A clicker press is a machine that cuts shapes out of rolls of soft material, such as rubber,
cardboard, or leather, using a sharp metal part called a die. A metal tool and die shop will get a
pattern, and bend, weld and form pre-sharpened steel into a die. A cutting die is generally a steel
cutting tool to be used with a clicker press.
There are many uses for cutting dies. They are appropriate for cutting paper, leather, rubber,
plastic and more including envelope cutting dies, label cutting dies, clicker dies, window dies,
punch dies, gasket cutting dies, washer dies, trimming dies, high dies, threaded punch dies, rotary
panel cutters, corner blades, strap dies and more.
There are six basic types of cutting dies: Beverly Clicker Dies, Single Edge Dies, Double Edge Dies,
Gang Dies, Precision Milled Dies, and Serrated Edge Dies. These dies are crafted from steel and will
generally last for tens of thousands of cuts.
The Beverly Clicker Die is used primarily in the Shoe and Leather Garment Industries. It is simply a
clicker die constructed around a center plate, which acts as a brace like reinforcement, creating a
very strong and durable die.
Double edge dies are used in applications with an identical right and left piece. The double edge
die perhaps could be used to greatly reduce die cost. Such applications would be the shoe and glove
trades. A model would be a moccasin die with a distinct left and right size. By constructing a two
sided die the cost is less than making two distinct dies for right and left size.
Gang dies are standard clicker dies in dual configurations for high volume or multiple part
situations. A good example of a gang die would be a key fob in which you have orders for 10,000
pieces. Instead of just die cut one at a time it would be productive to cut a 2 up or 3 up gang die
to do the cutting job with efficiency
Precision Milled Dies are an extremely accurate die milled from high grade tool steel. The solid
steel milled die is best used in very close tolerance high production situations. Precision dies are
often used where extremely tight corners and fine tolerances are required. This type of die may be
costly as it requires a fair amount of time and skilled labor and expensive machinery.
New technology in cutting dies features a serrated edge that allows the die to penetrate multiple
layers of materials much easier than conventional edge cutting dies. These special edge dies also
help get rid of fusing with many materials. A good use of this type of dye would be cutting down
multiple layers of vinyl.
If you are cutting leather, and have a product that has a run of at least 500 pieces, then a cutting
press (clicker) and steel cutting dies are a strong consideration. You might debate buying a cutting
press for your manufacturing, or there are companies that will subcontract cutting for your
demands.
