Press release submitted on behalf of the International Association of Diecutting and Diemaking
The International Association of Diecutting and Diemaking (IADD), Crystal Lake, Illinois, has announced that noted corrugated experts, Rick Putch of National Steel Rule Co. and Steve Rote of Metsä Board Americas, will be offering intensive and interactive education at Odyssey Expo 2025, slated for May 7-9 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
The diecutting process for corrugated converters is often challenging and unpredictable due to any slight change in the combined board, tooling or machine condition influencing throughput, waste and profit. “One size does NOT fit all” when it comes to diecutting. Attending Odyssey Expo 2025 and this two-day corrugated program will allow attendees to recognize the pitfalls and set the path for more predictable results in their finishing operations.
Advanced Corrugated Program
With 14-hours of highly-interactive instruction over two days, this program is ideal for machine operators, production superintendents, diemakers, structural designers, plant/sales/general managers and business owners who want to walk away with troubleshooting techniques for their specific challenges.
According to instructor Steve Rote, “The corrugated industry has invested heavily in finishing equipment but not in the education of tooling and structural design. I want attendees to recognize how pre-flighting structural designs can have huge effects on performance.” Instructor Rick Putch adds, “We don’t need to lose a customer due to poor finishing practices. Automation in the diemaking process along with everchanging technology in combined board such as lightweighting, have increased the challenges for the converter. Identifying the root cause of poor machine metrics often results in finger pointing. Pairing this advanced program with the knowledge base on the show’s exhibit floor will help you eliminate the blame game.”
Technical Expertise
Rick Putch has over 45 years of experience in diemaking and in the packaging industry, spanning all aspects of paper conversion: diemaking, diecutting, packaging design and materials testing.
Having done best practices training on efficient package design and finishing in 40 countries, Rick is regarded as a world-class expert on evaluating manufacturing processes for new product concepts, as well as resolving production issues on manufactured products produced with steel rule cutting dies. A 51-year veteran of the printing, packaging and paper industry, Steve Rote has held a variety of positions in production, sales, marketing and technical support. Steve’s main focus is on educating those using products in corrugated box and folding carton plants, to identify running parameters to achieve success.
More information on Odyssey Expo 2025 is available at www.OdysseyExpo.org.
The IADD is an international trade association serving diecutters, diemakers and industry suppliers worldwide. IADD provides conferences, educational and training programs, a monthly magazine, online resource library of 700+ technical articles, industry experts to answer technical questions, publications and training manuals, recommended specifications, videos and more.
IADD also presents Odyssey Expo, a biennial trade show and innovative concept in technical training featuring a hands-on Techshop where training programs come alive in an actual working diemaking and diecutting facility. Visit www.iadd.org or call 1-815-455-7519 for more information.