Utility Knives and Scalpels
Knives, Scissors and Saws
Utility knives and scalpels cover the cutting work that pliers and scissors do not reach: opening packaging, trimming films and gaskets, removing lacquer residue and solder resist on a printed circuit board. They are distinguished by blade system, that is snap off blade in the 9 mm or 18 mm strip, trapezoid blade and scalpel blade in the standard format range, and by safety function, from a retracting blade to a detectable version for food and clean areas. Inside an EPA, knives with a dissipative body are used, with a resistance in the range 10⁶ to 10⁹ Ω to IEC 61340-5-1. The range covers 52 articles, with Ideal, Franz Mensch, Bernstein, Proxxon and C.K as the leading brands.
| Design | Blade | Characteristic | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utility knife, metal body | snap off blade 9 mm | narrow blade, fine cut control | film, adhesive tape, packaging |
| Utility knife, plastic body | snap off blade 18 mm | adjustable blade, 160 to 165 mm length | cardboard, insulation, cable duct |
| ESD utility knife | snap off blade 18 mm | dissipative housing to IEC 61340-5-1 | EPA workstation and goods receiving |
| Safety knife | fixed or retractable blade | automatic retraction, grip hole | cartons, logistics |
| Detectable safety knife | retractable blade | metal detectable, blue coloured | food and clean areas |
| Scalpel | blades no. 10 to 13 | stainless special steel, exchangeable | circuit boards, prototype and fine work |
Typical applications: goods receiving and package opening with a safety knife; rework on printed circuit boards and assembly samples with a scalpel; cutting films, gaskets and foam inserts; cable duct and insulation work in control cabinet building; work inside the EPA with a dissipative housing; areas with foreign body control where only detectable knives are permitted.
