The Case of the Cookie Cutter

It all started as an idea. About 15 years ago, I had the urge to write a book on the diecutting process. At that time I developed an index of topics that I wanted to cover in the book. I even wrote several chapters. As you may recall, 15 years ago was also the time that the Internet was coming to life. I therefore had a conflict. Should I write the book or develop a super website on the diecutting process. At that moment idea of a website seemed more important to me and www.dieco.com came to life. The idea of the book was temporarily put on the shelf. In the succeeding years, I wrote over 60 articles on diemaking and diecutting and posted them in the website.

Now let’s fast forward to 2007. Now in my early 70’s, the idea of writing the book again came to life. There was no comprehensive book that encompassed the complete spectrum of flatbed, multi-contour and rotary diecutting with its associated cutting die tooling and associated products. If you went to a library looking for a book on diecutting, you would come home empty handed. There were a number of books on printing, for example, but none on diecutting.

I wanted to write a book that would provide a comprehensive study of the diecutting process with all of its many interesting components. When the book is completed and published it will provide interested readers a comprehensive study of diecutting and diemaking. Someday, when someone wants information on diecutting and diemaking they will have the definitive resource that they always longed for.

I intend to write the book as a collection of stories. In early times people passed on knowledge by telling stories. With Gutenberg’s invention of his printing press in 1436, it was possible to bring the written word to many more people. The computer made it even easier and practical for individuals like myself to organize and write a book. So, in 2007 I started my journey in writing my book.

I decided that a very appropriate title could be “The Case of the Cookie Cutter”. After all, the basics of diecutting probably started in the kitchens of many homes when a women decided to make cookies in different shapes using a tin cookie cutter to press through some rolled out cookie dough to make shapes like a heart, Christmas tree or an animal like a cat or a dog. Women did not realize at that time that they were performing a basic concept that would become diecutting of all soft to semi-rigid materials, including cookie dough.

My next challenge was to develop an index for the book that would include many chapters that would encompass all the many elements of the diecutting process. This exercise took several months and many revisions until I had an outline of what I wanted to write about.

I sent emails to over 880 companies in the diecutting process to diecutting press manufacturers and companies that provided diecutting tooling for those presses. I explained what I wanted to do and requested their cooperation in gathering information for the book. The response has been most gratifying. On the other hand, I have to say that some companies have not yet embraced my enthusiasm to be included in this project. I still welcome their participation to make the book inclusive of all of the many diverse elements of our industry.

The book will be composed of 7 parts:

Part 1 - Introduction

What is Diecutting?

The Essential Elements

The Competitive Advantage

Part 2 - History

From the Beginning - The Evolution of Diecutting & Diemaking

The First Meeting - 1842

Milestones - Time Lines

Company Histories

Part 3 - Diecutting

Diecutting 101

Diecutting Press Systems

• Flatbed
• Multi-Contour
• Rotary

Die Cut Materials & Products

Flatbed vs. Rotary

Material Utilization

Part 4 - Diecutting Tooling

Diemaking 101

Types of Diecutting Tooling

• Flatbed
• Multi-Contour
• Rotary

Diemaking Materials

Part 5 - Alternative Cutting Systems

Dieless Diecutting

Laser

Waterjet

Part 6 - Associated Information

Associations

Publications

Foil Stamping & Embossing

Part 7 - Diecutting & Diemaking Glossary of Terms

The Essential Elements

I realize that no one person is an expert in all of the many different segments of the diecutting process. Some individuals may think that they know it all, but they don’t. The whole process is just too broad based and diversified. Therefore, I am reaching out to industry experts to participate in contributing their knowledge in many parts of the book. I can therefore state the book will be the collective wisdom of many people in our industry.

Several chapters in the book are still looking for industry participation. In Part 2 – History in the Company Histories section, I would like to include the historical stories of many companies in the diecutting process. Your story could be of great interest to many readers and bring to life through stories how our industry developed. In the “Milestones - Time Lines” chapter, I have been milestone dates of events and companies that trace developments within our industry. This section is an ever expanding collection of historical information as individuals and company’s send in their information. Your company needs to be included in this chapter.

In Part 3 Diecutting and Part 4 Diecutting Tooling I would welcome information from vendor companies with detailed information on their products and services. I could write all of these sections, but who better can provide information and stories than the people directly affected in day to day promotions of all types of diecutting equipment and tooling. As I mentioned, the success of this book will be a collaborative effort of many people in our industry.

I have always believed that humor has its place in storytelling to get a point or two across to readers. Therefore I have written a chapter entitled “The First Meeting in Diecutting - 1842” that is a tong-in-cheek story of a group of early individuals that gathered together to discuss the future of diecutting. While the story is in good humor, the characters in the story bring together many interests in the early stages of the diecutting process.

I realize that I have embarked on a very challenging endeavor in writing the book. You could say it is a labor of love for our industry. I still have many bridges to cross in the journey to include all of the topics that I want to cover in the book. I welcome contributions from individuals in our industry. I need many pictures to bring alive the interesting development of the diecutting process.

I expect to take up to two years to complete the book and send it off to a printer. It is my goal to introduce the book at the 2009 IADD-FSEA Odyssey program in Atlanta, Georgia. In the meantime, please become a part of the book by contributing your stories, your information, your pictures and your thoughts on the diecutting process. I invite you or your company to be an important part of “The Case of the Cookie Cutter”.

Contact Bob Larson at larson@dieco.com.


Robert Larson
Larson WorldWide, Inc.
95 Mount Blue Street
Norwell, Massachusetts 02061 U.S.A.
Tel: +1 781 659-2115 or toll free +1 800-229-3346
Mobile: +1 781 864-0000
Fax: +1 781 659-2411
Email: larson@dieco.com
Websites: www.dieco.com & www.larsonworldwide.com