The Basics of Sawing Machines
Sawing machines are used to cut narrow slits in metal and other materials. They are part of the cutoff operations that are necessary to rough up parts before machining or forging. They are also used for cutting curved patterns in sheetmetal.
Set up, operate, or tend wood or metal sawing machines. Examine blueprints, drawings, or work orders to determine equipment set-up, blade selection, or cutting procedures.
Circular saw
The circular saw is a great tool for cutting straight lines in wood and other materials. It can also be used to make angled cuts. However, it’s important to choose the right blade for your project. There are many different types of circular saw blades, and each one is designed for a particular type of material. The speed at which the motor can spin the blade – measured in revolutions per minute (RPM) – has an impact on performance, too. The higher the number, the faster the cut.
Before using a circular saw, it’s important to read the manufacturer’s instructions and familiarize yourself with how the tool works. You should also learn how to select the best blade for your project sawing machine and what safety precautions to take. It’s also recommended that you visit a store and try out different models to see how they feel in your hand. Different brands will have different handles, weights, and power levels.
Generally, circular saws are sold with either a right- or left-blade design. Right-handed people use right-blade saws and lefties use left-blade saws. Regardless of which side you use, always keep your fingers away from the blade when it’s cutting and be careful to avoid clogging your tool with wet debris. Most of all, don’t forget to use a guide fence for accurate cuts.
Band saw
A band saw is a woodworking tool that uses a thin blade to cut workpieces. The blade is driven by a pair of roller bearings, which are mounted on rubber-coated drive and idler wheels. These wheels are a major safety feature. They keep the blade from getting bound on aluminum castings, which could result in a serious pinch point.
The band saw’s frame is made from heavy gauge welded steel for serious rigidity compared to cast iron, which flexes under stress. This helps reduce vibration and noise. It also helps ensure a consistent, smooth cutting action. The saw’s motor features a soft start instead of a basic on/off switch, which eliminates the jolt you often get when turning on a band saw.
When using a band saw, it’s important to keep the blade properly tensioned to avoid inaccurate cuts. The blade’s width, gullet depth, and tooth pitch all affect the quality of the cuts. A wider blade is better for resawing, while a narrower blade works best for fretwork and other small-radius, intricate cuts.
The saw’s quick-release blade tension lever is a convenient convenience that makes de-tensioning the blade at the end of a shop session faster and easier. It also leaves the blade in a 6 o’clock position, providing a visual queue for the user to remember to reset the tension before turning on the machine.
Cold-sawing machine
Cold saws are a great option for cutting metals like steel and rebar. They cut at a lower RPM than circular saws, and they can also be resharpened multiple times. This nails packing machine reduces downtime and saves money by allowing you to use the same blade several times before it wears out.
They can also be used to cut softer non-ferrous materials, such as aluminum and copper. They are less expensive than abrasive blades, and they make precise cuts without leaving burred edges. They are also less messy than abrasive blades, which produce massive plumes of sparks. A cold saw can be adjusted to direct the sparks down, behind the machine, rather than all over the work area.
While the cold saw can cut both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, it is most effective for cutting softer materials. Harder metals can cause premature blade wear if the blade heats up too quickly. To avoid this, choose a solid high-speed steel blade or a tool steel with additional cobalt. Both of these types are stronger than HSS and can withstand higher temperatures.
The choice of blade type, tooth size, cutting speed, and feed rate should all be appropriate for the specific material and its thickness. Ideally, the material should be mechanically clamped to prevent movement during the cutting process. The blade should also be cooled and lubricated to keep it cool and free from discoloration.
Friction-sawing machine
There are many ways to cut sheet, plate, tubing, and structural shapes ranging from a hand hacksaw to power shears and lasers. While we constantly see new options emerge, it is important not to lose sight of the basic process methods and technologies that are still the best choice for most mainstream materials and applications. Friction sawing is one such “oldie but goodie” process.
In friction cutting, a metal band or circular blade rubs against the product at very high speeds, much faster than the work can absorb heat. This rubbing causes the flat toothed edge to generate heat at the very small tangential point of contact, and the force of this heat tears away a small chip from the surface of the workpiece.
Friction saws can be used for a variety of applications, from cutting thin-wall titanium sheets to cutting large, single- or bundled, thick-walled tubing. Compared to conventional sawing equipment, friction saws have lower initial costs and operate at a fraction of the speed, making them ideal for use in tight spaces.
Like other types of saws, friction saws create a significant amount of noise. Therefore, it is critical to keep personal protective equipment and engineering controls in place to ensure that sound levels remain below Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-required maximums. Heinemann Saw Company offers technical support to achieve the correct blade and specifications for each application, along with a comprehensive repair and reconditioning service.
