Apple Steel Rule Die » Blog Page

Read through the Apple Steel Die Rule blog below to catch up on the latest news about die cutting, rule dies, and our business in Milwaukee. We want to share our updates and other exciting info with you! Be sure to check back here for more updates.

Apple Bites: Acu-Gage

May 24th, 2022

Acu-Gage

Apple Die has added the Acu-Gage optical inspection device to our Quality Assurance Department.

In addition to our laser scanner, this tool will enable us to measure and inspect our product in ways difficult to manage with the scanner. You can trust that Apple Die is continuously upgrading our processes to ensure a quality product in a timely manner.

 Accu-gage

Apple Bites: Ejection Rubber

March 3rd, 2022

Q: What is Ejection Rubber?

A: Ejection rubber “ejects” cut parts from dies allowing the parts to be removed easily. Rubber ejection is added alongside the rule, which is designed to push the cut parts clear of the tool facilitating removal of the parts post cutting.

(more…)

Apple Bites: Brazing + Welding

February 11th, 2022
Apple offers both brazing and welding. Learn more about each below.

Q: What is Brazing?

A: Apple will braze the joints of dies in order to prevent material from getting caught in the joints. This is especially helpful when cutting fibrous materials. Unlike welding, brazing is done at the top of the rule at the joint locations.

(more…)

Apple Bites: Joints

March 24th, 2021

Q: What is a miter joint?

A: A miter joint is used when a bend is not possible and one knife intersects another. This type of joint can also be used when sharp corners are required rather than rounded corners.

(more…)

Apple Bites: Die Cutting, Die Scoring, Kiss Cutting

January 20th, 2021

Q: What is Die Cutting?

A: Die Cutting is the process by which a steel rule die (made out of sharpened steel) is used to cut irregular shapes out of various materials. Examples include gaskets, POP, cartons, electronics, leather, plastics and more.

(more…)

Apple Bites: Counter Plates

November 16th, 2020

Q: What are Phenolic Counterplates?

A: CNC individual Phenolic Counterplates are an economical solution that ensures that all carton positions fold exactly the same. Phenolic Counterplates can include flexible backings that make them easy to remove and reinstall with or without adhesive. The counter is generated using the same electronic file as the die to ensure that the die and counter are an exact fit.

(more…)

2020 Largest Women-Owned Business

October 6th, 2020

For the fourth year running, Apple Die has been named one of the largest Wisconsin-based women-owned businesses of the last fiscal year by the Milwaukee Business Journal. Based on revenue, Apple has been ranked #31 out of #66, up from #35 last year.

Barb Wambold, who began working at Apple as an Office Clerk in 2001, worked her way up to become CEO and President in 2013. Over the years, Wambold has purchased three separate companies merging them into Apple Central, and has added a variety of products to the company’s ever-growing line-up including flex dies, rotary dies, magnetic cylinders and more.

Today, Apple offers one of the fastest turnarounds of any die-making company in the U.S. with 98.7% of orders shipping same day or next. With more than two centuries of combined craftsman experience, Apple is an industry-leader in steel-rule dies, medical dies, flexible circuits, gaskets, laser cutting, packaging, rotary dies and more.

(more…)

Apple Bites: Gasket Dies

August 14th, 2020

Q: Why gasket dies from Apple?

A: Apple is the largest manufacturer of gasket dies in North America, as such, we have decades of experience in crafting gasket dies. We utilize a vast database of materials to ensure that our dies are made to maximize both your output and to live up to the highest quality standard.

There is no need for you to labor over specifications. Let our 35 years of experience be your guide. Just a few of the added features we provide:

  • We can produce gasket dies with welded and/or brazed joints.
  • Rule heights from .937 to 4” with a wide variety of die bases.
  • When steel rule dies will not or cannot achieve your needs, we manufacture machined dies.
  • We have a state of the art inspection process to ensure that all dies meet or exceed our highest standards.
  • With almost all of our dies shipping the same day or next day, you will receive your dies on time, every time.

Get a Quote/Place an Order!

Rule bracing

COVID-19 Update

August 14th, 2020

This is a difficult time for all of us as our world has changed, what seems like overnight.

We want to remind you Apple Die is here if you need us.

Apple is considered an essential business because we are making dies used to cut everything from masks and shields to hospital gowns and respirators, in addition to our normal business operations.

We want to take this time to give our first responders, nurses and doctors on the front line our deepest and sincerest gratitude. They are the real heroes.

Apple takes the health and safety of not only our team members but also our customers extremely seriously. We have increased cleaning and sanitation, and have implemented social distancing in the shop.

Contact us for any new project you have. We are still running full staff and 98.7% of all orders ship the same day or next.

We’ll get through this together!

 

35 Years in Business!

July 16th, 2020

July 2020 marks our 35th year in business and we want to thank YOU, our loyal customers, many of whom have turned into friends. We would not be where we are today without you.

Jim Ippolite, current COO, started Apple Die 35 years ago with a jigsaw and a hand bender. Since then, Jim has grown the company from a startup to one of the largest specialty steel rule die manufacturers in the U.S., with multiple locations and the industry’s most diversified steel rule dies (12 mm up to 6 pt high rule dies). In 2013, Barb Wambold, who started as an office clerk in 2001 and worked her way up, bought Apple Die and expanded the company even further. She opened a new location in South Africa, bought three different companies merging them into Apple Central, and added flex dies, rotary dies, magnetic cylinders and more to the company’s ever-growing product line-up. Under Barb, Apple Die has also been named a top 50 largest woman-owned business based on revenue in WI by the Milwaukee Business Journal for the last three consecutive years.

Today, Apple Die maintains one of the fastest turnaround of any die company in the U.S. with 98.7% of orders shipped the same day or next and holds some of the most competitive pricing in the industry. With more than two centuries of combined craftsman experience in the manufacturing of close tolerance dies, Apple excels at medical dies, flexible circuits, displays, folders, gaskets, heat sealing, labels, decals, nameplates, overlays, membrane switches, packaging, vacuum forming and more. Cheers to another 35 years!

Steel Rule Die

Over three centuries of excellent die-making craftsmanship.

Learn More!
Steel Rule Die

Laser Cutting

Apple Die specializes in wood, metal, and plastic laser cutting.

Learn More!
Laser Cutting

Flexible Die

Less expensive option to Rotary dies with extremely tight tolerances.

Learn More!
Flexible Die

Rotary Die

The proper tooling for long run cutting precision.

Learn More!
Rotary Die

Send Us a Message!

Woman Owned Business

Contact Information

Apple Die Corporate Headquarters

800-227-3437

414-435-9627

7817 W. Clinton Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53223

central@appledie.com

Contact for: Steel Rule Dies

Apple Die East

88 Industry Ave. Ste. C
Springfield, MA 01104

East@appledie.com

Apple Die South

south@appledie.com

Contact for: Flex Dies, Magnetic Cylinders, Rotary Dies