General Information

Industrial manufacturers have the unique position of selling both to distributors and directly to end customers. The sales team must treat each of these relationships differently and be prepared to address the distinct needs, challenges, and goals of each of these customer groups.

The goal is always to provide the end customer with the best possible fit for their needs. A product that meets their goals (both immediate and long-term) and is gained with minimal effort on their part. To succeed, the sales team must look beyond the immediate request and rely on their experience and expertise to guide conversations and purchases in a way that builds trust and promotes true partnerships.

The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn't said.

Engineering is a critical part of manufacturing operations. When it comes to industrial knife and blade manufacturing at American Cutting Edge, we would be lost without the expertise, knowledge, and commitment of our engineering department. Since it's Engineers Week, we thought we would tell you a little about how these mission-critical professionals add to our business.

Founded in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), Engineers Week celebrates the difference engineers make in our world. The NSPE dedicates itself to ensuring the future engineering workforce is diverse and well-educated by increasing the understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers.

I recently

When it comes to manufacturing, distributing, and selling industrial knives and blades, metallurgy matters. A keen understanding of metallurgy plays a crucial role in determining what type of steel to use, when an element will enhance or detract from the performance of a cutting edge, and the overall durability of the end product. Metals are considered the backbone of the engineering industry. If your industrial knife supplier doesn't understand the behavior of the metals and alloys, they won't be able to effectively transform those raw materials into an end product that will provide a successful outcome for your cutting operation. Partnering with an industrial knife supplier with metallurgy knowledge and experience can make all the difference in your operation.

Iron

Why Material Selection Is Critical

When it comes to industrial knives and blades, material selection matters. The purchase of industrial machine knives and blades is often driven by price because the decision-maker is unaware of the benefits of using a different and more suitable material. Let's be honest, two knives of different materials look very similar. Sometimes, it's very difficult to tell them apart. But, the fact is that materials behave differently in cutting applications.

Factors That Influence Material Choice

Varying factors contribute to the decision to use a different material. Those factors range from a need for better wear resistance, more accurate cutting, or superior slit quality just to name a few. One recurrent customer question across all of the industries we serve is how to get better performance and life out of industrial machines knives and blades. And, our answer is always the same. "It depends on what your goals are for your cut

When it's time to replace your industrial machine knives or blades, you might not realize you have a choice when comes to your knife vendor. OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) replacement knives are those that are made or sold by the manufacturer of the machinery.

Finding the right industrial blade and knife supplier isn't as easy it may seem. You might think it could be as simple as ordering the part number of the knife or blade that corresponds to the model machine you're running. However, there's a lot more that goes into buying replacement knives than part numbers and placing the order.

If you're simply buying the part you need, replacing the knives, and moving on with the next item on your list, you could be missing out! Working with a trusted industrial knife supplier like American Cutting Edge can provide you with an opportunity

Whether you're in plastics recycling, packaging, food processing or other industries that require industrial knives

Knife manufacturers have the experience and knowledge to evaluate your cutting application

The Steel Tariffs imposed by the Trump administration have garnered significant interest; especially in our industry, where both steel and aluminum play a primary role.

This is hardly the first time a sitting President has imposed a tariff on steel. As early as 1979, then Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton proposed a series of tariffs, including one on steel, each of the new tariffs was accepted.

More recently, George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, Richard Nixon, and Lyndon B. Johnson all attempted to protect American steel producers by imposing tariffs on steel imports.

Often, it is tough to distinguish fact from fiction as we wade through the political commentary to understand how legislative decisions, such as this one, influence our industry.

Let's start with a few basic facts:

• Although dubbed the Steel Tariffs, the trade sanctions signed into law on

To optimize your granulator production and adequately plan for downtime, understand when your granulator blades are performing as efficiently as possible and when a maintenance action may soon be required. For granulating operations, performing preventative maintenance can save hours of unplanned downtime and increase the safety of the processing environment. However, for many granulators, maintenance is performed just-in-time (JIT), which requires recognizing the early warning signs of a maintenance condition.

"Proper preparation prevents poor performance." - Charlie Batch

Is Your Granulator Working Too Hard?

As granulator blades dull, the granulator requires more electricity to perform. Check amp readings of your granulator just after maintenance is performed and note the