CMT 288.160.36Q Industrial Scoring Conical Blade 160 x 45mm T36 CO+Flat is a professional-grade conical scoring blade from CMT, engineered for chip-free scoring on melamine-coated panels, double-sided laminates, and veneered sheet goods. With a 160mm diameter, 36-tooth configuration, and CO+FLAT tooth geometry, this blade delivers clean, splinter-free score lines that protect the bottom face of the workpiece before the main rip blade passes through - making it a reliable choice for high-throughput panel sizing operations where surface quality is non-negotiable.

Key Features

• CO+FLAT (Conical + Flat Top) tooth geometry - produces flat-bottomed, chip-free scoring cuts that eliminate tearout on the bottom face of melamine and laminated panels, reducing waste and rework.
• 36-tooth count on a 160mm diameter blade - provides consistent scoring frequency across the full kerf width, maintaining an even, clean groove on demanding laminated surfaces.
• Adjustable kerf range of 4.3 - 5.0mm tooth thickness with a 3.2mm plate - allows fine-tuning to match the kerf of a thick main saw blade, ensuring the score groove aligns perfectly and prevents chipping.
• 45mm bore diameter with pin hole configuration 3/11/70 - ensures precise, stable mounting on compatible panel sizing machines, minimizing runout and vibration during operation.
• HW (Hardmetal/Carbide) tooth material - provides long service life and durability in continuous industrial scoring applications, reducing downtime for blade changes.
• 10 deg. cutting angle - optimized for scoring applications, balancing clean entry into laminated surfaces with sufficient tooth strength for repeated production use.
• Suggested for use with machines with vertical regulation of the scoring blade - allows precise depth and kerf-width adjustment to match changing production requirements without removing the blade.

Why This Product

• Designed specifically for melamine and laminated panel scoring - the CO+FLAT grind geometry addresses the exact challenge of cutting through brittle decorative surfaces without chipping, which standard blades cannot reliably achieve.
• The adjustable 4.3 - 5.0mm tooth thickness kerf range means this blade can be dialed in to complement a thick kerf or panel sizing main blade, eliminating the guesswork of matching scoring and main blade kerfs.
• Industrial-grade carbide (HW material) construction is suited for continuous panel sizing production environments where the blade must perform consistently across high volumes of sheet material.
• The 3/11/70 pin hole specification and 45mm bore ensure compatibility with a range of industrial panel sizing machines that use vertical scoring blade regulation, making this a purpose-built solution rather than a general-purpose substitute.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 288.160.36Q
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Blade Diameter: 160mm
• Number of Teeth: 36
• Bore Diameter: 45mm
• Pin Hole: 3/11/70
• Tooth Grind: CO+FLAT (Conical + Flat Top)
• Teeth Thickness: 4.3 - 5.0mm
• Plate Thickness: 3.2mm
• Cutting Angle: 10 deg.
• Tooth Material: HW (Hardmetal Carbide)

Approved Applications

• Industrial conical scoring on panel sizing machines
• Scoring melamine-coated panels and boards
• Scoring double-sided laminated panels
• Pre-scoring before main rip or panel sizing blade cuts
• Use on machines with vertical regulation of the scoring blade
• Suggested for use with thick kerf or panel sizing main blades

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between CO+FLAT geometry and a standard conical scoring grind?

CO+FLAT combines a conical tooth profile with a flat-top finishing element. The conical profile scores into the laminate surface progressively, while the flat-top element creates a smooth, flat groove bottom. Together they produce chip-free, clean score lines on melamine and laminated panels - something a purely conical or purely flat grind does not achieve as consistently.

Why does the kerf range matter when choosing a scoring blade?

The scoring blade's kerf must match or slightly exceed the kerf of the main saw blade. If the score groove is narrower than the main blade's kerf, the main blade will chip the laminate on its exit side. The 4.3 - 5.0mm adjustable tooth thickness of this blade allows it to be set to match a thick kerf or panel sizing main blade, ensuring the score groove fully covers the main blade's path.

Which machines is the CMT 288.160.36Q compatible with?

This blade is suggested for panel sizing machines that feature vertical regulation of the scoring blade. The 45mm bore and 3/11/70 pin hole configuration are the key dimensional requirements for confirming compatibility with a specific machine. Always verify your machine's bore size and pin hole pattern against these specifications before mounting.

Can this scoring blade be used to cut melamine and laminates on both faces of a panel?

Yes. The CO+FLAT geometry is designed to produce a chip-free score groove on the bottom face of the panel - the face in contact with the machine table - before the main blade completes the cut. This protects the bottom laminate surface from tearout. For double-sided laminated panels, the combination of this scoring blade and a quality main rip blade is the standard approach to achieving clean cuts on both faces.