The most popular equipment used for mechanical cutting is a band saw and a band saw directly working in it.
If we consider the general process of metal cutting, in which physical or mechanical action occurs, then it is called mechanical cutting.
At the moment, this metalworking process has gained the greatest popularity in our country.
And this reason for this popularity is explained quite simply.
Since mechanical cutting is currently the cheapest method of metal processing, the majority of manufacturers prefer this technology in order to achieve greater savings.
It is noteworthy that the most popular equipment used for mechanical cutting is a band saw and a band saw directly working in it.
Let's look at each type of this equipment in the most detail.
A band saw is a multi—cutter machine tool designed to carry out the process of sawing materials such as metal, wood and other.
The saw is a steel flexible band on which the teeth are located.
The advantages of this tool include the following: A fairly long service life; Processing from various cross-section shapes of materials; A significant reduction in energy consumption during sawing with these types of saws.
Band saw machines are used to perform productive cutting of various metals.
With their help, it is possible to process various alloys and metals, starting from non-ferrous metals and aluminum, and ending with hard types of steels (titanium, nickel).
The main features of this machine are the following: Despite its mobility, it has a fairly high performance; The design of this type of machine is rigid.
In terms of design, commercially produced band saws are divided into 3 types: column type or double-column, pendulum and portal.
In addition to this, each of the above-mentioned types has a diverse set of modifications, which differ from each other only in performance, overall dimensions and power.
Basically, pendulum-type machines are used for cutting metal of small diameters (up to 250-300 mm), as a result of which they are used only in private metal warehouses and small enterprises.
For this type of machine, such as two-column machines, the movement of their saw frame can only be carried out along vertical racks (lifting and lowering).
At large metal depots or enterprises, double-column type machines are used for cutting along the length of workpieces, in which the cutting size at the maximum level is from 400 to 700 mm.
The manufacture of portal-type machines is mainly carried out based on the technical specifications set by the customer, which are used to cut a sheet of metal according to a predetermined marking.
For this type of machine, the saw frame is capable of moving along the portal itself.
Band saw equipment, if considered according to the degree of automation, is also divided into 3 types: manual — in which muscle efforts are required to lift the frame; vises, also related to manual; semi–automatic — lowering and lifting of the saw frame is carried out automatically; hydraulic vises, but the workpiece is fed manually; automatic machines - a fully automated process of feeding the workpiece, its clamping and sawing.
As the main parameters of the band saw type equipment, the following can be distinguished: The width of the profile to be processed (mm); The maximum length of the workpiece cut in automatic mode (mm); Cutting width (mm); Maximum angle for sawing (0); Cutting speed and feeding of the workpiece (m/s); Geometric dimensions of the saw itself (mm).
Band sawing machines with high productivity can significantly increase the intensity of production.
These machines are able to replace several types of equipment performing any one specific operation, since they are capable of cutting various ranges of cross sections, with the possibility of batch cutting.
That is why it allows you to reduce energy consumption, achieve more free space, and in addition, due to the small width of the cut, increase the volume of output due to high-quality cutting.
Despite their high cost, they will quickly pay off due to increased productivity, reduced energy consumption and increased production volume.
For a high-quality cutting process, it is important to correctly select the pitch of the teeth from the saw blade.
It depends on the profile being cut and its technological characteristics.
You can select this parameter based on approximate calculations.
When making this choice, attention should be paid to the fact that from 3 to 4 teeth should be in contact with the workpiece during sawing.
Therefore, when replacing the workpiece (and therefore changing the section) to optimize the quality and speed of sawing, it will also require replacing the saw blade.
Band sawing — despite the fact that it is a new, rather progressive method of metal processing, which has cardinal differences from traditional old methods.
It is unlikely that those who have already appreciated the advantages of this method will return to the old technologies.
The equipment designed for band sawing allows continuous cutting of rolled metal to certain billet sizes.
With the help of these machines, it is possible to cut metals of any type (stainless steel, non-ferrous metals, alloy steel, cast iron).
It is possible to cut packages of workpieces with a fairly small cross section.
The cutting of rolled metal is mainly carried out perpendicular to the axis, but also the cutting on the bulk of the machines can be carried out at an angle that can reach even 60 degrees.
In band saws, a saw specially designed for this purpose acts as a working organ.
It is made of reinforced high-strength steel, on which there are cut teeth.
This type of saw allows you to reduce the width of the cut, and, consequently, increase the volume of products and reduce waste.
In addition, when cutting, due to the small cutting width, less effort is applied, and, consequently, there are savings in terms of energy consumption.
Let's compare, for example, abrasive cutting machines with band saws.
The first ones are good only when it is necessary to cut off several blanks of small diameter.
At the same time, these machines are accompanied by sparks, noise and metal dust.
In addition, there is no possibility of batch cutting.
The disk is subject to wear during operation.
There is also one important drawback – these are the burrs remaining on the surface of the cut, which require further removal.
But on the other hand, all these factors are absent in band saw machines, which are characterized by high productivity and sawing quality.
Conclusion: if you do not want to spend money on energy, you want to have more free space in the workshop, use modern technologies, throw away expensive material in the form of scraps, then you should definitely think about purchasing band saws.
09 Martha 2017
