Abstract: Systems and methods of generating an image of a modified desired cutting die are described herein. One image of a desired cutting die is received; an entire cutting edge of the desired cutting die in the image is identified, an image of a modified desired cutting die based on the offset distance and desired tolerance is generated. By using the systems and methods, The amount of material used to create a plurality of pieces of the material with a cutting machine is reduced.

Abstract: A die inspection station for generating an inspection report. The station includes a work surface to receive an entire cutting die thereon for inspection; a housing supporting the work surface; an image capture system supported by the housing above the work surface with an optical axis of the image capture system generally perpendicular to the work surface, the image capture system arranged to capture at least one image of the entire cutting edge of the cutting die; and an illumination source supported by the housing and arranged to illuminate the entire cutting edge at an oblique angle while the image capture system captures the at least one image.

Abstract: According to some aspects disclosed herein, there is an apparatus for perforating a sheet of material. The apparatus includes a tile holder and a plurality of perforation tiles removably mountable to the tile holder. Each perforation tile includes a fastener plate for removably mounting the perforation tile to the tile holder; a punch plate supported by the fastener plate opposite the tile holder, the punch plate having at least one aperture therein; and at least one punch received in the at least one aperture and extending outwardly beyond the punch plate away from the fastener plate for perforating the sheet of material.

Abstract: A system and method for producing braces for a cavity die having a predetermined shape are disclosed. The system includes an input file containing information about the shape of the cavity die and a bracing program running on a computer. The bracing program produces an output file based on the input file and brace parameters. The output file includes information about the design of the braces. The computer instructs a brace-making machine to produce the braces based on the information in the output file. The method includes the steps of: a) providing input information about the shape of the cavity die and the brace parameters to the computer; b) processing the input information by the computer to produce an output file containing information about the design of the braces; and c) producing the braces in accordance with the information from the output file.

Abstract: The present invention is a bending machine for bending material such as steel to form cutting dies for products such as cloth, leather or the like. Coiled material is fed through a material washer, straightener and printer by a material feeder to a bending head. If required the material is forwarded through the bending head to a heating unit and retracted to the bending unit to aid in bending. A nicking tool is also provided ahead of the bending tool to nick the material. The nicks enable the cutting die to cut notches in the product being cut. A support surface at the output end of the machine supports the material as it is bent into the required form.

Abstract: The present invention is a bending machine for bending material such as steel to form cutting dies for products such as cloth, leather or the like. Coiled material is fed through a material washer, straightener and printer by a material feeder to a bending head. If required the material is forwarded through the bending head to a heating unit and retracted to the bending unit to aid in bending. A nicking tool is also provided ahead of the bending tool to nick the material. The nicks enable the cutting die to cut notches in the product being cut. A support surface at the output end of the machine supports the material as it is bent into the required form.