Choosing the right blade for your rotary cutter is of maximum importance. Straight cutting blades provide a chopping action. When a straight blade is mounted on a rotary arm, a certain amount of slicing movement occurs. However, such slicing action does not typically last throughout the cutting process. When slicing is desired, modification of the mounting angle and bushings may be required. Knives with curved edges can be used when increased and continued slicing action is desired. These knife blades are particularly useful for cutting such things as flexible foams, rubber forms, and a full range of materials amenable to slicing action. Lubrication of blades is often useful for improving cut quality. When rigid materials are involved and the application of additional heat is possible, curved-edge knives can often provide better cut quality. By contrast, however, curved-edge knives may produce cuts that are less than optimal when they are used on materials that are both cold and rigid. For applications involving thin wall tubing, piercing blades are optimal. This type of blade provides for the minimization of penetration marks. Typically, such marks are caused by blades that initiate a flattening action before penetrating the extrudate. Piercing blades are generally more expensive and have an increased vulnerability to breakage. Certain rigid materials need warming before coming into contact with a piercing blade. This is due to the fact that the point can cause the material to crack or become discolored. The type of blade you need will depend on a variety of factors, including the extrudate and the rotary cutter you're using. Let us at Specialty Blades help you choose well. Call us at 1-800-252-3371 or fax us at 1-800-742-7741. Both calls are toll-free. You may also request information by e-mailing us at sales@specialtyblades.com.
|
