Factors Affecting Slitting Blade in Production and How to Select Blade

Slitting blade is specialized blades used in industries such as printing and packaging. Their cutting accuracy, sharpness, and lifespan have a significant impact on production efficiency. Properly selecting slitting blade can increase production output and shorten blade changeover times.

What Factors Affect the Performance of Slitting Blade and How to Improve Blade Efficiency and Lifespan?

• The material used in manufacturing is a key factor in the durability of slitting blade. For ordinary paper, plastic, and film cutting, SKD-11 alloy blades with a high chromium content should be selected, while high speed slitting machines need to have good wear resistance. Generally, the durability of blades is directly proportional to the heat treatment hardness. High quality slitting blade can reach a hardness of HR55~60 after quenching treatment, while blades made of high-speed steel need to undergo vacuum heat treatment to achieve the ideal hardness and toughness.

• The sharpening precision and blade angle of the slitting blade also affect its lifespan. Slitting blades generally adopt a single-edge design with a sharpening angle of about 30°. Usually, the beveled surface of the blade bears a large friction force during the cutting process. Under the friction of the paper edge, the beveled surface of the blade wears out quickly. Considering the cutting resistance of the material being cut, the sharpening angle can be as small as possible. When selecting slitting blades, the material to be cut should be taken into account. During the cutting process, the speed at which the blade edge of the slitting machine becomes dull is related to the wear resistance of the material being cut. When cutting materials that are harder and tougher, the slitting blade with higher quality and hardness should be selected.

What Material Should be Used for Slitting Blades When Processing High Toughness Production?

When cutting high tough products (rubber, textiles, leather, etc.), which have strong elasticity and resilience, the slitting blades need to withstand strong reaction forces during cutting, while ensuring sharpness and durability. Therefore, key factors such as hardness, wear resistance, and impact resistance must be considered when selecting blade materials. Here, Sun Hong recommends two materials for slitting blades: high-speed steel and cemented carbide.

• High-speed steel slitting blades: High-speed steel is commonly used as the material for traditional blades, possessing high hardness and wear resistance. Suitable for machining high toughness products, these blades maintain good cutting performance and ensure their service life during production.

• Carbide slitting blades: These slitting blades are made from tungsten, cobalt, and other metal powders using powder metallurgy. They possess extremely high hardness and wear resistance, reducing friction and heat during the cutting process when machining tough products, maintaining a sharp cutting edge, and improving cutting efficiency and product quality. Furthermore, carbide slitting blades retain excellent impact resistance and toughness, making them suitable for handling complex and irregular cutting environments.