How Precision Blades Support High-Performance Manufacturing Automation Equipment

As manufacturers aim to improve operational efficiency and stay competitive, many are adopting automation. According to a Deloitte survey, 49% of manufacturing executives believe the main advantage of smart manufacturing is enhancing operations. Smart manufacturing helps companies save money by reducing waste and downtime and making human teams more productive. 

Manufacturing automation equipment uses cutting machines or robotics. These tools cut every piece the same way, which improves product consistency and reduces wasted materials.  The technology boosts output without compromising quality, but it requires the right components. Precision industrial blades are designed to provide accurate, repeatable cuts faster for consistent output. 

Why Automation Demands Micron-Level Precision in Cutting Tools

Automation machinery performs different manufacturing processes under the direction of software. You program specifications into the machine, which produces standardized, uniform final products. 

These machines have tight tolerances, meaning you can only use blades with slight variations in edge angles and blade geometry. This specificity enhances repeatability, meaning your final output will be the same even after you change a blade. Whatever type of blade you have, they will wear out and require periodic replacement, especially if you’re manufacturing at high volumes.

Hyde manufactures each custom blade to OEM specifications for consistency throughout your machine’s lifespan. 

The Blade Geometries That Improve Accuracy in Automated Cutting  

Many automated manufacturing machines work through continuous feeding motions, where materials are fed, processed, and removed without stopping in between steps. This manufacturing method requires precise blades to maintain throughput. 

Custom blades optimized for specific materials reduce the amount of force needed to make a cut. They also minimize machine vibration and keep materials flowing. Blade geometry and cutting efficiency are closely linked, so pay attention to these features:

• Bevels: These are the angles that meet at the knife’s cutting edge. Common bevels include single, double, or triple, but you can engineer your blade edge for intricate cuts. 
• Edge Finish: This refers to how a manufacturer treats the knife’s surface and its bevels. Edge finishes include honing, polishing, coating, and blasting based on your requirements. 

Custom Geometry for Automation

If you’re deciding between custom or standard blades on your machine, consider your production needs. When your equipment is cutting through the same material all the time, you can customize specific knife blades based on material for increased cutting speed and precision and reduced machine wear. 

For example, industrial textile manufacturing requires blades with sharp edges for a clean cut that won’t tear or fray. On the other hand, plastics manufacturing requires a durable blade coated to withstand abrasive materials. 

Optimizing your knife’s blade angle, thickness, shape, and edge design based on specific materials keeps each cut consistent and minimizes machine downtime. You can rely on a customized blade to perform for multiple manufacturing cycles without having to take your machine down to repair or replace it. 

Material and Coating Choices for High-Speed, High-Cycle Automation

Although automation improves your speed, high-volume production also increases friction. When your machine is constantly cutting at high speeds, it generates heat. Rapid cutting also increases the chances of small knife abrasions and blade materials sticking to the material. 

Improved blade technology helps your industrial knife blades withstand automated manufacturing techniques, and the right coating can further stretch their lifespan. 

Start with a durable material, such as carbide, ceramic, or high-carbide steel. Hyde offers custom blades made with high-grade steel for durability. 

Coatings increase your blade’s resistance to wear and improve how it operates at high speeds. Some coatings also make the blade’s surface smoother, which keeps materials from sticking to the surface. 

Hyde offers tailored coating solutions based on customer needs. We work with our clients to develop job-specific blades that withstand whatever you throw at them. 

Integrating Precision Blades Into Robotic and CNC-Based Systems

Successfully integrating custom blades into robotic and CNC-based systems requires planning and communication. You need to install your blades carefully to achieve consistent, repeatable results. Robust mounting options keep the blades secure during high-speed, high-volume operations. 

Automation equipment custom manufacturers will ask if your machine uses a clamp or bolt mounting system or if you have a specialized mechanism. Next, they will assess your machine’s level of concentricity, which refers to how well the cutting edge aligns with its rotational center. Manufacturing automation equipment typically features high slitter blade concentricity and general concentricity for accuracy and precision, but the specifications can vary. 

You need a blade with a thickness level that aligns with the machine. Thinner blades offer more precision, but they’re not as durable as thicker ones. 

If you manufacture products using a variety of materials, your team will have to change blades depending on what you’re making. Custom blades should support fast and accurate changeover alignment. You should be able to position each new blade precisely for consistent cuts. 

Hyde offers application-specific design support to create custom blades you can integrate with your automation hardware. You can upload specifications or call a team member to get a blade that fits into your machine. We are knowledgeable about industrial blade tolerances and create blades specific to OEM specifications. 

Why Automation Engineers Choose Hyde for Precision Cutting Tools

Manufacturing automation is great for increased productivity and product consistency, but the wrong blades can slow the process. If you’re not using a blade specific to your cutting needs that can withstand high-volume operations, your equipment may need more frequent replacements or repairs. Partnering with the right expert gives you a customized blade made for your operations that can withstand the workload. 

Hyde brings 150 years of custom industrial blade manufacturing in multiple industries, from food processing to industrial converting to aerospace. We can help you customize a blade for robotics and CNC-based systems that will reduce your machinery’s downtime and keep your team productive. 

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