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Cutting vs. Converting – What’s the Difference?

Don’t Get Tangled Up in Terminology

Waterjet Cutting

The CGR team gets a lot of requests for cutting, converting, and fabricating. Fortunately for our customers, we do it all. As far as we’re concerned, these terms refer to the same process — the process of transforming a raw material into a precision component for your part.

If you participated in Manufacturing Day this month, you may have gotten a chance to dig into some of the processes and services from manufacturers across the country. We’re happy to break down some of our cutting capabilities right here, right now.

We specialize in flexible, non-metallic materials at CGR Products — that means custom parts, shapes, sizes and forms for markets of all kinds, cut from an immense range of elastomer, rubber and related thermoplastic materials. Each and every material — and family of materials — comes with specific capabilities to accommodate all types of industries.

Cutting, Converting or Fabricating?

As we said above, we do it all. Some of the specific methods we use to cut and convert materials at CGR include:

Die Cutting: Both rotary die cutting and flatbed die cutting are optimal for high volumes and precise tolerances.

Kiss Cutting: This special type of cutting (or converting) transforms sheets of material into sheets of parts that can be removed individually from a backing or liner.

Kiss Cutting For Peel & Stick Applications

Knife Cutting: This is one of the fastest methods for producing a part. It’s great for prototypes.

Slitting and Splitting: A shearing process, slitting or splitting takes a large roll and trims it into narrower or thinner rolls or sheets.

Custom Slitting, Shearing, & Splitting

Waterjet Cutting: The accuracy and precision of a water jet cutter is ideal for soft materials.

The Versatility Of Waterjet Cutting

Don’t forget that we also offer custom manufacturing and fabrication for projects that demand molding, extrusion. laminating and beaded gaskets.

Check out all of our available services, or call the team to discuss your particular project today. We look forward to cutting, or converting, or fabricating with you!

Chuck Keeley

Chuck Keeley was appointed the President of CGR Products in 1995. He has also served on the Gasket Fabricator Association board since 2011, of which CGR has been a member for over 20 years. Chuck graduated from North Carolina State University and resides in Greensboro, North Carolina.