Rule Thickness

Steel Profile

Steel rules manufactured for converting dies range from two-point to four-point thicknesses in standard carton production. Thicker rules provide structural rigidity needed to withstand repetitive impact forces against hard anvil plates without bending. Thin rules reduce the land area contacting the sheet, enabling clean cutting forces on lighter paperboard grades.

Matrix Matching

Selecting proper rule thickness depends directly on paperboard caliper and fiber structure. Creasing rules must shear internal paperboard plies without cutting outer liner surfaces. Rule width combined with creasing matrix channel width creates the folding channel depth required for score formation.

Incorrect rule thickness leads to loose score lines or ruptured outer fibers during carton folding. Converting operators adjust rule thickness when changing between low-density folding boxboard and dense solid bleached board grades to maintain crease quality. Steel selection determines tool lifespan under repetitive high-speed stamping conditions.