TDI ESD Cutters - Induction Hardened Cutting Edges



ESD CUTTERS: INDUCTION HARDENED CUTTING EDGES
"The Technical Source!"


EDGE HARDENING: The cutting edge is the most important part of a cutting tool. Our top quality cutting tools have cutting edges which have been induction hardened. Many lower quality cutting tools are only case hardened which results in lower cutting edge performance and shortened tool life. INDUCTION HARDENING: Our tools are all induction hardened utilizing high grade, high carbon content steel as the base material for the tool.
After machining, the tools are individually placed in the a high frequency current electrical coil. This current induces a deep heat at approximately 900ºC in the highly localized area of the cutting edges. The cutting edges are then rapidly cooled with a water or oil quench which immediately transforms this small, localized area into a steel structure which is exceptionally hard. In fact, the edges are so hard that they become brittle. The tools must be tempered, by heating to approximately 200ºC, to relieve stresses from the hardening process. This additional annealing procedure produce cutting edges which are not only hard, but tough as well. Toughness is the ability to resist brittle fracture or sharp impact loads. The process achieves very hard edges, 63 to 65 on the Rockwell C Scale, with a depth of 2 to 3mm to allow resharpening. These tools then undergo another careful machining process to secure this ultimate in flush cutting. EDGE HARDENING: The cutting edge is the most important part of a cutting tool. Our top quality cutting tools have cutting edges which have been induction hardened. Many lower quality cutting tools are only case hardened which results in lower cutting edge performance and shortened tool life. INDUCTION HARDENING: Our tools are all induction hardened utilizing high grade, high carbon content steel as the base material for the tool.

CASE HARDENING: As a comparison, most lower quality tools are case hardened. Case hardening is usually a three step process. First the tool, made of low carbon steel, is surrounded by carbon to increase the carbon content on its surface (or outer case). The entire tool is then heated to a temperature of approximately 870ºC, followed by an oil or water quench. This process imparts an elevated hardness to the cutting edges of the tool (as well as the rest of the tool). But this hardness is seldom over 55 on the Rockwell C Scale. Because this hardness is literally only skin deep, sharpening such a tool is not possible. Many times cutting tools are made this way because they can be stamped from a lower grade material and case hardened in large, bulk quantities. CONCLUSION: The actual number of cuts which a tool can perform before getting dull is determined by the specific material being cut and by the force being applied by the operator. However for the same material and the same amount of force applied, tools with induction hardened edges will last 5 to 10 times longer than tools which are only case hardened.


Electronics / Medical Device Assembly \| Disk Drive Assembly \| Life Sciences / Pharmaceutical / Biotech Ergonomics \| ESD Safe \| Cleanroom Equipment \| Assembly Ph:(520) 799-8000 \| Fax: (520) 799-8002 \| Email: sales@tdiinternational.com © Copyright 2000-2008 TDI International, Inc. TDI Home \| Products \| What's New? \| Hot Deals! \| Sales Reps \| Privacy Policy