If you compare it to GT, it's really a bit lackluster. GT has a 2:1 ratio and a hammer, which is really lossy for your first few machines. The Steam Forge Hammer takes the hammer away, leaving you with a 2:1 ratio. Then, the Plate Bending Machine brings you to the 1:1 ratio, you have a curve of rewards, while IC2's plates don't really scale anywhere to a point that makes it feel less tedious and feel like you achieved something (rather, the forge hammer is seen as an annoyance before you get the metal former, then a challenge for you to get the metal former).
For Unidye, I also have my own material, just to make my recipes a bit more unique and to make them recognisable as added by my mod.