Mag-Knight’s video library shows steel rule die design rules, inspection, and production cutting from our Snohomish, Washington shop. Each video below includes the key takeaway in text. To have your own drawing reviewed, use Instant Pricing or request a quotation.
Design Rules
Minimum Bend Radius in Steel Rule Dies
Steel rule can only bend so tightly. For softer materials cut with thin rule, the minimum inside bend radius is about 1/16″. For harder materials that need thicker rule, it is about 3/32″. Sharper inside corners on a drawing are rounded to the rule’s minimum radius.
Holes Too Close to the Edge
Holes placed too close to a part edge are harder to cut cleanly and can distort the part, which increases scrap and die wear. Moving holes inward makes the part easier and less expensive to produce.
Cuts Too Close to Each Other
Closely spaced parallel cut lines are difficult to build into a steel rule die and to cut cleanly. Opening up the spacing between cuts lowers tooling cost and improves part quality.
Quality and Inspection
Measuring to .0001″ with an OGP SmartScope
Mag-Knight verifies die-cut parts on an OGP SmartScope optical measurement system, which measures features to 0.0001″. Key features are held to ±0.005″ and general features to ±0.015″.
Die Cutting
Our Capabilities at Mag-Knight
An overview of Mag-Knight’s in-house capabilities in Snohomish, Washington: steel rule die cutting, laser cutting, and CNC plasma cutting for OEMs since 1993.
Mag-Knight Die & Laser Cutting
Production die cutting and laser cutting at Mag-Knight, with no setup fees and $100/hour press time. Corugated plastic being die cut to customer’s specifications for Abrakadoodle.
Die Cutting Foam
Die cutting foam parts on a steel rule die. Firm, closed-cell foams hold tighter tolerances than soft, open-cell foams.
Nickel (Ni) Foam Die Cutting
Die cutting conductive nickel foam and copper foam at Mag-Knight. Material thicknesses up to .20″ and further crushing to less than .03″ to create an built in electrode.
Large Format Die Cutting
Die cutting large-format parts at Mag-Knight. Fiberglass parts 110″ long being die cut in series hits for Freightliner Trucks.
Digital Die Cutting
Digital die cutting at Mag-Knight.
Laser and Metal Cutting
Rapid Prototyping
Laser-cut prototypes need no tooling, so designs can be validated before a steel rule die is built for production, using the same material throughout.
Thick Plastic Cutting
Laser cutting thick plastic sheet at Mag-Knight. A stack of (10) pieces of clear acrylic shown after being cut on our CO2 laser.
Laser Jig Cutting
Laser jig cutting at Mag-Knight. Relief cuts being cut in silicon bulb seal as close as .005″ away from bulb seal end without touching the critical bulb.
Laser Cutting Wood
Laser cutting wood at Mag-Knight. Plywood thickness being cut is 1/8″.
Aluminum Cutting
Cutting aluminum at Mag-Knight on our CNC Plasma.
Steel Cutting
CNC plasma cutting steel at Mag-Knight.
Assembly and Other
Electrical Assembly
Mag-Knight’s electrical assembly service.
Making a Fingerprint
Making a fingerprint at Mag-Knight.