Hardware tools, as a category of daily-use hardware, are small yet widely used. Those who follow the development of knife technology will encounter an interesting phenomenon: the advancement of knife technology is no longer exclusively limited to continuously improving product performance for the sake of enhancing the economy and efficiency of knife application. Instead, a different impression has emerged: for a long time, knives were regarded as a machine tool component chosen for the machining process, with their potential often limited by the capabilities of the machine. In contrast, today's perspective is that this change is due to the transformation of the role of the knife manufacturing industry. Now, knife manufacturers have an innovative self-awareness, recognizing that they no longer just supply the required knives but also provide viable solutions to complex machining issues.
Manufacturer and user work closely together
The foundation for innovative knife development lies in the collaboration between knife manufacturers, machine tool manufacturers, and users. Without such collaboration, progress in manufacturing technology and material development would be difficult to achieve.
Diamond-coated whole carbide roller knives are used for machining aluminum alloy components with a silicon content of 0.25 for Airbus 380s. Another example is a handled roller knife suitable for turning and milling operations, which can be securely mounted with a heat chuck, ensuring stability. In the field of rack processing, a newly developed tool can shorten the machining chain. Indexable carbide rack knives, designed for rough and finish machining, eliminate the need for grinding hardened racks, thereby reducing the requirement for one machine tool.
