Rubbermaid Pelletizer Blades Case Study
We worked closely with a plant manager at the Rubbermaid Corporation to find out how the
costs of deep cryogenically treated pelletizer
blades stood up to the costs of untreated knives. Our experiment and
calculations are based on the parameters we extracted from this trial.
Cost Comparison | Treated vs. Non-Treated Knives
We compared the costs of a set of cryogenically
treated knives and untreated knives for a Nelmore grinder. The knives are D2 steel. Results and processing costs may
vary with the type of plastic, blade size, and number.
Data:
- Rubbermaid told us that untreated blades wear out
after three months of service. - Rubbermaid told us that cryogenically treated blades
wear out in 24 months. - The blade set costs $750.
- Labor to change blades is 4 hours.
- Cost to sharpen a set of blades is $100.00.
- Untreated blade sets can be sharpened ten
times. - Cryogenic processing of the blade set costs
$500. - Labor charge out costs is $50.00
- Time basis for the calculation is one year.
The total cost of using the blades:
- The cost of the set(s) used minus any residual value
at the end of the year - Sharpening costs
- Labor costs
Blade Cost Calculations
Cost of Untreated blades per year:
1Set11uses ×
1use3months ×
12monthsyear =
273$year
Cost of treated blades per year:
1set11uses ×
1use24months ×
12months1year =
57$year
Yearly Cost of Sharpening
The Yearly cost of sharpening untreated blades:
1Sharpening3months ×
1use3months ×
12monthsyear =
400$year
The Yearly cost of sharpening treated blades:
1Sharpening24months ×
12monthsyear =
50$year
Labor Costs for Changing the Blade
The Yearly cost of changing untreated blades:
4hoursChange ×
1change3months ×
12monthsyear =
800$year
The Yearly cost of changing treated blades:
4hourChange ×
1change24months ×
12monthsyear =
100$year
Conclusion
Treated | Un)Treated | ||
Yearly-Cost-of-Knives | $57 | $273 | |
Yearly-Cost-of-Sharpening | $50 | $400 | |
Yearly-Cost-of-Labor | $100 | $800 | |
Totals | $257 | $1,473 |
Total Savings
The money saved by using cryogenic processing was $1216 per year /per
grinder.
With over 65 grinders in one plastic molding plant, potential savings is over $79,000
per year. The money invested in processing the blades is returned in less than six months. More savings are
available if the screens are processed.
Contact Controlled Thermal Processing Today
If you want to improve the bottom line of your business by reaping the benefits of deep
cryogenic processing for industrial and mechanical parts, or if
you’re interested in metallurgy consulting or purchasing your own cryogenic processing equipment, reach out to the
cryogenic specialists at CTP by contacting us online or calling us at
+1-818-445-3030