A Sharper Edge: Improving Operations with Anvil Knife and Service Solutions 

Matthias Paper serves the packaging, graphics arts and tag and label industries with slitting, rewinding, sheeting and guillotine cutting. Dean Holbert, Machine Operator, at Matthias Paper, had long experienced operations bogging down due to inefficiencies and equipment maintenance challenges. 

Valley Grinding brought solutions that transformed how daily operations are managed, significantly boosting productivity while slashing blade maintenance and replacement time. 

Split Anvil Knives: Doubling Durability, Splitting Hassles 

Challenge 

 
Dean’s 30+ year sheeter machines were equipped with traditional anvils that required frequent and time-consuming maintenance and repairs. The process of replacing or maintaining the anvils took at least 30 minutes, if not more, each time. 

Solution 

Also known as split bottom bands, split anvil blades allow for quick change-out through a unique locking device. This device allows the blades to be installed or replaced without having to disassemble the machine or remove any shafts or gears. 

Once Dean started using the split anvil knives, maintenance time was dramatically reduced. “It went from taking half an hour or more to now only taking 10 minutes or less to maintain the anvils. And we don’t have the hassle of constantly taking the bolts/collars off, with the chance of damaging the internal threads on the frame of the machine,” Dean said. 

Because split anvils are double-sided, they allow for extended use. When one side gets dull, Dean can simply flip it around to the sharp side. Not only is this a much faster and easier process than resharpening and replacing the anvils, but it has also doubled the usage time before maintenance is required. 

Pickup and Delivery Sharpens Shipping 

Challenge 

 
Previously, the process of sending out dull knives to be sharpened was highly inconvenient. The operational management team had to pack up the knives themselves using the company’s own boxes and materials to ship the blades via UPS. There were also a few times when knives were damaged during transit, resulting in additional downtime and expenses.   

Solution 

Valley Grinding’s direct pickup and delivery service eliminated the need for in-house packaging and dealing with third-party carriers. Specialized boxes are provided to help ensure knives remain secure during transit. The specialized packages also make the entire packing process smooth and seamless. 

“It’s so much more convenient for our operational manger to just put everything down in our shipping office and have Valley Grinding pick up the dull knives and drop off sharp ones every two weeks,” Dean said. 

A Cut Above 

 
By switching to split anvils, downtime due to blade maintenance and replacement has significantly decreased from at least 30 minutes to now 10 minutes or less, directly translating into higher productivity.