Die Department

Precision + Efficiency

CER produces standard and custom dies that provide market-leading efficiency.

Our toolless Magnetic Quick-Change Die Mounting System (unique-in-the-market) enhances operator safety while generating important cost and time savings.

Our Dies Market-Leading Range

Our extensive range of die technologies include:

Silicone Dies

Flat, Contoured, Crowned, Multi-Level
Single or Dual Durometer
Photo-etched and Machine Engraved
Die Finishing
Traditional and Magnetic Mounting Formats

Metal Dies

Steel, Brass
Flat and Contoured
Die Finishing
Traditional and Magnetic Mounting Formats

We Stand Out For

Precision + Efficiency

Tool-less die changeover up to 90x faster (restart production in under 5 minutes)
Up to 50% improvement in mounting accuracy (Magnetic Quick-Change Die Mounting)
Crowned, contoured and multi-level stamping with CNC machine engraved molds
Market-leading die capacity

Silicone Dies

CER produces durable, high-precision silicone dies that deliver crisp, clean, impactful decoration to your part. Silicone rubber dies are used to hot stamp foil and heat transfers onto flat, contoured or cylindrical-shaped products.

Our dies provide excellent thermal conductivity, superior conformity to surface variations and high-impact visual performance with wide range of foils.

Additional Benefits

CER dies provide:

Superior Formulations	For high-speed and long dwell time applications, our Thermosil^® formulation provides heat recovery to the die surface required for reliable performance.
Superior Silicone-to-Metal Bond	In addition to die longevity, this provides superior repeatability from die-to-die.
Magnetic Die Mounting Systems (optional)	Toolless die changeovers in seconds while achieving up to 50% improvement in precision alignment.
Graphic Art Expertise	Our graphic arts experts- eliminate “lost in translation” errors when it comes to creating your artwork.
Die Finishing (LINK TO SECTION BELOW)	We can save you time by providing a completely “ready-to-use” die. Hole drilling, matching dovetail and special trims are some of our die finishing services.

Formats

Our wide variety of die formats allows CER to identify a solution ideally suited to your unique application.

Shapes
Type	Common Uses
Flat	Vertical stamping, peripheral and roll-on applications
Contoured	Decoration that precisely matches a contoured part
Crowned	Eliminate air entrapment or to allow for heat sinks in plastic parts
Multi-level	Accommodate small height differences in parts to be decorated
Durometers
Type	Overview
Single Durometer	Dies ranging from 50 to 90 durometer to meet a wide variety of needs
Dual Durometer	Enhanced capability to stamp combination of fine and bold graphics or better conformity to part variation
Mold Styles
Type	Benefits
Machine-Engraved	Near vertical side walls to allow for sharper edges on decoration. Enables different reliefs in a single die to give strength to fine graphics and eliminate overstamping of large graphics. Crowns designed into die graphics assist with complete die-to-part contact over bold and large decoration formats evacuating air with the most efficient use of pressure. Most precise alignment to contour of a part May achieve stamping of graphics positioned at multiple levels on the part with a single die avoiding multiple set-ups.

Specifications

Silicone Rubber Formulations

Hardness

Character Height

Rubber Thickness

Aluminum Thickness

Ultrasil (Red):
High Heat Endurance

50-90 durometers available in all formulations (Shore A)

Dual durometer is also available

0.6mm reliefs standard

1.6 mm relief

15mm standard

Thermosil (Brown):
High Heat Endurance PLUS Enhanced Thermal Conductivity

60-90 durometers available

0.6mm reliefs standard

1.6 mm relief

15mm standard

Metal Dies

Metal dies provide excellent heat transfer characteristics for applications requiring an embossed appearance on flexible materials. Additionally, metal dies provide strong visual impact, high durability, excellent heat recovery and compatibility with challenging substrates.

Additional Benefits

CER dies provide:

Die Finishing (LINK TO SECTION BELOW)	Completely “ready-to-use” dies. Hole drilling, matching dovetail and special trims and more.
Market-Leading Fine Graphics	Detail as small as 0.1 mm point type on brass dies
Graphic Art Expertise	CER graphic art experts eliminate “lost in translation” when creating your artwork.
Magnetic Die Mounting Systems (optional)	Toolless die changeovers in seconds while achieving up to 50% improvement in precision alignment.

Formats

Shapes
Type	Common Uses
Flat	Vertical stamping, roll-on and peripheral applications
Contoured	Decoration that precisely matches a contoured part
Materials
Type	Overview
Brass	Brass dies are ideal for mid-sized production runs. They are less durable than steel but significantly more durable than magnesium. Brass is particularly well suited for applications requiring contoured dies.
Steel	This is the most durable type of metal die and the most cost-effective for high volume applications. Steel dies are ideal for high volume production runs on consistent parts.
Engraving
Type	Benefits
Machine-Engraved	Near vertical side walls to allow for sharp edge on decoration. Give strength to fine graphics and eliminate over stamping with large graphics with different reliefs in a single die Crowns designed into die graphics assist with complete die-to-part contact over bold and large decoration formats evacuating air with the most efficient use of pressure. Most precise alignment to contour of a part May achieve stamping of graphics positioned at multiple levels on the part with a single die avoiding multiple set-ups

Die Finishing

CER offers complete die finishing services for all of our dies. This service includes;

Hole drilling / equipment adaptation
Specialty trims (vs. square or rectangle)
Dovetail machining

Silicone vs. Metal Dies

Which die material is best for my application?

Here is a short answer- when selecting a die material, use the following guideline:

Rigid substrate →Flexible, rubber die
Flexible substrate→ Rigid, metal die

At a Glance:

Silcone Dies

High impact pigment, metalic, holographic or prismatic impact
More cost-effective than steel or brass
Less pressure required
Better conformity to slight surface variations
No plastic deformation around artwork area

Metal Dies

High impact pigment, metalic, holographic or prismatic impact
Embossed visual effect
Higher printing speeds
Longer life
May cause plastic deformation

Here is a much longer answer

	Rubber Dies	Metal Dies
Materials Available	Various for specific applications – high temperatures, quick heat recovery, & high strength	Magnesium Copper Brass Steel
Average Die Life	Contoured – X Flat – 2X	Magnesium – Y Copper – 4Y Brass – 18Y Steel – 20Y+
Surface Variations (sinks)	Will Compensate	No Compensation for Sinks
Variation in Material Thickness	Will Compensate	No Compensation
Set-up Time	Quick Process	Lengthy Process
Pressure Requirements	350 lbs. Per sq. inch (HS) 500 lbs. Per sq. inch (HT)	1000 lbs. Per sq. inch
Temperature Requirements	100F > Metal (approximately 300-400F)	100F < Rubber (approximately 250-300F)
Dwell Time	50% > Metal	30% < Rubber
Decorative Finish	Foil/Transfer lays on top of substrate	Imbeds foil/transfer into surface
Price	Initial Set-up/Mold Charge Die Cost < Metal	No Set-up/Mold Charge Magnesium – $ Copper – 2X $ Brass – 8X $ Steel – 10X $
Substrates *indicates preferred material	ABS Acetal Acrylic Polyamide (Nylon) Polycarbonate PolyethylenePolystyrene PVC – Plasticized PVC – Rigid* SAN* UV Coating Epoxy / Epoxy Coating Polyurethane Wood	ABS Acetal* Acrylic Leather* Paper* Polyamide (Nylon)Polycarbonate Polyethylene* Polystyrene PVC – Plasticized PVC – Rigid SAN UV Coating* Epoxy / Epoxy Coating Polyurethane*

Die Experts

+33 (0) 4 74 73 26 34

Our expert die team has unique insights into high precision die creation. We make both standard and custom dies and are eager to learn more about your needs.

Experts at Creating the Ideal Die for Your Unique Application

Silicone Dies

Metal Dies

Precision + Efficiency

Silicone vs. Metal Dies

Which die material is best for my application?

Silcone Dies

Metal Dies