MOKENA, Ill. – A high-performance blade can make the difference between a perfectly sliced product and a shredded mess. Processors are keeping a sharp eye on yield and giveaway, and with this in mind Formax developed the PowerMax blade technology.

PowerMax blade technologies from Formax can lead to a 25 percent increase in productivity and up to a 2 percent increase in yields, Provisur Technologies reports. Wear life can be increased by more than two years, depending on the application.


Formax blades are made from a high chromium alloy that is subject to a 14-step manufacturing process designed to provide significant blade life, according to Provisur. Formax's blade materials and technology allow blades to keep their edge longer with less likelihood of cracking and shattering. This is where the cost savings come in -- because they last longer, Formax blades are more cost efficient.

Before installation, Formax technicians test an assortment of blades in different combinations to determine the optimum blade for a processor’s specific application. This customization yields blade grinding equipment that produces a range of blade profiles, angles and edge serrations specifically suited to the user. Additionally, processors also have the option of having coatings applied to the blade surface to slice sticky or otherwise-challenging products, Provisur noted.