Dimensional Specification
Steel rule dimensions determine the width of the tool used to create folding lines in carton board. In packaging conversion, crease rule thickness dictates the force required to create a permanent indentation in the substrate. Standard thicknesses are defined in points, and keeping this property consistent prevents tool damage.
Mechanical Interaction
Die-cutting machinery relies on a precise match between the creasing rule and the groove of the channel on the counter-die. When crease rule thickness is correctly aligned with the channel width, the board is pressed into the gap to form a clean hinge. An incorrect measurement produces either weak crease lines that resist folding or ruptured board fibres that split during gluing.
This interaction governs the conversion speed and the functional quality of the final box. High-speed cartoning machines demand uniform stiffness along these creases.
Material Tolerance
Board thickness and density influence how the steel tool interacts with the paperboard. When the crease rule thickness is too large for the caliper of the material, the outer liner cracks under tension. Conversions use specific formulas to balance rule thickness against the board thickness and groove width.
Proper tool selection prevents unsightly scoring and maintains the structural strength of the packaging.
