Creasing matrix is a consumable system widely used for crease forming cardboard in the production of point of sale displays, packaging, carton and box forming industries.
Creasing matrix was created as a solution to aid easier set-up of a die-cutter and creasing template layout. Creasing matrix is a system that self-aligns the creasing matrix base with the creasing rule therefore imparting a perfectly registered crease to solid or corrugated board. Before the use of creasing matrix the process was set-up by hand in a method that is extremely time-consuming. Creasing matrix are essential in todays requirements for fast preparation and turn around in modern print finishing industries where cost effective solutions and tight deadlines are demanded. Creasing matrix reduces downtime of the die-cutting machine by enabling assured accurate location of the creasing rule and creasing base on the first attempt.
The self-locating ability of a creasing matrix ensures a precise register between creasing rule die cutting plate and matrix creasing base plate allowing for more complex packaging designs to becoming possible from die-cutting machines. Creasing and die-cutting is usually done at the same time by the same die-cutting plate eliminating the need for two passes through a die press. Different profiles of creasing matrix are available to enable creases to be created very close to the die cut edges and cut windows in the cardboard.
Different types of crease can also be generated by using a double creasing matrix or chamfered base profile specifically for corrugated cardboard which has the benefit of reducing damage to a heavily inked surface of the cardboard. The printed surface of the cardboard packaging can also be protected by utilising a reverse creasing matrix to eliminate contact between the creasing rule and the inked surface generating the fold on the backside of the cardboard or to produce a concertina fold in one pass of the die press.
The creasing matrix strip is trimmed to the length of each crease rule in the crease pattern and applied over the crease rules in the die cutting plate. The matrix locator grips the creasing rules with the plastic shoulders and the base profile adhesive side facing upwards. Chamfering the cut to 45 degrees on the end of the creasing matrix when trimming them to match the length of the rues ensures precise folds are produced into the corners of adjacent fold lines.
Once all the creasing matrix are positioned on the creasing rules the adhesive backing tape is removed from the matrix bases. The die cutting plate is then set in the die press with the creasing base plate and the two are pressed together. This transfers the creasing matrix base to the creasing base plate, automatically self-locating, creating perfect alignment between the creasing rules and the creasing channels in the matrix base. The creasing rule alignment locators can then be removed from the creasing matrix bases.
Calculating the correct creasing matrix to use for the card material and thickness required is important to achieve the desired finish. Creasing matrix come in a vast range of measurements with corresponding crease channels for the creasing rule thickness and variations in base profiles for any crease layout design. Colour coding of profiles and data sheet guides provide easy look up and identification of the creasing matrix available for any project.
For the range of creasing matrix produces available from Ultracrease visit the Products page >