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Application and technology
About
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LINDSTRÖM HISTORY
Started in 1856, Lindström has set the standard in
precision tool manufacturing. As one of the oldest
continuous producers of hand tools in existence today,
Lindström maintains its edge over the competition
through its technical understanding, response
to market needs, and commitment to advanced
technology. Metallurgy, manufacturing techniques,
and tremendously skilled crafts people – particularly in
the hardening of steel – are the hallmarks of this world
renowned manufacturer.
Some companies have been able to implement one
facet or another of the Lindström manufacturing cycle.
Others have attempted to copy the form, appearance
and even the actual part numbers of Lindström
cutters. However, none has been able to successfully
blend all the elements that are required to achieve
the level of performance recognized worldwide as
belonging to a true Lindström cutter.
BACKGROUND
Many years ago, cutters were primarily used in
heavy-duty work, i.e. cutting heavy electrical wire
and wires used in the telecom eld. In order to meet
the requirements of linesmen and other general use
workers, tool manufacturers designed a cutter that
left a wide, pyramid-shaped lead end after cutting. Its
hardness was adequate for the strain put on the
cutter blades.
However, as the electronics and other related
industries developed, the requirements on tools,
and in particular cutters, became far different. For
example, many people believe that an electrician must
do a lot of cutting. Yet, an electrician may make
fewer cuts in his lifetime than some electronic
assembly workers make in one month! Therefore,
the need for cutting small wires thousands and
thousands of times necessitated a radically new and
innovative technology.
Small cutters were needed that could cut both
extremely small and relatively large diameter wires,
often of quite different materials. In addition, the lead
ends had to be quite different since the solderability of
these wires was of paramount importance. These lead
ends had to be covered completely and properly with
no bare copper or basis material exposed.
Compounding the problem was the accessibility
issue, as not all cutters could get into the same area.
Transmission of the mechanical shock of cutting to
sensitive semiconductor components added even
more cutter design challenges. However, despite
some manufacturers’ claims to the contrary, there are
no secret or ‘magic’ materials or processes that can
give you some kind of super cutter for all applications
Some inherent trade-offs in the design of tools and
choices must be made in order to meet certain
application requirements. For example:
At what point is the cutter head small enough to gain
access and still be able to withstand the impact of
cutting wires (of various sizes) innumerable times?
How ush should the cutting edges be in order
to meet tough specications yet still keep tool life
extended to the maximum? And what about resist-
ance to edge damage due to occasional misuse?
To what degree of hardness should the tool be made
in order to extend tool life and still limit breakage due
to being too brittle?
What type of joint should be put into a tool to extend
the precision of the cutting edges and still be cost
effective for you to use?
Understanding these trade-offs is the key to making
an objective and cost-effective choice of tools for your
specic application.