BG Peck is a leading processor of nonmetallic materials. We make our own steel rule dies to within +/-.005". We also supply solid tooling to within +/-.001".
Steel rule dies can be used to stamp parts out of most non-brittle, nonmetallic flat materials, plus softer and thinner gauge foils, screen or wire cloth. Steel rule dies can withstand hundreds of tons of pressure, so if the material can be cut cleanly (rather than shatter or break) by impression stamping and is softer than the cutting edges of the dies, it can generally be cut using this cost-effective method.
Many die cut parts have internal configurations, which must also be cut. These configurations can be a single hole or complex shape, to multiple holes around the periphery of the part or on a bolt circle. There are no preferable hole sizes other than to use standard available sizes that typically vary by 1/64" increments, to keep tooling cost down.
The minimum radii that can be bent is 1/32" and is often used when cutting mesh materials that don't cut properly at standard corner joints (polyester and fiberglass mesh for example). The 1/32" radius also appears to be a square corner unless carefully inspected. Sharp corners allow for better yields by nesting parts together in the tool.
There are practical limits to how many holes that can be present. Edges should be 0.125" apart. This number can be higher depending on the diameter of the punch and thickness of material. Another issue can arise with very thin materials; is that the material between close holes cannot support itself and breaks during cutting. If you are uncertain as to the exact specifications you can contact a BG Peck Engineer to help clarify information.
We can construct our dies out of a number of different materials based upon what materials are being cut and the life expectancy of the job itself. Material characteristics are a major consideration and our Engineering Staff is ready to assist you should you require clarification.