Optimization of manufacturing process of stainless steels by biomimetic approach and increasing sharpening performance

Abstract

In the present study, a biomimetics approach were used in all design stages of the improved bionic circular blade design. Finite element method is used in optimization. The analyzes were repeated theoretically until the best result was obtained. Samples were produced using the best obtained results, then tests were carried out. The heat treatment step was removed from the manufacturing flow of the bionic circular blade resulting an important cost reduction about 60% in the product. The bionic circular blade is designed to operate without sharpening. As a result, a patent application has been filed for the bionic circular knife developed within the scope of the study. Intellectual property right of the research was obtained with the patent number 2017/12077. The main results obtained in the present paper can be summarized as follows: the heat treatment step was removed from the manufacturing flow of the bionic circular blade. Thus, the 7-stage manufacturing flow followed for the standard circular knife has been reduced to 4 stages for the bionic circular knife. Due to the removal of heat treatment processes, the production time is decreased by 40%. For the improved bionic circular blade, a different material and optimized dimensions are used. As a result, material savings of around 76% is achieved with a material coast reduction of about 60%. The bionic circular blade is designed to operate without sharpening. For this reason, blindness problems currently experienced in the designed blade are not experienced. Research continues to increase the 10-hour application time achieved without the need for sharpening.