The Swedcut Calculator is a value-based selling tool developed to help distributors demonstrate the productivity and cost-saving potential of upgrading to a more durable Swedcut doctor blade. By using customer-specific production data, the calculator estimates the approximate annual savings that can be achieved through reduced downtime, fewer blade changes and less scrap. This tutorial explains how the calculator works, what inputs are required and how the result can be used when presenting a proposal to the printer.

 

The Swedcut Blade Calculator

 

What the Calculator Does

The calculator estimates the approximate annual saving potential that can be achieved by using a more durable Swedcut blade. The preset is that a doubled blade life compared to the presently used doctor blade will be obtained. The prioritized color stations where we find the best potential for productivity improvement are the most abrasive inks, such as white inks, metallic inks, lacquers and varnishes. To obtain the annual approximate saving, add the following customer-specific inputs in the calculator:

  • Blade specification of the presently used blade: blade brand, blade size and edge type
  • Blade price in EUR/m of the blade that is currently being used
  • Maximum performance of the blade in total meters produced until it is worn out
  • Speed of the printing press, in meters per minute
  • Efficient total number of production hours per day

In 3-shift production, the efficient production hours usually range between 14 and 18 hours.

 

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Presenting the Result

The calculator result is presented to the printer together with a free Swedcut test coil. Depending on what type of blade is currently being used, the substituting Swedcut blade could be a specification of MFP, MKG, H7, H9 Plus or H40 Plus. You can always contact Swedev for advice on test blade product specifications, availability and delivery time before you present a proposal to the printer.

Example Calculation

A printer gave the following information about the white ink deck in one of its flexographic CI presses:

  1. Blade specification: MFlex I 40×0,15mm Lamella
  2. End user blade price: 2,60 EUR/m
  3. Maximum number of produced meters: 90 000m
  4. The printing press speed: 300m/min.
  5. Production hours per day: 15

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The calculator will in this case show a potential annual saving of 28 000 EURO based on less downtime and less scrap resulting from fewer blade changes exclusively in the white ink station. The printer would in this example be offered a test with MFlex Plus 40×0,25 mm Radius.

The Calculator can be applied to forecast potential savings in all color decks. A Swedcut blade upgrade in process colors should be combined with a matching Swedcut blade upgrade in the abrasive decks. Reaching a similar blade life performance in all decks will optimize productivity in the printing press. Do not hesitate to contact Swedev if you would like to have more information.

 

The Swedcut Blade Calculator