Ward & Kennedy supplies businesses nationwide with traditionally die-cut and high-precision digitally cut HDPE. From playground equipment to cutting boards and everything in between, you can trust Ward & Kennedy’s nearly 100-year history for fast turnaround times and dedicated service and support.
HDPE (high-density polyethylene) is a rigid, durable plastic known for its strength, chemical resistance, and resistance to moisture and impact. It's widely used across signage, marine, playground, and industrial applications, particularly where a lightweight but sturdy material is needed to withstand outdoor exposure.
Common products made from HDPE include:
HDPE's rigidity, thickness, and heat sensitivity directly affect how it performs during cutting, from tool selection to edge quality.
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Rigidity | Too stiff for traditional blade-based die cutting, so it typically requires routing or sawing |
| Thickness | Thicker HDPE sheets need more powerful cutting tools and slower feed rates for clean edges |
| Density | Affects tool wear and the speed at which the material can be cut without overheating |
| Heat Sensitivity | Can melt or gum up cutting tools under excessive heat or friction, requiring proper speed and cooling |
| Impact resistance | Generally cuts cleanly, but can crack or chip if cut too aggressively or in cold conditions |
| Sheet form | Comes in rigid sheets rather than flexible rolls, which limits the cutting methods that can be used |
slices completely through the material, and both digital cutters and traditional dies can perform it depending on thickness and volume.
Creasing forms a fold line without cutting through the material, handled well by digital cutters through adjustable pressure and by dies fitted with the right rule type.
Digital cutting, specifically CNC routing, is the standard method for HDPE, since the material's rigidity doesn't respond well to traditional steel-rule die cutting used on flexible materials. CNC routers cut precise shapes, drill mounting holes, and produce clean edges directly from digital files, making this method suitable for both prototyping and full production runs of signage, fenders, and similar HDPE products.
Die cutting sees limited use with HDPE and is generally reserved for thinner gauge sheets in high-volume runs, where steel rule dies can still shear through the material without cracking it.
At our facility in Milwaukee, WI, our team of designers and fabricators can help bring your vision to life. Whether you have existing design files or assistance with their creation, we’re here every step of the way.
Along with fabrics, we die cut materials like:
Ward & Kennedy has been designing, fabricating, and supplying industries all over the world since we were founded in 1928. Whether you’re in our Wisconsin backyard or located across the world in Asia, we can supply your die cut materials.
Along with fabricating parts for businesses across America, we supply them with the necessary tools, supplies, and gear to keep them running at full capacity. We stock abrasives, adhesives, PPE, and more from major brands like 3M, Dynablade, Superior Glove, Wendt and Mirka.
