How to sharpen Granulator Blades

If there’s one tool in the size reduction industry that endures some of the most demanding tasks, it is none other than the Granulating blades. The task of Granulating paper, hard plastics, and other recyclable materials can cause the blades to become dull. This also increases the need to change the blades within short periods, leading to a halt in production.

However, there are ways to sharpen these blades to improve their durability and also increase their efficiency. The best and most efficient way to sharpen Granulating blades is precision sharpening. Using precision sharpening on Granulating blades, increases its efficiency and generally improves the consistency and output of the granulator machine.

Precision sharpeners use specific processes and equipment that are unique and effective for maintaining granulator blades. With Saturn machine knives precision Sharpeners, customers receive their blades in pristine conditions retaining both their tolerance and alignment.

Selecting a Granulator Blade Sharpener

When sending out your blades for sharpening, ensure that the vendor has full knowledge and understanding of the tolerance of your blades. The tolerance of each set of blades determines the width of new and sharpened blades.

For better understanding, blades that come with holes are often used in fixed blade granulators and are mostly unadjustable. For this reason, the blades have to meet the specified width tolerance and alignment. As for Granulating machines that use slotted blades, the blade width can be adjusted but must meet the straightness requirement.

At Saturn machine knives, we offer the best granulator blade sharpening service in the country. This is due to our full understanding of granulator blade tolerance as we are also major suppliers of granulator blades. We understand that there are different tolerance levels for every set of Granulating blades.

How are Granulator Blades Sharpened?

Granulating blade Sharpening is a multi-step process that has to be duly followed. The first process of course involves cleaning up the blades. This is done using vibratory processing which takes off the plastic residue from the blade. The preceding step involves measuring the blades to determine the least amount of material that can be taken off the blade while maintaining its tolerance.

During the sharpening process, a magnetic chuck helps to keep the blade while it rotates to ensure the exact angle needed to keep up with the tolerance. While the blade is held in place, the grinder begins to sharpen the blade. The grinder takes out only about a thousandth to 5 thousandths of an inch from the blade. This helps to reduce the amount of material lost during sharpening.

Throughout the entire process of sharpening, the blades are sprayed with coolants to help reduce the heat emissions and heat checking. Heat checking often alters the durability of the blade as it reduces its toughness and hardness.

In terms of how much sharpening a blade can endure, granulator blades can be sharpened at least ten times during their time of use. This is possible for most granulator blades since the sharpening process removes less than fifty-thousandths of the blade material. Saturn Machine Knives produces top-quality granulator blades and knives built to withstand excessive sharpening and heat checking.

Guide to Sharpening a Granulator blade

Step 1: Cleaning of the Granulator blade
Cleaning the granulator blade is the first step in the sharpening of the granulator blades. Vibratory processing is the most suitable method for cleaning a granulator blade.

Step 2: Marking Out The Area To be Sharpened
This step involves measuring the area of the granulator to be sharpened. This will help to determine the amount of material to take off from the blade during the sharpening process.

Step 3: Mounting The Blade On A Magnetic Chunk
The granulator blade is held in place by a magnetic chuck to prevent any unwanted movement during the sharpening process. This reduces the risk of errors during the sharpening process.

Step 4: The Sharpening Process
Depending on the sharpening service, there are several machines and tools for sharpening granulator blades. The major tool required for proper sharpening is a Blanchard grinding machine fitted with proper grinding stones. When sharpening the blades, the marked lines are carefully followed to retain the blade’s tolerance. Sharpening all granulator blades together as a set is a great way to maintain accuracy across all the blades.

Step 5: Use of Coolants
A huge amount of heat is produced during the sharpening of granulator blades. Coolants are applied or used to flood the blades during sharpening to prevent heat checking. Without using coolants during the sharpening process for granulator blades, the heat may cause the blades to soften making the blades become dull.

Step 6: Storage Of The Blades
After sharpening the blade, there needs to be proper storage of the blade to prevent it from getting dull. Duct Tape or any other available blade should be applied on the edges of the blades for additional protection. The use of rust inhibitors is also essential to the storage of the blades. It helps to inhibit the rusting process, prevent the blades from rusting from exposure to water and air.

In terms of how much sharpening a blade can endure, granulator blades can be sharpened at least ten times during their time of use. This is possible for most granulator blades since the sharpening process removes less than fifty-thousandths of the blade material. Saturn Machine Knives produces top-quality granulator blades and knives built to withstand excessive sharpening and heat checking.

Conclusion
Precision sharpening remains the most suitable option for companies operating a Granulating machine as it costs only about 20% of the price for replacing a granulator blade. In essence, sharpening granulator blades helps to reduce the cost of maintaining a Granulating machine.

Proper sharpening also ensures optimum performance and efficiency from the granulator blades. Therefore, it is important to partner with precision sharpeners that understand the tolerance requirements of a granulator blade. Saturn Machine Knives offers top-class sharpening service to have your granulator blades working as good as new. We understand the strict tolerances involved in precision sharpening as we also produce some of the best quality granulator blades.