Flatbed Die-Cutting Rule Selection Guide

Jun. 26, 2025

Flatbed Die-Cutting Rule Selection Guide

For Die-Making Professionals in Packaging, Printing, and Electronics Industries

Flatbed die-cutting rules are essential components in the production of cutting dies. They are primarily made from high-carbon steel and are hardened through quenching and surface decarburization, giving them high edge hardness and toughness. This allows the rules to withstand high pressure and impact, making them suitable for cutting materials of varying thicknesses and hardness levels.

Common Specifications for Flatbed Die-Cutting Rules

Heights

Standard Heights: 22.9mm, 23.3mm, 23.6mm, 23.8mm (most common for mirror finish, ground edge, and nicked rules)
Non-Standard Adhesive Label Heights: 7mm, 8mm, 9.5mm, 12mm
High Rule Heights: 30mm, 35mm, 40mm, 50mm – typically referred to as "tall rules"

Thicknesses

Thickness	Point Size	Application
0.45 mm	1.27 pt	For adhesive labels, very thin materials
0.53 mm	1.5 pt	Balanced between flexibility and strength
0.71 mm	2 pt	Standard for general die-cutting
1.07 mm	3 pt	Suitable for medium to thick materials
1.42 mm	4 pt	For thick or tough materials

Note: Thickness selection depends on material properties and machine pressure. Thicker rules are stronger but harder to bend precisely.

Hardness Grades (HRC)

Tip Hardness: HS50, HS52, HS55, HS72, HS76, HS78, HS80
Body Hardness: HS47 to HS55

The cutting edge (tip) is made harder than the body for better wear resistance and sharper cutting, while the softer body allows for easier bending and forming.

Bevel Angles

Angle	Description
30°	Very sharp, ideal for soft/thin materials, but wears out quickly
42°	Most commonly used – balanced sharpness and pressure resistance
45°	Moderately durable with decent cutting edge
52°	Durable and pressure-resistant, but with lower sharpness

Smaller angles (30°) provide better sharpness but shorter lifespan; larger angles (52°) offer durability and are better for hard materials.

Minimum Bending Angle

20° minimum: For tight curves and sharp corners
Requires lower body and tip hardness (e.g., body HS47, tip HS74) to prevent cracking during bending.

Brands of Flatbed Die Cutting Rules- Model & Performance Comparison

Brand (Country)	Model	Bevel Type	Thickness (mm)	Height (mm)	Hardness (HRC)	Key Features	Recommended Use
BOHLER (Germany)	Universal	Center Bevel (CB)	0.71 / 1.05 / 1.42	22.85 / 23.80	50–52	Long-lasting, high hardness	Greyboard, cardboard, fast die-cutting
	Masterstrip	Side Bevel (SB)	0.71 / 1.07	23.30 / 23.80	54–56	Ultra-sharp, precision edges	Electronics, high-end boxes
TSM (Japan)	SuperCut	Center Bevel	1.07	23.80	48–50	Smooth cuts, low friction	PET, plastic film, paperboard
	EcoCut	Center Bevel	1.07	23.30	45–48	Budget-friendly, stable	General die-making
MISUZU (Japan)	SR-A	Side Bevel	1.07	23.80	50–52	Flexible body, smooth edge	Manual or semi-auto cutting dies
Saehan (Korea)	SH-RB	Center Bevel	0.71 / 1.07	23.30 / 23.80	46–50	Economical, dependable	Folding cartons, flexible board
KDR (Korea)	KDR-S	Side Bevel	1.07	23.80	48	Competitive price, rapid delivery	Mass production dies
NSR (USA)	Tru-Cut	Double / Side Bevel	1.07	23.80	52–56	Tough build for industrial cutting	Thick boards, high-pressure machines
Sandvik (Sweden)	SRX	Side Bevel	1.07	23.30	55–58	Extreme wear resistance	Heavy-duty die-cutting systems

Application-Based Selection Guidance

Use Case	Suggested Models
High-speed automatic machines	BOHLER Masterstrip, Sandvik SRX
Precision offset printed cartons	TSM SuperCut, MISUZU SR-A
Cost-controlled batch production	KDR-S, Saehan SH-RB
High-pressure industrial cutting	NSR Tru-Cut, BOHLER Universal

Tips for Die-Making Shops

Always match rule height and thickness with machine clearance and material properties.
Consider bending difficulty: thinner or lower hardness rules are easier to shape.
For tight curves, use rules with lower tip hardness and high flexibility.
Store commonly used thicknesses (e.g., 1.07mm / 3pt) and heights (e.g., 23.3mm, 23.8mm) in stock for quick die assembly.

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