Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/507696
34 PalletCentral • March-April 2015 palletcentral.com balance situation, putting undue strain on the blade body and arbor bearings. Safety First, Best Practices Saw blades rotate at a speed of 10,000 to 15,000 feet per minute – 110 mph! Those spinning blades also require a lot of attention. In any manufacturing business, safety should always come first. No business operation plans on getting their employees injured, however there are a few observations that can be shared with plant managers and supervisors. "Cracked saw blades are a concern and have been addressed by OSHA decades ago. So that manufacturers understand its cause and effect, there are several conditions leading to cracked saw bodies," explains Jordan Chynoweth, vice president, Phillips Saw & Tool, Inc. • Never use a dull saw blade or one with missing teeth • Use properly sharpened saw blades; top and face edges sharpened every time • Use correct saw blade for the application • Keep belts in good shape and tight on pulleys. While most companies are not saw blade experts and rely on the expertise of the blade manufacturers, it is the responsibility of each business to monitor equipment for safety conditions and any potential hazards. Blades used in dismantling pallets may dull quicker than what are normally used in cutting wood because the carbide is softer in general. "Think cost per cut and not the initial price," advises Chynoweth. There are many factors in play regarding integrity and quality of the circular saw blade. "The correct tooth geometry alone will either hit a home run or strike out swinging." One size does not fit all. Recycled wood and new wood should incorporate different carbide and tooth geometries. The most obvious solution is to replace a dull blade with a sharpened blade. Dull blades are extremely susceptible to cracking and premature blade failure. So when is the right time to replace a blade? Stopping production in the middle of the day to replace a dull blade is not a best practice. "Most companies begin each morning with a visual inspection of the blades and other equipment before production ever starts," commented Sam Lacey, HUB industrial. "Any cracks in the blades can be hazardous and may cause injury, so it is recommended that you replace blades immediately." Educating your workers on these best practices keeps your operations running smoothly. However, it may not be enough to tell them; visual reminders or daily checklists are equally important, especially when placed near or directly on the equipment. Many companies provide checklists in both English and Spanish, and where pertinent, placed directly on the equipment. "How can you tell if a saw blade is dull? If light reflects off the cutting edges, it is dull; the edges are rounding over. A properly MANUFACTURING Photo courtesy of HUB Industrial Educating your workers on these best practices keeps your operations running smoothly. However, it may not be enough to tell them; visual reminders or daily checklists are equally impor tant.