Beijing-based robotics company Rokae is working with cutting tool manufacturer Zhang Xiao Quan to automate portions of knife and scissor blade manufacturing.

Using Rokae’s AutoGen software to guide them, the robotic systems will help to automate grinding, polishing, deburring and sharpening tasks, which are generally performed by an experienced craftsperson.

Source: Rokae

Traditionally, knife and scissor blade manufacturing involves rolls of steel cut into blanks that are then placed in presses and eventually sharpened by a craftsperson operating a spinning stone to create a sharp edge.

According to Rokae, the robotic systems result in efficiency gains over 50% and a 100% increase in productivity for some portions of the blade-making process.

To see how Rokae’s robotic systems work, watch the accompanying video that appears courtesy of Rokae.