Vacuum Heat Treatment vs Salt Bath – Which is Better for Rotary Slitter Knives?

Vacuum Heat Treatment vs Salt Bath – Which is Better for Rotary Slitter Knives?

Aug 6, 2025

Maxwell Slitter Industries is the world’s #1 manufacturer of rotary slitter knives, powered by our patented vacuum hardening process that delivers unmatched hardness, edge life, and cutting precision.
When selecting rotary slitter knives for your slitting line, one critical factor that determines their performance is the heat treatment process. The right treatment not only improves hardness but also extends edge life, reduces maintenance, and enhances cutting precision.
Two popular methods—Vacuum Heat Treatment (VHT) and Salt Bath Heat Treatment (SBHT)—are widely used in the industry. But which one truly delivers better performance for rotary slitter knives? Let’s find out.

Why Heat Treatment Matters for Slitter Knives

Rotary slitter knives undergo intense cutting forces and high friction during coil slitting operations. Without proper hardening, they lose sharpness quickly, resulting in:
● Poor cut quality
● Frequent regrinding and replacements
● Increased downtime and operational costs

Choosing the right heat treatment ensures:
● Uniform hardness
● Superior edge retention
● Longer service life
● Dimensional stability

Vacuum Heat Treatment (VHT) – The Premium Choice

Vacuum Heat Treatment is a modern process carried out in a controlled vacuum furnace. By eliminating oxygen it prevents surface oxidation and produces a clean, bright finish.
Advantages of VHT
● Oxidation-free surface – no scaling or decarburization
● Minimal distortion – perfect for tight tolerances
● Superior wear resistance – refined microstructure for long-lasting performance
● Environmentally friendly – no harmful residues

For high-precision applications like rotary slitter knives, VHT ensures maximum durability and consistent cutting results.

Salt Bath Heat Treatment (SBHT) – The Traditional Approach

Salt Bath Heat Treatment involves immersing knives in molten salt for heating and quenching. It remains widely used due to its cost-effectiveness and fast processing.

Advantages of SBHT
● Rapid, uniform heating reduces cracking risks
● Good hardness for general applications
● Lower cost compared to vacuum treatment

Limitations
● Leaves salt residues requiring cleaning
● Higher risk of distortion during quenching
● Shorter edge life under demanding conditions

Direct Comparison: Vacuum vs Salt Bath

Feature Vacuum Heat Treatment Salt Bath Heat Treatment
Surface Quality Clean, bright, oxidation-free May have oxide and salt residue
Dimensional Stability Excellent – minimal distortion Moderate – needs post-processing
Edge Retention Superior – stays sharp longer Wears faster under stress
Tool Life Longer – ideal for high-speed lines Shorter in demanding operations
Environmental Impact Eco-friendly Salt disposal concerns
Cost Higher Lower

Which Heat Treatment Should You Choose?

For rotary slitter knives where precision, consistency, and longer life are essential, Vacuum Heat Treatment is the clear winner. It ensures better performance, less downtime, and higher productivity compared to salt bath-treated knives.
Salt Bath may still be used for cost-sensitive applications, but it lacks the superior edge retention and stability offered by VHT.

Why Maxwell Leads the Industry

At Maxwell Slitter Industries, we don’t just use vacuum heat treatment—we have perfected it with a patented hardening recipe that makes our blades outperform all others.

What Sets Maxwell Apart
● Patented Vacuum Hardening Technology – unmatched hardness & wear resistance
● Custom Engineering – made to exact OEM specifications
● Trusted Worldwide – by leading slitting line manufacturers
● In-House Expertise – end-to-end control ensures consistent quality

Explore our full range of Rotary Slitter Knives

Slitting vs Shearing vs Milling: Which Metal Cutting Tool Is Right for You?

Slitting vs Shearing vs Milling: Which Metal Cutting Tool Is Right for You?

Jul 14, 2025

Getting a clean, precise cut in metal isn’t just about turning on a machine. It takes careful planning and the right technique. From experience, fabricators also know there are cutting methods that do not yield the same results. The cutting method you choose, between slitting, shearing, or milling, can significantly affect the surface finish, influenced by processing speed, cost, and material wastage. We will also look into the functioning of the shearing machine blade.

Each industrial machine has a purpose. Being aware of which machine blades to use can save a lot of time, material, and headaches. Let’s explore what a tool does, when to use it, and how to choose the proper tool for the application.

What Is Slitting?

Slitting involves making long, straight cuts, typically in the form of a coil or sheet. It’s a continuous process where metal is fed through rotary blades that cut it into thinner strips.

Best For:

  • Slitting coils of steel, aluminum, or copper into narrower widths
  • High-speed cutting
  • Precision strip cutting

Pros:

  • Efficient and quick
  • Clean trim when set up correctly
  • Low material waste
  • Works well for high volume

Things To Remember:

  • Restricted to straight cuts
  • Setup time is important, particularly for close tolerances.
  • Blade care is essential for quality consistency.

If you are cutting coiled stock and requiring consistent strip lengths, slitting blades are difficult to beat.

Check: Slitter Blades and Knives for Coil cutting

What Is Shearing?

Shearing cuts metal with a straight blade. It’s a massive pair of scissors, easy and powerful. Typically, a shearing machine blade descends vertically while the bottom blade remains fixed.

Best For:

  • Cutting flat sheet metal to length or width
  • Clean, straight cuts
  • Simple shapes

Advantages:

  • Fast cuts without chips
  • Low-cost operation
  • Perfect for square and rectangular shapes

Things To Keep in Mind:

  • Not ideal for complex shapes or holes inside
  • Can deform the edges of thicker materials
  • Blade wear impacts cut quality; keep an eye on your shearing machine blade condition.

For operations that require shearing sheet metal to size on a regular basis, shearing provides a consistent and efficient option.

Check Metal Shear blades and Knives for Precision Cutting

What Is Milling?

Milling is a cutting process known as subtractive. The use of a rotating cutter removes material from the surface of the workpiece. Milling is not just the slitting and shearing of a material completely through. It is typically done with complex shapes and sizes.

Best For:

  • Creating detailed parts
  • Machining contours, holes, and slots
  • Thicker pieces or materials with depth complexity

Advantages:

  • High accuracy
  • Versatile, can cut curves, angles, and complex shapes
  • Operates on flat or irregular surfaces

Things To Keep in Mind:

  • Slower compared to slitting or shearing
  • Creates chips, needs cleanup, and disposal
  • More operational cost (power and tooling)

If you’re shaping components or dealing with more technical elements, milling does the trick.

Slitting vs Shearing vs Milling: What are the differences?

Cutting metal isn’t simply a matter of cutting through material; it’s about selecting the correct tool for the task. Here’s how slitting, shearing, and milling compare when you line them up together:

1. Cutting Motion & Process

  • Slitting: Employed rotary blades to cut long, uninterrupted cuts in sheet or coil material. It’s a rolling operation; metal in, strips out.
  • Shearing: A stationary shearing machine blade and a moving top blade create straight cuts, similar to a heavy-duty scissors.
  • Milling: A cutting tool, such as a turning tool, removes material from a fixed workpiece. It can travel in various directions for shapes, contours, and slots.

Briefly:

  • Slitting = Rapid, straight cuts in coils
  • Shearing = Straight cuts in sheet metal
  • Milling = Shaped, complex cuts in solid material

2. Compatibility of Material & Thickness

  • Slitting processes thin to medium-thickness coiled materials (steel, aluminum, copper).
  • Shearing is ideal for flat sheets of moderate thickness.
  • Milling is used on solid blocks and thicker sections that require shaping.

3. Flexibility of Shape

  • Slitting and shearing: Straight-line cuts only.
  • Milling: Flexible geometry, slots, holes, angles, even curves.

4. Speed & Efficiency

  • Slitting: Continuous, high-speed process. Ideal for big volumes.
  • Shearing: Fast operation with quick setup.
  • Milling: Less fast but more flexible and accurate.

5. Finish & Edge Quality

  • Slitting: Ensure clean edges by using sharp blades. Burrs if not cleaned.
  • Shearing: Straight edges, but deforms thicker material.
  • Milling: High accuracy finish. It can also cut internal features.

6. Waste & Cleanliness

  • Slitting and shearing: Little material waste, no chips.
  • Milling makes chips and requires more cleaning.

In simple words, 

  • If you have to cut strips from coils, go for slitting. 
  • To quickly and neatly shear a sheet of metal, ensure your shearing machine has a sharp blade.
  • Working with intricate parts or custom geometry? Milling provides the flexibility and precision you require.

Every process is unique for a specific job, and using the correct one saves the day.

Comparing Shearing vs Slitting VS Milling

Feature Slitting Shearing Milling
Cut Type Long, continuous, straight Straight edges Complex, shaped cuts
Speed Very fast Fast Slower
Material Waste Minimal Low Moderate to high
Finish Quality Good (with sharp blades) Good for straight cuts Excellent
Cost Per Cut Low Low High
Setup Time Moderate Low High
Flexibility Low Medium High
Tools Used Rotary blades Shearing machine blade Milling cutters

Which One Should You Use?

It depends on what you’re cutting, how much of it, and what kind of finish you need.

Use Slitting When:

  • You’re working with metal coils.
  • You need long, continuous cuts.
  • You’re handling a large volume.

Use Shearing When:

  • You’re cutting flat sheet stock into rectangles or squares.
  • You want quick, clean cuts without chips.
  • You’re dealing with thin to moderately thick material.

Use Milling When:

  • You’re cutting internal holes, slots, or shapes.
  • You require a high-precision finish.
  • The material is too heavy for shearing or slitting.

Maintenance Tips for each Cutting Tools

Regardless of the technique you employ, the quality of the tool and its maintenance make a significant difference. 

  • Slitting: Maintain sharp and aligned rotary blades. Dull blades cause burrs and poor edge quality.
  • Shearing: Replace or resharpen your shearing machine blade regularly to maintain optimal performance. A dull blade not only ruins your finish but it can also put undue stress on your machine.
  • Milling: Monitor tool wear and adjust feed rates accordingly. Slow feeds create chatter; fast feeds excessively polish the cutter.

Several times during the day, check the tools; proper storage of tools also significantly contributes to smooth shop operations.

Read more: Industrial Knives Maintenance Guide: How to Prolong Blade Life

Final Thoughts

There’s no do-it-all equipment in metal cutting. What’s best for you depends on your work. If you’re slicing coils into thin strips, slitting  the ticket. If you’re cutting sheets to size with smooth, straight edges, a shearing machine is the ticket. And if you require more complex shapes and precise details, milling is your ticket.

As a leading Industrial knife manufacturer, we’ve years of experience with cutting tools of different size, shape and use. We have examined how each stage of production is approached, and how the most suitable blade and a high-quality machine blade can be crucial in maintaining production continuity and feeding the next stage.

Do you need assistance with tools or blades?  Maxwell Slitters are here to help you cut better, faster, and cleaner.

Types of Metal Cutting Tools: A Complete Guide for Manufacturers

Types of Metal Cutting Tools: A Complete Guide for Manufacturers

Jul 9, 2025

One wrong tool can ruin an entire batch. In the manufacturing process, there’s no room for trial and error, especially in the metal cutting business.
It is a matter of precision, consistency, and selecting the right tools. From forming light-gauge aluminum sheets to cutting hardened steel, the importance of choosing the correct cutting tools increases.
Some jobs will prioritize time, whereas in others, precision is paramount. Some metal cutting tools are heavy on cutting, while others are light and cleaner.
Regardless of whether you have a machine shop, manage the production floor, or just want to learn about the types of metal cutting tools, it is worth looking at all the typical tools used to cut metal, specifically slitting saw cutters. We should also examine their role in the organization’s manufacturing process.

What Are Metal Cutting Tools?

Metal cutting tools are tools used to cut material from metal workpieces. They can shear, cut, shape, grind, or mill metal to produce the intended size or surface finish.
These tools belong to two broad categories:

  • Single-point cutting tools:Principally employed for turning, boring, and planning
  • Multi-point cutting tools:Employed in milling, drilling, and sawing.

Types of Metal Cutting Tools

1. Slitting Saw Cutter

A slitting saw is a circular saw blade with sharp teeth, usually employed in milling machines. It’s best suited for:

  • Narrow slotting
  • Cutting thin sections
  • Working on materials such as aluminum, brass, or hardened steel

Why manufacturers prefer it:

  • Clean, controlled cuts
  • Suitable for tight tolerances
  • Capable of cutting sensitive or hard materials

In different thicknesses and diameters When properly maintained, a quality slitting saw cutter can last a long time and is used widely in automotive, aerospace, and electronics manufacturing.

2. Lathe Tools

These single-point cutting tools are utilized in lathes. They remove metal by rotating the workpiece against a stationary cutting tool..
Common lathe tool types:

  • Turning tool:Turns the outer diameter of the metal.
  • Facing tool:Finishes the ends of metal parts.
  • Boring tool: Expands or completes holes.
  • Parting tool:Cuts off finished parts.

3. Drill Bits

These are used in drill machines to create round holes in metal. Drill bits are all shaped differently, but the twist drill is the most common.
There are three types of drill bits found in metal:

  • High-speed steel (HSS): General-purpose drilling.
  • Cobalt: Stainless steel and harder metals.
  • Carbide: Hardened steel, Production level.

It is also important to mention that all bits will need sharpening for optimum performance. Dull bits will create an ugly finish on the job and might destroy the part:

4. Milling Cutters

They are multi-cutting point cutters that remove material from workpieces in a rotary motion using machines. There are many types of milling cutters used for machining. The ones mostly used are:

  • End mills: Mostly used for side milling, slotting, and contouring.
  • Face mills: Carry flat surfaces.
  • Ball nose: Ball mill cutters are best for 3D or complex geometries.

Tip: Make sure to use the correct coating for your material (TiN or TiAlN). The coat increases wear resistance.

5. Broaches

Broaching tools have a sequence of teeth that get progressively larger. They are used to take away material in one stroke.
Where broaches perform most effectively:

  • Internal keyways
  • Splines
  • Holes with non-round cross-sections

Horizontal and vertical broaching machines are available in various sizes and shapes to suit the job.

6. Reamers

Reamers do not cut. They clean up and smooth out already drilled holes, reducing them to precise diameters.
Uses include:

  • Drilling accurate holes for fasteners
  • Providing a proper fit between parts
  • Surface finishing

Use reamers strictly after pre-drilling. Using them as initial cutters will quickly wear them down.

7. Taps and Dies


Taps and dies are essential tools used for creating and repairing screw threads, both internally and externally. Taps are used to cut or form internal threads (like in a nut), while dies are used to cut or form external threads (like on a bolt or screw). These work best with proper cutting lubricants to minimize friction and enhance thread quality.

8. Plasma Cutters


Plasma cutters are tools used to cut through electrically conductive materials like steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, and copper using a high-velocity jet of hot plasma.

Benefits

  • Cuts through hard metals
  • Efficient and fast
  • Little heat distortion if properly used
  • Usually applied in heavy fabrication, construction, and shipbuilding.

9. Waterjet Cutters


A waterjet cutter uses a stream of water, pressurized up to 60,000–90,000 PSI, to slice through materials. When cutting harder substances like metal, stone, or glass, an abrasive (like garnet sand) is added to the water for extra cutting power. These employ high-pressure water (occasionally blended with abrasive particles) to cut metal without heat.

Suitable for:

  • Metals that bend when heated
  • Finesse designs
  • Thick materiald


Because there’s no heat-affected zone, the properties of the metal remain intact, so it’s ideal for delicate alloys.

10. Laser Cutters


Laser cutters are fast and accurate. They employ a concentrated laser beam to cut or engrave metal.

  • Best suited for sheet metal.
  • Produces clean, precise edges.
  • Ideal for custom or intricate parts.


They are used extensively in electronics and the sign industry.

Selecting the Right Tool


Every tool is used for a particular purpose. The appropriate option will depend on:

  • Metal type:Soft metals can be cut using HSS (High Speed Steel) tools, while tougher alloys can be cut using carbide or diamond tips.
  • Finish required:If a smooth finish is required, you will use a reamer or a face mill.
  • Cutting speeds:If you deal with high volumes and need to turn them over faster than lightning, use a plasma cutter or laser cutter, as both will cut with results in minutes.
  • Budget:Typically, using a high-tech cutter can be pricey, but you save hours by making parts in bulk.

Conclusion


Today, manufacturers have more cutting tool choices than ever before. From basic lathe tools to highly accurate slitting saw cutters, the decision is based on your application, materials, and production objectives.
As a leading industrial knife manufacturer , we’re convinced to provide the best cutting tools.s. Whether cutting sensitive aluminium sheets or handling hardened alloys, selecting the right tool is half the task achieved.

Industrial Knives Maintenance Guide: How to Prolong Blade Life

Industrial Knives Maintenance Guide: How to Prolong Blade Life

Jun 20, 2025

In any production environment where cutting is involved, the state of your blades is more important than you realize. A dull or out-of-alignment industrial knife not only slows down production but can also ruin materials, degrade the quality of the finished product, and even lead to expensive breakdowns. Poor maintenance habits can, over time, become a costly habit.

This is not a manual on high-end engineering or fancy equipment. The importance of the simple procedure that maintenance people and operators alike can perform to extend the lifetime of their industrial knives while gaining increased efficiency during operation on the shop floor.

Why Knife Maintenance Is Worth Your Time

In a properly sharpened state, knives create clean cuts, minimizes motor stress, quiets vibration, and maintains the material in a smooth flow. Such subtleties accrue over time. Dull blades often cause more damage; they rip rather than cut, take more pressure, and begin to impact other parts of the machine affecting the performance and unscheduled downtime.

Consider maintenance as insurance, rather than a task. A minute or two per day can spare hours of downtime down the road.

Common Issues Due to Lack of Proper Blade Care

  • Jagged or rough cuts: This is frequently the initial indication that a blade is becoming dull. It may still “cut,” but not in the way you require.
  • Increased resistance: Machines start to feel strained. Greater effort is required to accomplish a previously effortless task.
  • Heat Build-Up: Dull blades can heat up the system when working due to high pressure and resistance.
  • Misalignment Wear: When a blade is misaligned or improperly seated, it wears unevenly, resulting in more wear on one side than the other.
  • Chipping of the Blade: Such tiny chips and cracks occur but grow huge with use.

How to Maintain Your Industrial Blades

Despite daily crushing workloads, there are daily routines that can maximize a blade’s life.

Cleaning It

Dry the blade after use. Do not leave glue, ink gloss, or any other hard-to-remove substances on it overnight. Use materials that will not corrode the metal; this may include the use of special cloths or mild cleaners. If you are in a food-grade area or packaging, check if your industry allows the use of the cleaner.

Look Closely

Train your eyes to pick that early wear indicator. Inspect the surface for signs of discoloration, fine scratches, or small nicks along the edges. These issues can sometimes be tricky to identify until they impact performance. Early detection will offer you more options for addressing the issue than waiting until the damage becomes pronounced. 

Check Blade Seating

Ensure the blade is fully and securely seated in its holder before commencing work. A blade that shakes or wobbles during the operation is unlikely to wear evenly and may snap.

Keep Weekly Checks 

Once a week, it pays to slow down and take a closer look.

Test for Sharpness 

To test the blade sharpness, make an easy scratch on the material you usually cut. If it passes straight through, then you are good to go. If it results in  dragging, pulling, or heaping burrs, consider sharpening.

Check the Mounting Area

Remove the blade, peer inside, and inspect the surface upon which it rests. Dirt, rust, or even slight damage can hinder even a sharp blade from performing well. Go ahead and clean it thoroughly and check for signs of wear.

Verify Alignment

Utilize a straight edge or dial indicator. Circular Slitting blades must be level with the axis of rotation and aligned parallel to the material feed. Misaligned blades generate uneven cutting and accelerated wear.

Monthly Maintenance Procedures

Monthly maintenance is precision work. Have your maintenance lead or technician perform these.

Measure Blade Thickness

Resharpening takes off material from the knife. If the sharpening is not done correctly, it will change the profile of the blade over time. Using a caliper or micrometer, measure the maximum and minimum thickness remaining. 

Balance the Blade

Unbalanced industrial blades cause machines to shake, regardless of how sharp they are. You don’t have to do this once a week, but once a month is a good goal. A little vibration now can lead to larger issues down the line.

Check for Cracks

Use a flashlight or a dye penetrant if necessary. Check around the mounting holes or the inside edge of the blade. Stress fractures usually begin there.

Read more: 5 Tips to Keep Your Rotary Slitter Blades Sharp and Efficient

How to Sharpen the Blades

Proper sharpening is a multi-step process. Knowing when not to sharpen and when to sharpen is key.

Step 1: Use the Suitable Equipment

Either take your blades to an establishment with a fine surface grinder or buy one yourself. Manual sharpening is fine for some kinds of tools, but not for industrial knives.

Step 2: Use the Right Angle

Follow the manufacturer’s suggested angle closely for sharpening. Causing variation diminishes blade life and affects cut quality.

Step 3: Stay Away from Overheating

Coolant is necessary. Grinding produces heat, and excess thereof can weaken the blade. This shortens its operational life and enhances the possibility of cracking.

How to Prevent Corrosion of Industrial Knives and Blades

Surprisingly, most blades get injured after being sharpened, during transportation, or during storage.

  • Clean and Dry blades after usage.
  • Utilize protective covers for each knife.
  • USE Corrosion Inhibitors such as rust preventatives, to create a protective barrier on the blade. 
  • Don’t nest blades on top of each other.
  • Store knives dry; even a slight amount of storage moisture can cause rust, especially on carbon steel blades.
  • Mark used vs. unused blades to keep track during installation.

Read also: Types of Steel Mill Rolls and Their Applications in Industrial Processes

When It’s Time to Replace a Blade

Eventually, maintenance won’t cut it. Here’s how to tell when it’s time:

  • The blade is too thin after sharpening.
  • It can’t maintain an edge even after grinding.
  • There are visible cracks and warping.
  • Poor cut quality, even when mounted correctly.

Don’t attempt to “stretch” one more cycle out of a blade that is failing. It isn’t worth the risk to your equipment or the quality of production.

Maintenance Schedule Cheat Sheet

Task Frequency Notes
Surface Wipe Daily End of every shift
Visual Inspection Daily Focus on edges and chips
Mounting Check Daily The blade should not wiggle
Sharpness Test Weekly Use actual material to test
Alignment Review Weekly Use a straight edge or a gauge
Mounting Surface Clean Weekly Scrub and check for damage
Thickness Measurement Monthly Use a caliper or a micrometer
Crack Inspection Monthly Use a flashlight or dye
Balancing Monthly Watch for machine vibration
Full Sharpening As Needed Based on performance, not time

 

Final Word

All types of Industrial machinery and tools require maintenance. Proper cleaning, inspecting, and sharpening is the best way to increase the life of your cutting tools in good condition.  As a leading Industrial knives and blades manufacturer, we provide knives designed to last; however, the best blades must be properly cared for. Contact us for assistance in selecting the best blades or advice on maximizing the performance of the ones you already have.

What Are Industrial Knives? Types, Uses, and Materials Explained

What Are Industrial Knives? Types, Uses, and Materials Explained

Jun 19, 2025

Industrial knives are the backbone of modern manufacturing — performing everything from precision cutting to heavy-duty shearing. Known by different names, machine knives, slitter knives, slitting blades the working of these blades is simple and precise.If you’re producing food, working with metals, or processing plastics, industrial blades are involved at some stage of the production line.
But what exactly are industrial knives? How do they differ from regular blades? And what makes one knife more suitable for packaging, while another is built for slicing through steel?

In this blog, we’ll explore:

  • What industrial knives are
  • The most common types
  • Where they’re used
  • And the materials that make them tough, reliable, and fit for purpose.

 

What Are Industrial Knives?

Industrial knives or machine blades are high-precision and high-volume cutting tools used for slitting, scoring, shearing, trimming, or scraping various materials. It comes in multiple sizes, shapes, edge geometries, and material compositions. Based on the application, businesses can determine which one is most suitable for them. While most commonly you will find these knives similar to the large kitchen blades, they also come in circular, serrated, or in unusual configurations to fit the machines. 

Types of Industrial Knives

Each domain is unique and requires knives for specific tasks. Here are some of the most common types you should know: 

Straight Knives

Mostly used in cutting machines for textiles, rubber, and plastics, these blades are long and flat. Straight knives and also known as  shear blades might have slick, serrated, or toothed edges depending on the material being cut.

Regular uses: Cutting fabrics, rubber sheets, and plastic films.

Circular Knives (Rotary Blades)

As the name implies, circular blades are round cutters that spin during the operation. These are disc-shaped blades that rotate to perform continuous cuts. They’re often used in slitting machines for film, foil, paper, or sheet metal.

Common uses: Slitting paper, foil, plastic film, and textiles.

Toothed Knives

These are perfect for sawing or tearing action, thanks to their serrated edges. Drives that deal with materials that are tough to cut and fibrous use these toothed blades to get clean cuts. 

Common uses: Cutting synthetic fibers, leather, and particular types of packaging materials.

Perforation Knives

These are developed to make holes and small dents in materials that can be torn along the line. Perforation knives are often used in the packaging and printing industries.

Common uses: Creating tear lines on labels, bags, or packaging films.

Tray Knives and Packaging Knives

Mostly used in automatic packaging machines to form, cut, or seal packaging materials. Tray knives often have custom shapes designed for creating food trays or containers.

Common uses: Food packaging, blister packs, and vacuum-sealed containers.

Guillotine Knives

These are straight blades that move vertically in a guillotine-like action. You will find guillotine knives in machines or presses that can make very clean, straight cuts through thick or stacked materials. 

Common uses: Cutting stacks of paper, foam, rubber, or sheet metal.

Pelletizer Knives

Used in plastic initiatives for cutting extruded plastic strands into small pellets. Pelletizer knives are mostly mounted in rotary cutters that slice the plastic quickly and uniformly.

Common uses: Plastics manufacturing and recycling.

Also read: 5 Tips to Keep Your Rotary Slitter Blades Sharp and Efficient

Common Uses  

Multiple sectors depend on industrial knives for various operations. Some common applications include: 

1. Food Processing

Large knives are used to slash, dice, and portion meats, cheese, vegetables, and bakery items. Typically, stainless steel blades are chosen for their superior resistance to breakdown. 

industrial knives and blades

2. Paper and Pulp Initiative

Used to slit, score, or cut paper rolls and sheets into desired dimensions.

3. Plastics and Rubber

The industrial knives are used for trimming, slitting, or chopping plastic films, sheets, and extruded materials.

4. Metal Industry

Shearing knives are used to cut metal sheets or rods to precise sizes.

5. Textile Manufacturing

They help cut fabric into shapes or patterns for clothing, upholstery, and industrial fabric applications. 

Read Also: Types of Steel Mill Rolls and Their Applications in Industrial Processes 

Materials Used  for Industrial Knives and Blades Manufacturing

The performance and lifespan of an industrial knife heavily depend on its material. Different cutting jobs demand different properties — some blades need to be ultra-hard, others must resist corrosion, and some must stay sharp under extreme heat. Here’s a closer look at the most commonly used materials in industrial knife manufacturing:

Carbon 

Carbon steel is a popular choice for general-purpose cutting. Very quick and cheap, but it can rust.

Stainless

Fights rust and is ideal for wet or food-related applications.

  • 440C stainless: High hardness and corrosion resistance.
  • 420 stainless: Good corrosion resistance, easier to machine and sharpen.

High-speed (HSS)

High-speed steel is built for extreme performance under heat and stress. It stays sharp even at high temperatures, making it ideal for metal trimming, plastic slitting, and other high-speed cutting tasks where endurance is crucial

Tungsten carbide

Super formidable and long-lasting, fantastic for challenging assignments.

Ceramic

Intense and rust-free, suitable for use in clean conditions such as medical or food production.

Considerations When Choosing Industrial Knives

Here are a few things that you should asses when buying an industrial knife: 

  • Know What You’re Clipping: The most important thing to assess is the type of item you will be cutting with the blade. These cutters come in different varieties for both hard and soft cuttings.
  • Pick the Right Blade: It is vital to determine the suitable industrial cutter, as some are made from strong metals and others from softer materials, for different purposes. 
  • Think About the Blade Shape and Edge: The blade shape and its edges affect how it cuts certain materials. For every operation, whether slicing or heavy-duty cutting, specific blades are more suitable. 
  • Match the Blade to the Machine: It is not confirmed that every blade will be a perfect half for different machinery. If you are replacing an old one, it is important to ensure that it will perform. 
  • Select a Fit Supplier: The quality of the edge also relies on the business from which you are purchasing it. A suitable supplier will help you choose the right blade and answer any questions you might have related to it. 

Conclusion 

Therefore, Partnering with a trusted industrial knives manufacturer ensures you get blades tailored to your machinery, industry, and performance requirements. Maxwell Slitter Industries is a popular name in the industry. We are appreciated for our products and exceptional customer service. You can find a variety of items, including work rolls, metal slitting saws, separator discs, metal spacers, and rubber-bonded products.