glossary
Swarf — Industry Glossary Entry
Definition of swarf in industrial cutting: the chips and particles generated by the cut, and how swarf handling affects knife life and line cleanliness.
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Swarf is the chips, dust and particles generated by a cutting operation. On a paper slitter, swarf is fine paper dust. On a metal shear, swarf is the metal chip that drops from the cut. On a granulator, swarf is the output product itself.
Swarf and knife life
- Swarf trapped between the knife and the substrate accelerates wear (abrasive particles)
- Swarf trapped between the knife and the anvil accelerates anvil wear
- Swarf that re-contacts the edge after the cut can cause micro-chipping
- Swarf build-up on the edge is called built-up edge (BUE) — common on stainless cutting
Swarf handling
A good line has a swarf extraction system that removes particles from the cut zone before they re-contact the edge. On a paper slitter, dust extraction at the slitter station is standard. On a metal shear, a chip pan and conveyor is standard. On a granulator, the screen and discharge system handle the swarf.
See also.
