Full Version: Custom Die ?

From: Zonas [#1]
 26 Jan 2006
To: ALL

I don't have a machine, but another person does and she will be doing all my embossing for me. I'm in need of a custom die, I know of two places that can make one, but I want to educate myself :O . All she knows is she orders magnisium dies - 1/8" deep (I believe it's 1/8" so you can use them on books). How are these made? Is there a way to make them ourselves?? When one company said they can ship custom dies the same day they receive the file, I got wondering how complex a system is it. Any help will be appreciated in understanding this better.

Zona
Zona's Engraved Creations


From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#2]
 26 Jan 2006
To: Zonas [#1] 26 Jan 2006

Zona,

There is a company in St. Joseph called Artcraft Engraving. They are secluded in the second floor of a building in our downtown area. They keep a very low profile. I have heard they specialize in magnesium engraving, so I assume that is for dies and/or printing. I will give them a call to find out exactly what they do. I've been meaning to do this for a long time and now you have given me the kick-in-the-pants to do so. I'll let you know what I find out.


From: John (ICTJOHN) [#3]
 26 Jan 2006
To: Zonas [#1] 26 Jan 2006

Zona

I have my dies made by:

Augustine Company, Inc.
1210 Industrial Blvd.
P.O. Box 797
Marshalltown, IA 50158
641-753-3875

Most dies are made using an "etching" process,
I don't think it would be worth the investment (and OSHA problems) to make on site, the chemicals are a nusiance to breath, get on yourself and clothing and oh yeah, to dispose of. The average price is a little under $20.00 and they usually get them out same day.

There is another company Pella Engraving Co. in Pella, IA which is very similar to Augustine - 877-549-5447.

LaserBits sells a product that can be lasered to make dies, but you will not get the fine detail of a mag. die.


hth,


From: Rodney Gold (RODNEY_GOLD) [#4]
 26 Jan 2006
To: ALL

The magnesium plate is used for printing and it has a photoresist already applied , all you do is print a positive or negative on transparency and expose the plate to uv with the print atop the photosensitive resist. You then wash out the plate , which removes part of the resist where you want the etch to happen. The plate is dipped in acid or some other mordant and the unprotected areas are eaten away. The reason magnesium is used are to do with etch times and the depth of etch as well as its heat transferrence characteristics. The dies need to be etched deep quick , the longer the stay in the etch , the more chance of the resist being damaged (the resist is what protects the unetched bits) and the more chance that undercutting will occur (the etch pattern is not straight down , it tends to etch sideways into vertical thin sections.)

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