Innovative Sharpening and Forming Technologies for Metals

US sharpening is extremely suitable when it comes to enhancing bladequality2)

The patented1) operating principle of ultrasonic sharpening

A hammer mechanism which is operated by means of 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.

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.

Ultrasonic sharpening is a versatile cold formingprocess that lends itself to full automation featuringmicro range precision

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Component

Sonotrodes

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

Blade material flow at the tip of cutting edge

Photomicrograph of the worked cutting edge of a grid blade

Application video: www.kan-tech.com

US sharpening is the enabler technology behind revolutionaryinnovations in the mass market for cutting tools

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

Technological advantages of ultrasonic sharpening technology

Typical fields of application

• Surgical scalpel blades and instruments

• Industrial blades and machine blades

•Razor blades

•Household blades

•Cutting tools

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Market launch of ultrasonic sharpened machine knives

Cold-work hardening by means of ultrasonic sharpening of grid knives

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)

•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!).

• Character of the zone of influence due to cold deformation

• Extraordinary enhancement of hardness in the transformation area

• Very smooth surface

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Video: www.kan-tech.com

Fast jeder Bereich des anvisierten Marktes hat das US Schmieden bereits auf dem Radar für Innovationen

Produkt Bewertung Details

Cooking knives Fraunhofer Institute forProduction Systems and DesignTechnology 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 (upfrom 43 HRC to 56 HRC)• Service life three times longerFraunhofer Institute forProduction Systems and DesignTechnology Berlin• Clearly enhances smoothness of the

blade topography• Significantly enhanced hardness

(cf. Messer Magazin 5/2007)

Weitere Beispiele bereits erfolgreicher VorentwicklungenU

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Nearly every segment of the envisaged market already has US forgingon its radar for innovations

Further examples of precursor developments which are already successful

Product Rating Details

Surgicalscalpels

World market leader from Germany:• After the "cutting force test“, 50% less

pressure is required• Even, nick-free cutting edges• Very fine, high-precision tips

White Russia State University forMedicine:• Healing process almost 50% faster due to improved characteristics of physical and mechanical cutting edge profile

Kochmesser World market leader from Germany:• Blade properties enhanced by up to

1.8 times as well as longer blade life• Topology of an ultrasonic sharpened

blade features the typical longitudinalelevation profile

Ultraschallgeschärfte Küchenmesser

Qualitative advantages of ultrasonic forging techno logy during thesharpening of scalpelsSCHEMATIC VIEW

Source: KAN-Tech GmbH

Ultrasound forging technology Traditional grindingtechnology

Scalpelprofiles whichcan berealised byvirtue of thistechnology

Side view(View: A)

View: A

View: B View: B

Cutting edge(View: B)

Nicks

Cutting edgewithout nicks

Advantages ofultrasound forging

Production ofspecial profiles

Avoiding nicks onthe surface and onthe cutting edge

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First successful prototype systems for ultrasonic sharpening feature alot of potential for automation

Anlagentechnik zum Ultraschallschärfen verschiedenen Produkte

Prototype systems for sharpening razor blade strip (unhardened)

Prototype system for sharpening knife blades System for sharpening knife blades

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Prototype systems Prototypanlage with linear axes and scanning

Patente

Patent Name Contens

Patent DEDE 10127546

PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A BLADE FOR A CUTTING TOOL AND THE TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ITS REALISATION

Realisation of blades for superior technical requirements as well as operating properties (razor blades, scalpels etc.).

Patent EUEP 1 382 414

METHOD OF MAKING CUTTING TOOL EDGE AND A BLANK PART FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD

Realisation of blades for superior technical requirements as well as operating properties (razor blades, scalpels etc.).

Patent USAUS 9089891

Patent EUEP 1838474

METHOD OF MAKING CUTTING TOOL EDGES, A DEVICE FOR REALIZINS SAME, AND A STRIKER USED IN THE SAID DEVICE

Production of blades through ultrasound forging with rotating sonotrodesU

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KAN-Tech GmbHHaedenkampstr. 845143 Essen Germany

Commercial Register: Amtsgericht Essen HRB Nr. 248 51 USt-Id-Nr.: DE-203732896

Contact: Dr. Philipp Schlenkhoff Robin Schlenkhoff

Tel: +49 (0) 201 86321 53 Mail: info@kan-tech.comInfo: www.kan-tech.com

Innovative Sharpening and Forming Technologies for Metals