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How can we serve you today?    Cath-Tip continues to partner with our customers to aid in their success  ––  developing processes, improving practices and imparting knowledge  ––  all to help improve your bottom line.  In this issue, read how to improve your output by properly cleaning our superior dies.    Contact us today about your project.

Die Cleaning Tutorial

Benefits of a clean die:

     •  a smooth, clean tip

     •  a good cut

     •  consistent results

catheter tipping instructions best dies cleaning

Step 1:   Identify what material the die is made from. Most dies are made from carbide, stainless steel or nickel. To avoid damaging the die, it’s important that whatever object is used to scrape the inside of the die has a lower hardness level than the material the die is made from. Wood and plastic are safe to use.


Step 2:   Apply toothpaste to the tip of the toothpick or tipped part. If the vent hole is smaller than .020″ do not use toothpaste as it will clog the vent hole.

catheter die cleaning tutorial

Step 3:   Scrape the inside of the die with the chosen scraping object and toothpaste for about 2 minutes.

catheter die cleaning tutorial

Step 4:   Rinse. Fill the syringe with hot water and rinse the inside of the die with it a couple times. Scrape die for a minute with the clean toothpick or tipped part to help loosen up the toothpaste. Continue to rinse the inside of the die with the syringe until the entire die is toothpaste free.

catheter die cleaning tutorial

Step 5:   Dry the inside of the die by blowing compressed air through it.


Step 6:   Inspect the inside of the die with a microscope to see if it is free of residue material and toothpaste. If not, scrape and rinse until clean.

catheter die cleaning tutorial

Step 7:   Install the die back on the mounting block and run a couple parts.*  Make sure to use a good amount of lubricant on the first parts to re-coat the die and prevent material from sticking again.


*  The first couple of parts (6) may look dirty if the die was not rinsed well, but should soon clear up.


TIP:  If dirty dies are a common problem, we recommend applying mold release to the tip of each part before forming and/or turning down the temperature. Temperature should be dropped by small increments in order to continue forming a complete tip.

Call us at 1-435-628-1775  or  write us at solutions@cathtip.com for help with your catheter project.

catheter die cleaning supplies

Cleaning materials needed:

1.   Whitening Toothpaste (paste)

2.   Tipped part

3.   Toothpick

4.   Syringe

5.   Air compressor with air nozzle

Magnification of a dirty die. how to clean best performance catheter tipping diesThe residue material shapes the catheter, giving it a rough, sometimes dirty appearance. It also causes more friction, therefore the catheter does not always make it to the end of the die to be fully formed and cut for a flashless tip.

We recommend an operator clean the die when the signs mentioned above occur. Also, make sure to use mold release and allow enough cooling time, which prevents sticking – the main cause of residue being left behind.


