industry and 0.05 mm for packaging industry).

Angle deviation of cutting edge: ≤ 1 (inaccurate angle will lead to incomplete cutting or material adhesion).

Flatness: the flatness of the bottom surface of the die is ≤0.03mm/m (otherwise, the force will be uneven after installation, which will affect the cutting effect).

Knife die size:

Small knife die (such as mobile phone film cutting knife die, size ≤300×300mm): optional equipment with a workbench below 600×600mm.

Large-scale knife die (such as carton packaging knife die, size ≥1000×1000mm): The working table should be ≥1500×1000mm, and the bearing capacity should be ≥500kg (to avoid deformation of large-scale steel plate after placement).

Output demand:

Small batch customization: single spindle equipment can meet.

Mass production: double spindles or multi-station equipment can be selected to improve efficiency (for example, processing two identical cutter dies at the same time).

Second, the selection of core configuration: the key to determine the performance of equipment

1. Spindle system: it affects machining efficiency and cutting edge quality.

The spindle is the "heart" of the engraving machine, which directly determines the cutting ability and accuracy, and needs to be selected according to the material type:

Power:

Metal cutter die: A high-power spindle of more than 5.5kW (7.5~11kW recommended) is required to ensure that hard metal is not "stuck" when cutting.

Non-metallic knife die: 3.7~5.5kW spindle is enough (to avoid the increase of energy consumption caused by excessive power).

Rotational speed:

Metal processing: 20,000 ~ 40,000 rpm (high speed can reduce edge burr and is suitable for sharp edge processing).

Non-metallic processing: 15,000 ~ 30,000 rpm (excessive rotation speed will easily lead to smoke and deformation of wood/acrylic).

Type:

Water-cooled spindle is preferred (necessary for metal processing): high heat dissipation efficiency, stable temperature (temperature difference ≤5℃) during continuous operation, and avoiding thermal deformation affecting accuracy.

Optional air-cooled spindle for nonmetallic machining: simple maintenance, but the continuous working time is recommended to be ≤4 hours (to prevent overheating).

2. Transmission and drive system: determines the positioning accuracy.

The machining of cutter die requires extremely high "positioning accuracy", and the transmission and driving system is the core:

Transmission mode:

Ball screw+linear guide rail (rather than rack drive) is preferred;

Ball screw: the positioning accuracy is ≤0.005mm, and the repeated positioning accuracy is ≤0.003mm (to ensure the small error of blade spacing).

Linear guide rail: strong bearing capacity (single bearing weight ≥200kg), stable operation, reducing edge ripple caused by vibration.

Note: the screw rod should be pre-tightened (to eliminate the gap), and the guide rail should be provided with a dust cover (to prevent cutting debris from entering).

Drive motor:

Servo motor (not stepping motor) must be selected:

Servo motor has fast response speed (acceleration time ≤0.1s) and no "missing step" in positioning, which is suitable for the continuous machining of complex cutter dies (such as irregular curved cutting edges).

Power matching: the power of the X/Y axis motor is ≥1.5kW, and the Z axis is ≥1kW (to ensure the stability when the cutter is raised and lowered quickly).

3. Control system: affecting the convenience and compatibility of operation.

The control system determines the programming efficiency and machining stability, and needs to meet the following requirements:

Compatibility: Support mainstream CAD/CAM software (such as Artcam, Type3, UG), and can directly import die drawings (DXF, AI format) to reduce format conversion errors.

Functional adaptation:

It has the function of "tool path simulation" (preview the machining path in advance to avoid tool interference).

Support "breakpoint carving" (restart can continue from the breakpoint after sudden power failure, reducing material waste).

Brand selection: give priority to mature systems (such as New Generation, Baoyuan, Siemens), which are more stable than minority brands (reducing the risk of "crash" in processing).

Third, additional functions: improve processing adaptability and efficiency.

Depending on the type of die, you should pay attention to the following additional functions:

Multi-axis linkage:

Machining rotary cutter dies (such as rotary cutter dies and roller cutter dies): A four-axis linkage system (rotation accuracy of axis A ≤ 0.002) is required to ensure the roundness and coaxiality of the cylindrical cutting edge.

Cooling and chip removal:

Metal processing: High pressure cooling system (emulsion/cutting fluid, flow rate ≥10L/min) is necessary to avoid cutting edge annealing (hardness reduction) caused by cutting heat.

Non-metallic processing: equipped with high-pressure air gun and automatic chip removal machine (acrylic/wood chips are easy to stick and need to be cleaned in real time).

Workpiece fixing:

Metal die: workbench with T-groove+vacuum adsorption (adsorption force ≥0.08MPa), taking into account the fixing requirements of heavy steel plate (bolted) and thin steel plate (vacuum adsorption).

Non-metallic die: with partitioned vacuum adsorption (the adsorption area can be selected according to the die size, saving energy).

Fourth, brand and after-sales: guarantee long-term stable operation.

Brand selection: Give priority to the brands that focus on "metal precision machining" (such as Beijing Jingdiao and Shanghai Bosheng), and their equipment is more suitable for die machining in terms of rigidity and precision control (avoid choosing a general engraving machine, which may have insufficient precision).

After-sales service:

Confirm whether there are local service outlets (response time ≤24 hours, reducing downtime loss).

Asking about "free training" (equipment operation, tool path programming, daily maintenance) is especially important for novice users.

Selection summary

Metal die (high precision): water-cooled spindle above 7.5kW+ball screw+servo motor+four-axis linkage (if required)+high pressure cooling.

Non-metallic die (medium precision): 3.7~5.5kW spindle+ball screw+servo motor+automatic chip removal+partition adsorption.

Core principles: accuracy first (transmission/drive system) → material adaptation (spindle power/speed) → function matching (multi-spindle/cooling) → after-sales guarantee.

Through the screening of the above dimensions, it can be ensured that the selected equipment can not only meet the precision requirements of knife die processing, but also give consideration to production efficiency and long-term use cost.