Changing Trends in Winding Operations Create Demand for Quality Cut Knife Maintenance Program, 1995 Finishing and Converting Conference Proceedings

Frank H. Lang, Jr.

International Knife & Saw, Inc.

During the last several years there has been a trend for paper mills to upgrade the performance of their slitter knives, sheeter knives and cross cutters. The demand for higher edge quality of the paper is the driving force. Paper mills and converters are looking for ways to improve edge quality and also to reduce dust.

Many Knife companies offer exotic materials for top slitters and cross cutters such as CPM-10V, CPM-M4 (registered materials of Crucible Specialty Metals) and ASP-23, the European equivalent. These materials are powdered or particle metallurgy. They are designed to out perform traditional materials such as carbon based tool steels and "D" series tool steels 3-10 times. As for the bottom slitters (anvils), we use carbide inserted blades are often used which last 10-20 times longer than traditional tool steels.

However, upgrading tool steels is not enough. Paper mills and converters require the sharpest, keenest edge possible. With their conventional methods and equipment for grinding, they are unable to match the quality grind of that of a new knife, thus causing potential premature knife failure which will result in poor cut quality and rejects. As a result, many paper mills and converters are subcontracting their grinding...