Scallops – How They Can Improve Machine Blade Cutting Performance

In certain cutting applications, adding scallops to a machine blade is a great way to improve cutting performance.  Scallops on the blade’s edge produce a more aggressive cutting action and can increase blade life.

A scallop is a sharpened recessed curve along the blade’s edge.  Scallops feature sharp “points” at the leading edge of the cut and offer more linear cutting surface than a standard beveled-edge in the same space.  How do these features improve a blade’s cutting ability?

More Aggressive Cutting Action – Scallops on the blade’s edge improve its cutting ability by providing single point penetration into the work being cut.  At the same time, the center of effort shifts around each scallop, introducing a wide range of cut angles to the material being cut.  It is this “rocking” motion that increases the aggressiveness of the blade’s cutting action.  Because of this, scalloped-edge blades are able to cut tougher materials more effectively than standard beveled-edge blades.

Longer Blade Life – Scallops improve blade edge retention because the tips initiate the cut, easing the amount of force required to cut for the recessed edges of the blade.  The points protect the sharp inside curves that continue the cut, resulting in the curves wearing more slowly over time.  Also, scallops increase the cutting edge length by up to 35% (the average is approximately 15%).  In many applications, more cutting edge and reduced edge wear result in longer blade life.

Scallops come in different configurations, from shallow to deep, short to long, pointed to wavy.  Hyde IBS has even developed blades with “micro-scallops” – many small scallops within the larger scallop – for certain applications.  We would be happy to work with you to see if scallops on your machine blades can improve your cutting operation.