In Conversation With Rob Weidhaas: Printing United Expo 2025 & Future of DCA

Get to know the story, passion, and insights behind Die Cutting Advisors as we gear up for this year’s Printing United Expo. 

1. Rob, what are you most excited about at Printing United Expo this year? 

Every year, Printing United brings together some of the most innovative minds and technologies in the industry, and that energy is hard to beat. But what really excites me this year is the opportunity to have real, one-on-one conversations with companies that are either trying to solve specific production challenges or are looking to scale with the right die cutting solution. We're not just showing up to exhibit—we're coming to listen, to collaborate, and to solve problems. 

2. For those who don’t know Die Cutting Advisors yet, how would you describe what you do—and what makes DCA different from others in the industry? 

Die Cutting Advisors is a boutique consulting firm focused 100% on die cutting and finishing. What makes us different is our approach—we don’t push a product, we provide a path. We work closely with each client to understand their material, volume, tolerances, and business goals, and then match them with the best solution—whether that’s a Crest clamshell, a Bobst, a Preco laser, or something entirely different. 

My journey started working alongside my father, building U.S.-made clamshell presses. That foundation gave me not only technical knowledge but also a belief that if you focus on solving problems and taking care of customers, everything else follows. 

3. What can attendees expect to learn or experience when they visit the DCA booth? 

You can expect real, practical advice—no sales pitch. Whether you're looking to reduce setup time, improve quality, or figure out what kind of press fits your next phase of growth, we’ll be there to talk through it with you. 

We want visitors to leave our booth feeling educated, empowered, and excited about what’s possible. 

4. The die cutting industry is changing fast—what’s one trend or challenge you think people need to be paying attention to right now? 

Two challenges jump out: the knowledge gap and the need for automation. 

The biggest challenge—and opportunity—is the knowledge gap. There’s a mass retirement happening across our industry, and a lot of institutional knowledge is walking out the door. Meanwhile, we’re seeing a wave of new entrepreneurs and marketers who’ve entered the print space but have little experience with die cutting. This creates a huge need for education, mentorship, and guidance. That’s where we come in. 

On the automation side, the pressure is increasing to streamline every part of production—including die cutting. As labor costs rise and turnaround times tighten, companies are rethinking how to automate everything from feeding systems to quality control. At Printing United, we’ll be showcasing advancements in robotic and automated feed systems specifically designed for clamshell presses—a historically manual process. We see automation not as a replacement for skilled labor, but as an essential tool to bridge the widening talent gap and keep production efficient and scalable. 

5. DCA works across a wide range of industries—from packaging and graphics to membrane switches. How do you tailor solutions for such different applications? 

It all starts with listening. Every application has unique needs—materials, tolerances, run sizes, automation levels. For example, a short-run retail-ready display might benefit from fast-setup Crest clamshell technology, while a high-volume membrane switch application might require laser or flatbed automation. Our talent is being able to quickly identify the right process and equipment to match the need. 

7. What do you wish more people understood about die cutting technology—and how it impacts their business? 

Die cutting isn’t just a finishing step—it’s a profitability lever. The right setup can cut your labor in half, reduce waste, speed up turnaround, and improve product quality. Yet too many companies treat it like an afterthought. My goal is to change that—to help people see die cutting as a strategic part of their process, not just the last checkbox on the production line. 

8. Finally, what’s next for DCA? Any big goals or new developments you can give us a sneak peek at? 

We’re building for the future—and that means automation and expansion. 

First, we’re investing heavily in robotic automation, particularly for legacy die cutting systems like clamshells that have traditionally been manual. Our goal is to modernize these platforms with automated feed solutions that increase throughput, consistency, and safety. 

Second, we’re laying the groundwork to launch our own automation and press company—a natural evolution of our consulting work. We've seen firsthand what the market needs, and now we're designing solutions from the ground up to meet those challenges head-on. 

Lastly, we’re focused on building strategic partnerships—not just with customers, but with equipment manufacturers who are looking for expert representation in the U.S. market. We want to be the bridge that connects the right solutions to the right companies, creating value on all sides. 

It’s an exciting time to be in this space, and we’re just getting started.