This section provides an overview for hot knife cutters as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 8 hot knife cutter manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked hot knife cutter companies as of November, 2024: 1.M.M. Newman Corporation, 2.SUHR A/S, 3.Abbeon Cal, Inc..
Table of Contents
A hot knife cutter is a cutter that uses the force of heat to cut molten material.
They are also called "hot cutters" or "hot knives." A hot knife cutter for styrene foam is called a "styrene cutter."
Figure 1. Nylon rope and cell tray
Heat knife cutters are used for cutting heat-soluble materials such as plastic, acrylic, nylon, polyester, styrofoam, and polyvinyl chloride, etc. They are often used in DIY, handicrafts, and gardening situations.
It can be used to cut plastic and plastic bottles for crafts, and to cut acrylic and styrofoam into desired shapes. It is also easy to cut nylon and polyester fabrics, ropes, and nets, as well as cell trays and plug trays used in gardening.
It is also used for weathering plastic models. Hot knife cutters can be used to create scars caused by bullets or beam weapons. They are also useful for disposing of large plastic products and Styrofoam, as they can be easily disassembled.
A hot knife cutter cuts heat-soluble materials by heating the blade with the power of electricity. Although heat-soluble materials can be cut with ordinary scissors or cutters, hot knife cutters use the power of heat to speed up the cutting process and produce a smooth, clean cut.
Nylon and polyester materials are welded to the cut surface, so there is no risk of fraying after cutting. Another feature of this type of heat cutter is that it does not easily produce shavings or other debris.
The following three points should be considered when selecting a hot knife cutter.
Figure 2. Wand soldering iron and gun type
There are two types of hot knife cutters: soldering iron type and gun type. The small soldering iron type is recommended for cutting thin and small objects. It is also suitable for fine cutting work.
For cutting thick and large objects, the large gun type is better. It has more power, but it is also heavier, so it should be handled with care.
Some products have attachable blades that can be changed according to the material to be cut. This is useful for cutting a variety of materials.
Figure 3. Heat cutters for styrofoam
When cutting Styrofoam, a bow-shaped hot knife cutter is easy to use. If you want to work in a stable manner, tabletop hot knife cutters are also available. The tabletop has guides drawn on it for accurate cutting.
To use a hot knife cutter, turn it on and wait a certain amount of time for the blade to heat up. The fastest ones can be used in about 10 seconds, depending on the product. For slower ones, you need to wait a few minutes. When the heated blade is applied, the material melts and is cut, just like cutting butter.
You need to be careful not to let the blade touch anything other than the area you want to cut. It is also helpful to have a stand on which to place the hot knife cutter and a heat-resistant cutter mat so that the desk or floor on which you are working will not be burned. The temperature of the blade can rise from 100°C to 500°C. A type of hot knife cutter that does not have a hand-held switch will stay heated as long as it is plugged in.
It is safer to unplug the outlet each time when not working continuously. Failure to do so may cause a fire. Also, it is important to work in a well-ventilated area, as the melting of the material tends to produce a small amount of smoke and an unpleasant odor.
As the hot knife cutter is used, melted debris from the material may stick to the blade. In such cases, the blade can be easily cleaned by keeping it in a heated state and scrubbing it with a brass brush. Chrome-plated blades are also resistant to melting debris.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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M.M. Newman Corporation is the world’s leading manufacturer and distributor of Heli-Tube spiral cable wrap, a versatile expandable plastic cable harness available in a wide range of sizes, colors, and materials. Applications for our product range from organizing wires, hoses, and tubing to protecting high-pressure hoses, cables and electrical cords against abrasion, plus so much more.
Carolina Knife & Manufacturing, Inc. is a manufacturer and supplier of industrial blades and machine knives founded in 1977 and headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina. The company specializes in steel and carbide knife manufacturing, knife sharpening, and lapping services. It offers circular blades and knives, tire and rubber blades, carbide cutters, knife holders, and hardened sleeves. The company adheres to ISO quality standards and caters to diverse sectors, including tire and rubber, paper conversion, textiles, plastics, and metal processing.
Rkens Technology CO. LTD, established in 2007 and headquartered in Dongguan, China, is a manufacturer of automatic machines. The company's products include radial lead cutting, axial lead forming, and automatic tube and tape cutting machines. It also produces PCB depaneling machines, wire processing auxiliary equipment, and PCB separators. Its radial and axial lead machines are used for shaping and cutting electronic component leads, while the automatic tube and tape cutting machines facilitate the cutting of tubes and tapes in manufacturing processes. The company also offers specialized equipment for automobile and new energy cable processing, wire splicing, and winding and bundling.
Hotwire Systems Ltd is a distributor of European Hot Wire Systems, founded in 2017 and headquartered in Harjumaa, Estonia. The company specializes in the sale, maintenance, and repair of equipment for cutting of foamed polystyrene. It offers hot wire foam cutters, hand-cutters, CNC foam machines, and XTR fast wire cutters. The company has worldwide logistic partners, including TNT, UPS, DPD, and ACE logistics. Its products are sold in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and Australia, serving the construction, packaging, automotive, and other industrial sectors.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | M.M. Newman Corporation |
41.3%
|
2 | SUHR A/S |
12.7%
|
3 | Abbeon Cal, Inc. |
9.5%
|
4 | KS EAGLE TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD. |
9.5%
|
5 | Hotwire Systems ltd |
7.9%
|
6 | KUTEX CUTTING MACHINE CO.,LTD |
6.3%
|
7 | RKENS TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD |
6.3%
|
8 | Carolina Knife & Manufacturing, Inc. |
6.3%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the hot knife cutter page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 3 | 37.5% |
China | 3 | 37.5% |
Denmark | 1 | 12.5% |
Estonia | 1 | 12.5% |