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.
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.