Abstract: A composite die retaining board and composite die are provided. The composite die retaining board includes a master die retaining board having a die rule insert-receiving recess, and a die rule insert installed in the die rule insert-receiving recess. The die rule insert has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the die rule insert-receiving recess. A plurality of interlock features extending from an outer periphery of the die rule insert and interlock with interlock bays formed and intersecting with the die rule insert-receiving recess. Methods of exchanging a die rule insert with a different die rule insert are also provided and enable a rapid swapping-out of different die rule inserts.

Abstract: A flat die magnetic holding base is provided for holding a metallic, flat die. The base can be formed from a metal plate having a front surface and a planar back surface. The front surface can include a planar mounting area. The planar back surface can have a plurality of recesses formed therein. The metal plate has three or more corners, each corner having a through-hole formed therein. Magnets are permanently fixed in recesses formed in the back surface. The magnets are oriented in the recesses such that a magnetic field is generated by the magnets in a direction that magnetically attracts and holds a metallic, flat die, to and on, the planar mounting area. The flat die can be a magnetically-attractable, milled-plate, flexible die. Alignment pins extend away from the planar mounting area and align with through-holes of the metallic, flat die to register the metallic, flat die on the mounting area.

Abstract: A deflectable lifting device can be mounted to a frame, work surface, or other member of a material conveying system. The deflectable lifting device can have a base that mounts into a mounting slot of a frame, and a bendable arm arranged in the pathway of a material conveying system, such as a paper stripping or paper blanking work station. When a sheet of material travels over the deflectable lifting device, the bendable arm can bend and deflect downwardly, but still contacts the sheet of material to provide a small margin of elevation or lift to the sheet of material. The sheet of material can therefore be elevated above edges, holes, or other obstructions in the pathway, which could otherwise jam or snag the delivery of the sheet of material.

Abstract: A deflectable lifting device can be mounted to a support form, work surface or other member of a material conveyance system. According to embodiments, the deflectable lifting device can have a base that mounts into the support, and a bendable arm arranged in the pathway of a material conveyance system, such as a paper stripping or paper blanking work station. When a sheet or web of material travels over the deflectable lifting device, the bendable arm can bend and deflect downwards, but still contact the sheet or web with a gently humped or arcuate portion, providing a small margin of elevation or lift to the sheet or web. The sheet or web can therefore be elevated above edges, holes, or other obstructions in the pathway that could jam or snag the delivery of the material.

Abstract: A deflectable lifting device can be mounted to a frame, work surface or other support in a material conveyance system. The device can have a base mounted in the support, and a bendable arm arranged in the pathway of the conveyance system. When a sheet or web of material travels over the deflectable lifting device, the bendable arm can bend and deflect downwardly, but still contact and lift the sheet or web, providing a small margin of elevation or lift to the sheet or web. The sheet or web can therefore be elevated above edges, holes, or other obstructions in the pathway that could jam or snag the delivery of the material.

Abstract: A sheet lifting device is provided for lifting a sheet or web of material in a press. The device can include a base portion and a resilient, bendable arm extending from the base portion. The base portion can include a merge portion that connects the resilient, bendable arm to the rest of the base portion. A system is provided that includes the sheet lifting device mounted in a slot of a support frame, for example, in a blanking press. Methods of conveying a sheet or web of material using the system are also provided.

Abstract: A kerf lock is provided for the retention of die cutting dies in die slots of a retaining board. A retaining system is also provided and includes a plurality of lock slots oriented substantially perpendicularly to a direction of insertion of a die cutting die. The lock slots have open faces to permit communication with the die slots. When the kerf lock is located within a lock slot it extends into the die slot until a die is inserted into the die slot. Upon initial insertion of a die into the die slot, the kerf lock compresses laterally. Once the die is completely inserted, the kerf lock exerts a normal force against the die in the direction of the die slot wall opposite the open face. An inserted die cutting die can thus be securely held within the die slot.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, the present teachings relate to a paper pushing device. The paper pushing device can include a shaft configured to be received and anchored in an opening of a substrate, for example, a retaining board. The paper pushing device can include a base that extends from the shaft, and a paddle connected to the base at a shoulder. The base can extend in a first direction perpendicular to the shaft and away from the central axis of the shaft, and the paddle can extend in a second direction opposite the first direction and past the central axis of the shaft. Methods are also provided whereby the paper pushing device can be used in various die-cutting and workpiece manipulating operations.

Abstract: A sheet lifting device is provided for lifting a sheet or web of material in a press. The device can include a base portion and a resilient, bendable arm extending from the base portion. The base portion can include a merge portion that connects the resilient, bendable arm to the rest of the base portion. A system is provided that includes the sheet lifting device mounted in a slot of a support frame, for example, in a blanking press. Methods of conveying a sheet or web of material using the system are also provided.

Abstract: A deflectable lifting device can be mounted to a support form, work surface or other member of a material conveyance system. According to embodiments, the deflectable lifting device can have a base that mounts into the support, and a bendable arm arranged in the pathway of a material conveyance system, such as a paper stripping or paper blanking work station. When a sheet or web of material travels over the deflectable lifting device, the bendable arm can bend and deflect downwards, but still contact the sheet or web with a gently humped or arcuate portion, providing a small margin of elevation or lift to the sheet or web. The sheet or web can therefore be elevated above edges, holes, or other obstructions in the pathway that could jam or snag the delivery of the material. The deflectable lifting device can comprise an arcuate portion or head over which the sheet or web can slide in a bearing fashion.

Abstract: A deflectable lifting device can be mounted to a frame, work surface or other support in a material conveyance system. The device can have a base mounted in the support, and a bendable arm arranged in the pathway of the conveyance system. When a sheet or web of material travels over the deflectable lifting device, the bendable arm can bend and deflect downwardly, but still contact and lift the sheet or web, providing a small margin of elevation or lift to the sheet or web. The sheet or web can therefore be elevated above edges, holes, or other obstructions in the pathway that could jam or snag the delivery of the material.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, the present teachings relate to a paper pushing device. The paper pushing device can comprise a shaft configured to be received and anchored in an opening of a retaining board. The paper pushing device can comprise a head connected to the shaft. The paper pushing device can comprise an arm that extends from the head at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The paper pushing device can be used in various tool and die, stock manipulating operations.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, the present teachings relate to a paper pushing device. The paper pushing device can include a shaft configured to be received and anchored in an opening of a substrate, for example, a retaining board. The paper pushing device can include a base that extends from the shaft, and a paddle connected to the base at a shoulder. The base can extend in a first direction perpendicular to the shaft and away from the central axis of the shaft, and the paddle can extend in a second direction opposite the first direction and past the central axis of the shaft. Methods are also provided whereby the paper pushing device can be used in various die-cutting and workpiece manipulating operations.

Abstract: A deflectable lifting device can be mounted to a support form, work surface or other member of a material conveyance system. According to embodiments, the deflectable lifting device can have a base that mounts into the support, and a bendable arm arranged in the pathway of a material conveyance system, such as a paper stripping or paper blanking work station. When a sheet or web of material travels over the deflectable lifting device, the bendable arm can bend and deflect downwards, but still contact the sheet or web with a gently humped or arcuate portion, providing a small margin of elevation or lift to the sheet or web. The sheet or web can therefore be elevated above edges, holes, or other obstructions in the pathway that could jam or snag the delivery of the material. The deflectable lifting device can comprise an arcuate portion or head over which the sheet or web can slide in a bearing fashion.

Abstract: A set of burst cutting dies is provided and includes an upper die plate and a lower die plate. The set of burst cutting dies can be mounted within a flat die press to form a burst cutting die press. The upper die plate can have a working surface having a substantially uniform minimum thickness defining a recessed surface across a majority of the area of the working surface. A plurality of workpiece manipulating features can extend from the recessed surface to defile areas of the working surface having thicknesses that are greater than the uniform minimum thickness. The lower die plate can have a working surface having a substantially uniform maximum thickness defining a contact surface across a majority of the area of the working surface. A plurality of workpiece manipulating features can be recessed from the contact surface to define areas of the working surface having thicknesses that are less than the maximum thickness. A method of burst cutting using the burst cutting die press is also provided.

Abstract: A deflectable lifting device can be mounted to a support form, work surface or other member of a material conveyance system. According to embodiments, the deflectable lifting device can have a base that mounts into the support, and a bendable arm arranged in the pathway of a material conveyance system, such as a paper stripping or paper blanking work station. When a sheet or web of material travels over the deflectable lifting device, the bendable arm can bend and deflect downwards, but still contact the sheet or web with a gently humped or arcuate portion, providing a small margin of elevation or lift to the sheet or web. The sheet or web can therefore be elevated above edges, holes, or other obstructions in the pathway that could jam or snag the delivery of the material. The deflectable lifting device can comprise an arcuate portion or head over which the sheet or web can slide in a bearing fashion.

Abstract: A kerf lock is provided for the retention of die cutting dies in die slots of a retaining board. A retaining system is also provided and includes a plurality of lock slots oriented substantially perpendicularly to a direction of insertion of a die cutting die. The lock slots have open faces to permit communication with the die slots. When the kerf lock is located within a lock slot it extends into the die slot until a die is inserted into the die slot. Upon initial insertion of a die into the die slot, the kerf lock compresses laterally. Once the die is completely inserted, the kerf lock exerts a normal force against the die in the direction of the die slot wall opposite the open face. An inserted die cutting die can thus be securely held within the die slot.

Abstract: A paperboard lifting device can be mounted to a plate, support form, work surface or other member of a material conveyance system. When a sheet or web of material travels over the paperboard lifting device, it can provide a margin of elevation or lift to the sheet or web. The sheet or web can therefore be elevated above edges, holes, or other obstructions in the pathway that could jam or snag the delivery of the material.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, the present teachings relate to a paper pushing device. The paper pushing device can comprise a shaft configured to be received and anchored in an opening of a retaining board. The paper pushing device can comprise a head connected to the shaft. The paper pushing device can comprise an arm that extends from the head at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The paper pushing device can be used in various tool and die, stock manipulating operations.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, the present teachings relate to an alignment device, method, and system for aligning an upper platen of a paperboard press with a lower platen of a paperboard press. The alignment device can comprise a latching collar adapted to be mounted on a lower platen. The latching collar can comprise a central hole and can be adapted to be mounted on or affixed to the lower platen. The latching collar can comprise a locking area. The alignment device can further comprise a plunger unit. The plunger unit can comprise a housing, a securing device attached to the housing, and a plunger configured for reciprocal motion through the housing. The securing device can be adapted to removably secure the housing to a top surface of an upper platen of a paperboard press.