Corner rounder for rigid materials: Discover Corner Rounder

A corner rounder is a tool used to finish off graphic printing jobs which, as its name suggests, allows you to make a curved cut or round off the corners of a material.

It is common to see this type of finish on promotional materials such as posters, leaflets, photographs and business cards, and on items such as coasters, magnets, notebooks and various plastic items.

Products with rounded corners are generally square or rectangular in shape, with corners originally forming 90° angles, which have been smoothed off for aesthetic reasons, safety reasons, or both. This type of geometric shape is defined as a superellipse or a Lamé curve, and it is worth noting that in many cases the curved edges considerably improve the finish.

As an aside, many high-tech designs are based on this type of geometric shape; for example, the design of Apple computers and phones features these characteristics, causing light to reflect aesthetically off the surface of the devices, creating a beautifying effect and enhancing the perception of beauty. In the graphics industry, it is commonly used for personalised products and to improve their durability and safety. Rounded corners reduce the risk of bent or torn edges, whilst in stiffer materials they help to minimise the risk posed by sharp points.

As this is a very common finish in graphic design, both online and offline, it is essential to have the right tool to be able to create four symmetrical curves.

How does a corner rounder work?

The operation is very simple and easy to carry out. Most rounding machines are operated manually using a lever, making a cut with a blade that creates the rounded shape. They are available as a single unit whose sole function is to make this cut, but there are also hybrid models that allow a single machine to be transformed into a multi-tool.

manual rounding tool

One factor that must always be taken into account is the cutting capacity of a corner rounder, which depends on the material being used. The quality of the cut – and therefore the finish – will depend primarily on this factor.

Features of the Corner Rounder

It is capable of making circular corner cuts with three different radii. The available radii are: 6 mm, 10 mm and 14 mm. It is easy to use. With an HPS025 manual eyelet setter, you can use two types of tools: nozzles for setting eyelets or the CORNER ROUNDER kit for rounding corners. To change the radius of curvature, simply replace the blade in the kit.

Another feature that sets this machine apart is that the material to be cut can be adjusted for greater precision, ensuring that the finish on different parts maintains the same standard of quality.

Materials that the Corner Rounder can cut

Polypropylene: This is a synthetic fibre widely used in the manufacture of stationery and reusable packaging. For example, plastic-flap folders with elastic bands are made from sheets of polypropylene. Corrugated polypropylene is a material widely used in digital printing.

Polycarbonate: Similar to polypropylene, it is a thermoplastic widely used because it is easy to work with and mould. Thanks to its versatility, it has various industrial applications, such as in mouse mats, folders and even architectural elements, and serves as a good substitute for glass in many applications.

Polietileno: Es una fibra sintética considerada el polímero más simple. Es utilizado para fabricar envases, recubrimientos o tuberías.

Corrugated cardboard: Widely known, it is a material made from paper pulp, and its thickness depends on the structure and amount of material that has been compressed.

Paper or thin card: Widely used for business cards, for example. These cards can be made of standard card or laminated card. Business cards with rounded corners tend to retain their shape for longer than those with sharp corners.

Dibond®: This is a composite panel with aluminium outer layers and a polyethylene (PE) core. It is rigid, durable and an ideal substrate for digital printing. It is widely used in visual communication, signage and wayfinding. It offers a high-quality finish and is used in both interior design and brand promotion.

Foamboard: This is a rigid, lightweight material that is easy to cut. It consists of a central layer of foam and two outer layers of paper. This, combined with its low cost, makes it a widely used material in decorative printing.

Take a look at the industrial machines we manufacture at PLASTGrommet and streamline the finishing department in your digital printing workshop.

Are you interested in getting a corner rounder? Let’s have a chat.