Innovative Sharpening and Forming Technologies for Metals US sharpening is extremely suitable when it comes to enhancing blade quality 2)
The patented 1) operating principle of ultrasonic sharpening
A hammer mechanism which is operated by means of Component an ultrasonic generator forms a cutting edge. The sonotrodes – which come in the form of a hammer and an anvil – build a gap that corresponds to the wedge angle of the future blade. Sonotrodes The energy imparted by several tens of thousands of strikes per second makes the material flow in the cold state thus leading to a plastic deformation of the metal in the area of the cutting edge. Application video: www.kan-tech.com
Blade material flow at the tip of cutting edge
Photomicrograph of the worked cutting edge of a grid blade UltrasonicUltrasonic sharpening sharpening Ultrasonic sharpening is a versatile cold forming process that lends itself to full automation featuring micro range precision
1) Patente: US 9089891; EP 1838474; EP 1 382 414; DE 10127546 2) Expertise by Fraunhofer Institute for Production Systems and design Technology (IPK) Berlin US sharpening is the enabler technology behind revolutionary innovations in the mass market for cutting tools
Technological advantages of ultrasonic sharpening technology
Positive effects: • Significant cost reduction in sharpening process •Creating sharper cutting edges by forging instead of grinding • Significant improvement of blade quality and blade life •Creating new blade profiles •Deployment of more cost effective materials •No harmful effects for human health/the environment due to grinding dust •Lends itself to full automation
Typical fields of application • Surgical scalpel blades and instruments
UltrasonicUltrasonic sharpening sharpening • Industrial blades and machine blades •Razor blades •Household blades •Cutting tools Market launch of ultrasonic sharpened machine knives
Cold-work hardening by means of ultrasonic sharpening of grid knives
• Character of the zone of influence due to cold deformation • Extraordinary enhancement of hardness in the transformation area • Very smooth surface
Microscope image of the transformed blade of a grid knive.
Results of ultrasonic sharpening •Enhanced strength of the base material of 1400 MPa (43 HRC) due to the ultrasonic forging process up to 2000 MPa (56 HRC) UltrasonicUltrasonic sharpening sharpening •Reduced surface roughness •This enhanced hardness and the smooth surfaces lead to a considerable increase of the blade‘s durability during operation (service-life three times longer!).
Video: www.kan-tech.com Fast jeder Bereich des anvisierten Marktes hat das US Schmieden bereits auf dem Radar für Innovationen
Weitere Beispiele bereits erfolgreicher Vorentwicklungen
Produkt Bewertung Details Cooking knives Fraunhofer Institute for Production Systems and Design Technology Berlin • 16% harder in the forged core region (up from 58 HRC to 67 HRC) • Enhanced surface in the forged area (cf. Messer Magazin 5/2007)
Machine knives Market leader from Germany: • Harder in the forged core area (up from 43 HRC to 56 HRC) • Service life three times longer Fraunhofer Institute for Production Systems and Design Technology Berlin UltrasonicUltrasonic sharpening sharpening • Clearly enhances smoothness of the blade topography • Significantly enhanced hardness (cf. Messer Magazin 5/2007) Nearly every segment of the envisaged market already has US forging on its radar for innovations
Further examples of precursor developments which are already successful
Product Rating Details
Surgical World market leader from Germany: Qualitative advantages of ultrasonic forginglogy techno during the scalpels • After the "cutting force test“, 50% less sharpening of scalpels pressure is required SCHEMATIC VIEW • Even, nick-free cutting edges Advantages of Ultrasound forging technology Traditionalultrasound grinding forging • Very fine, high-precision tips technology Production of special profiles Scalpel View: A profiles which White Russia State University for can be realised by virtue of this Medicine: technology • Healing process almost 50% faster View: B View: B Side view due to improved characteristics of (View: A)
physical and mechanical cutting edge Avoiding nicks on the surface and on profile the cutting edge Nicks Cutting edge (View: B) Cutting edge without nicks
Source: KAN-Tech GmbH
Kochmesser World market leader from Germany: Ultraschallgeschärfte Küchenmesser • Blade properties enhanced by up to 1.8 times as well as longer blade life UltrasonicUltrasonic sharpening sharpening • Topology of an ultrasonic sharpened blade features the typical longitudinal elevation profile First successful prototype systems for ultrasonic sharpening feature a lot of potential for automation
Anlagentechnik zum Ultraschallschärfen verschiedenen Produkte
Prototype systems for sharpening razor blade Prototype systems Prototypanlage with linear axes strip (unhardened) and scanning UltrasonicUltrasonic sharpening sharpening
Prototype system for sharpening knife blades System for sharpening knife blades Patente
Patent Name Contens
Patent DE PROCESS FOR THE Realisation of blades for PRODUCTION OF A BLADE FOR DE 10127546 superior technical requirements A CUTTING TOOL AND THE TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ITS as well as operating properties REALISATION (razor blades, scalpels etc.).
Patent EU METHOD OF MAKING CUTTING Realisation of blades for EP 1 382 414 TOOL EDGE AND A BLANK PART superior technical requirements FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD as well as operating properties (razor blades, scalpels etc.).
Patent USA METHOD OF MAKING CUTTING Production of blades through US 9089891 TOOL EDGES, A DEVICE FOR ultrasound forging with rotating REALIZINS SAME, AND A UltrasonicUltrasonic sharpening sharpening sonotrodes Patent EU STRIKER USED IN THE SAID DEVICE EP 1838474 Innovative Sharpening and Forming Technologies for Metals
KAN-Tech GmbH Haedenkampstr. 8 45143 Essen Germany
Commercial Register: Amtsgericht Essen HRB Nr. 24851 USt-Id-Nr.: DE-203732896
Contact: Dr. Philipp Schlenkhoff Robin Schlenkhoff
Tel: +49 (0) 201 86321 53 Mail: [email protected] Info: www.kan-tech.com