Horizontal Band Saw Guide

Introduction

A band saw is a powered sawing machine that uses a saw blade to cut through the workpiece. Horizontal band saws are widely used in various industrial applications, including metal and wood processing and can also be used to cut a variety of other materials at variable speed. Compared with ordinary circular sawing machines, the main advantages of horizontal machines include uniform cutting movement due to the uniformly distributed tooth load, and the ability to cut irregular or curved shapes like a jigsaw.

Construction and Main Features

As a multi-point machining tool, band saws are majorly utilized for cutting metal stock in the preparation for other processes. A band saw is constructed with two wheels, a saw band, a worktable, and a power source. The saw band connects the two wheels so that it runs as the wheels spin. The power source is usually an electric motor. The motor drives the wheels that spin at a high speed so the band can cut accordingly.

The worktable is placed between the wheels and that is also where the workpiece is positioned and cut. A horizontal metal cutting band saw machine has a similar construction with the wheels having a horizontal configuration. The worktable is below the wheels and the saw band. The operator only has to adjust the settings and push the start button and the machine will do the rest.

Both wood processing and metal processing produce chips that are harmful to factory personnel. Therefore, horizontal bandsaws or any other sawing machines are usually equipped with brushes or brush wheels to prevent chips from getting caught between the saw teeth. In addition, in order to cool the saw blade, the horizontal bandsaw must be designed with a cutting fluid circuit, because the coolant can wash away the chips while keeping the saw blade cool and well lubricated.

Speed Factors

The speed of horizontal bandsaw is determined by other major factors, ranging from about 0.20 meters per second to 25 meters per second. In some specific band sawing types, such as custom band sawing machines designed for friction cutting of extra-hard metals, these machines can run at a belt speed of about 76 meters per second, thereby increasing production efficiency. Most modern band saws offer the operator variable speed settings which allows for flexible cutting operations depending on the workpiece material.

Sawing Applications

The horizontal band saw is sawing equipment specially designed for industrial metal cutting. They can be used for very long workpiece cutting tasks, such as the manufacture of construction steel and bars in mechanical structures. Horizontal or vertical bandsaws are available on the market for customers to choose from, and each has different advantages.

Horizontal sawing can be performed in different phases and directions. In the field of metal processing, it can be used for a variety of sawing tasks, ranging from single tiny parts to heavy and large workpieces. Now, many large sawing machine types can withstand the huge vibrations caused by the cutting movement. Although the horizontal band saw does not have the gantry design like the machining center, they are strong and stable and can provide excellent sawing performance.

The Horizontal Advantage

The horizontal band saw clamps the workpiece while the saw blade swings down through cutting. This kind of configuration is used to cut long workpieces (such as tubes or solid bars) into a certain length. Therefore, this is essential equipment in most metal production lines. However, a horizontal bandsaw is not very convenient for cutting specific contours (such as curves or other complex shapes).

And in industrial medium and large band saws, the descent rate is usually determined by a hydraulic cylinder that deflates through an adjustable valve. Both woodworking and metalworking operators know that harmful chips are generated during the cutting process. Therefore, metal cutting band saw machines are usually equipped with brushes or brush wheels to prevent chips from getting caught between the saw teeth.

Vertical vs. Horizontal, Circular vs. Band

Vertical metal cutting band saws are also known as contour saws. The workpiece is moved across the blade to cut. This type of band saw is smaller and requires less power. It is commonly used to cut pliable metal using its circular blade for complicated cuts. In most cases, they come with a built-in blade welder that can repair broken blades. It also allows the blade to perform the interior cutting. Instead of a coolant system, there may be a blower for cooling and cleaning the work area from chips. Another difference between the two types is that the horizontal band saw machines are designed to cut larger pieces, whereas the vertical saws cut smaller pieces. If you want to learn more about vertical band saws, please check the link down below.

Circular sawing is not like band sawing in many ways. Circular sawing machines use circular tools to perform the sawing process instead of using saw blades, which leads to their different processing characteristics from band sawing machines. A circular saw is a powered saw that uses toothed or abrasive disc sets or saw blades to cut different materials by rotating around a mandrel.

CNC Controls

Today, the horizontal bandsaw is usually controlled and operated by a CNC system. Common automatic band saws have preset feed speed, return, descent, part feeding, and part clamping functions. These functions allow a single operator to efficiently feed and unload many automatic band saws. Some automatic band saws rely on CNC technology to achieve faster cutting and excellent cutting precision.

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