On BOBST-type automatic lines the die is not only a cutting form; it also decides how the cut sheet travels through the machine, where the waste separates and how the blanks are stacked. The stripping plan is the drawing-side expression of that flow, and it is prepared at the same time as the cutting die, from the same file.

The waste area must be readable on the drawing

A stripping plan describes where every piece of waste outside the product is held and where it is dropped. The waste regions must therefore read separately from the product contour, with inner windows and narrow gaps visible one by one; if product and waste are left to guesswork, the upper and lower stripping tools take their pins in the wrong place.

Narrow gaps get special marking: a short, thin strip of waste does not break at the stripping station, it snags on the product and stops the line. This is also where single-up and multi-up layouts part ways; the bridge width between positions is chosen so the waste can leave in one piece.

  • Waste regions are shown on a separate layer from the product contour.
  • Narrow, short waste strips are marked and merged where possible.
  • The bridge difference between single-up and multi-up layouts is stated.

Nicks balance production

The nicks on the cutting rule hold the product in the sheet until the stripping station. Not every piece of waste breaks with the same force: a large inner waste piece falls under its own weight while a small corner piece wants to cling. The number and position of nicks are considered separately for each piece, according to its own weight and location.

Too few or too weak nicks mean early break-out and a jam inside the machine; too many or too thick nicks tear fibre from the edge at the stripping station and leave a rough spot in the same place on every blank. With the product direction and machine known, nicks are placed relative to the sheet travel.

  • Small waste pieces at risk of breaking are noted on the drawing.
  • The direction of travel through the machine is stated.
  • Machine model and sheet size are shared before stripping design starts.

The blanking target changes the stack

If the blanks stay in the sheet after stripping and are collected by hand, the plan concentrates on dropping the waste. If the blanks go straight onto the pallet, the blanking station comes into play and the grid window is cut to the product contour; the gap between positions is then left wide enough for the waste to clear completely.

The blanking target changes the stripping approach as well: a sheet that reaches the blanking station still carrying waste drags chips between the columns. Locked areas, tabs and sharp corners are checked separately at the grid pass, and the waste exit direction is planned together with the stacking direction.

  • The stacking expectation (hand collection or blanking) is stated at the start.
  • Locked areas and tabs on the product are marked for the grid.
  • The waste exit direction is checked together with the stacking direction.

Trial and revision stay open

On a stripping die a small revision prevents a long stoppage, so every snag seen after the first trial stroke is matched to the drawing. The point where waste remained is photographed, and the pin or nick responsible is marked on the sheet.

The cause of the stoppage is written on the job ticket and the revision is tracked under the same file number. That way the same trial is not repeated on the next order; the die card records which nick was enlarged and which pin was moved.

  • The cause and location of the stoppage go on the job ticket.
  • The point where waste snagged is photographed on the sheet.
  • Revisions are tracked under the same file number, with a date.

Quote details we clarify together

When the file, material, quantity and deadline are clear, the quote conversation moves faster and with less back-and-forth.

  • Current revision file
  • Material and quantity details
  • Critical dimensions or production notes
  • Deadline expectation and delivery preference