Common cutting lubricants
Commonly used general purpose lubricants include:
●Tap water
●Dish washing liquid (Joy, etc)
●Glycol
●
●Diesel fuel
●Mold release
●Mineral oil
Medical grade lubricants:
●Distilled water
●Isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol)
●Mixtures of isopropanol and water
Lubrication systems
The most basic blade lubrication system for rotary knife cut- ters is using a stainless steel tray filled with the lubricant. Because the cutting blade passes through the tray during every cutting cycle, the blade is lubricated before each cut. This approach limits material buildup on blade and bushing sur- faces for most applications. Care must be taken to maintain the lubricant level within the tray and clean out accumulated cut residue on a regular basis.
Spray mist systems can be used to lubricate either the blade or the extrudate as it enters the cutter bushings. These systems allow the application of a minimum amount of lubricant with good consistency. If the mist is applied to the product as it enters the cutter bushings, the lubricant will minimize the drag between the bushing bore and the tube or profile, as well as wet the blade and bushing faces. With flexible and/or sticky materials this can improve both cut quality and
The last method of blade lubrication (and the oldest) is the blade wipe system. Felt, sponge, or some other absorbent material is mounted so the rotary knife blade will pass through it, with interference, before making a cut. Typically a gravity drip or wick system is used to keep the absorbent material wet with lubricant. These systems not only lubricate the blade, but also wipe off residue before each cut. However, the operator must constantly observe the condition of the pads as they wear quickly and lose their function. Another concern (especially in medical applications) is what happens to wear particles from the pads. This material frequently ends up on the blade itself, and is then transferred to the very product it is meant to pro- tect from contamination.
BLADE AND
BUSHING
LUBRICATION
UGE059/1003 | BLADE AND BUSHING LUBRICATION | APPENDIX |
