Die-cutting tool manufacturer Marbach is celebrating a special anniversary this year: the first die-cutting tool was produced in 1926. Since then, the technology has fundamentally changed – from bespoke craftsmanship to highly precise, industrial manufacturing processes. Marbach has actively shaped this development from the very beginning.
The story of Marbach began in Heilbronn, then a stronghold of the leather industry. Originally, the focus was on the production of tools for leather processing. However, due to the Great Depression and the associated decline in orders, the company had to reorient itself. By chance, Karl Marbach Senior began producing band steel cutting tools for the advertising material factory Willi Nupnau. These first steps in die-cutting technology laid the foundation for later success in the paper processing industry.
After the Second World War, Marbach rebuilt production under difficult conditions. The increasing demand for precise packaging tools meant that the dies, which had been manufactured manually up to that point, were no longer able to meet the requirements. The introduction of new packaging and erecting machines in the 1960s increased the pressure on the accuracy of the blanks.
The Revolution Through Laser Technology
A decisive turning point in Marbach's history was the introduction of laser technology in the early 1970s. In 1972, the company installed the first NC-controlled CO₂ laser cutting system for die-cutting tool manufacturing in Europe. This technology made it possible to produce contours with previously unattainable precision and speed.
„What was special about this technology was the ability to manufacture contours with hitherto unachieved precision and speed. This was an entirely new approach in die-cutting tool manufacturing.“
Peter Marbach, Managing Director of Marbach
Laser technology set new standards in the quality of die-making and, in the following years, became the industry standard. Marbach used the new technological possibilities and pushed forward its own developments. Products such as the cutting line technology mpower and the stripping technology marbastrip are examples of how Marbach continues to shape the market to this day.
Innovation as a company philosophy
Marbach has set itself the task of selectively developing technologies and setting sustainable standards. The digital zone levelling with DZL|plate and DZL|foil, for example, significantly reduces set-up times, as the zone levelling only needs to be carried out once and then remains in place for an extended period and for several tools. With Connect|M, Marbach goes one step further and networks machine, tool and user for transparent and data-based production.
Peter Marbach stresses: „Innovation has always been a central part of our company's development. Our aim is to specifically develop technologies further and in doing so set sustainable standards. When you buy from Marbach, you're not just buying tools, but also a piece of the future.“
Source: Marbach
