Pivot-Type Bandsaw Machines
The first type of bandsaw machines based on their shape to introduce, are Pivot-Type bandsaw machines. These saws cut through the stock horizontally and so, they got their name from their operational type. A horizontal saw places the stock on the vice next to the band saw bed. Then the blade comes down horizontally to cut down through the stock.The horizontal band saws are used to cut large timbers into a smaller and manageable size. Typically, the Horizontal bandsaw machines are floor-mounted machines that are employed for jobs like simple cutting of solid steel, tubing, and other odd-shaped raw material stock.
How Does a Pivot-Type Bandsaw machine Operate?
The bandsaw blades in Pivot-Type bandsaw machines are driven by an electric motor, a belt and pulley mechanism is employed to drive the motor. This mechanism creates room for the speed of the blades to be adjusted in discrete stages according to requirements.
The cutting position of the bandsaw steel blade in a Pivot-Type bandsaw machine is horizontal and it makes cuts into the stock with a downward motion. The drive and idler wheels are positioned along the length of the machine on the machine frame, which pivots from a corner on the sawing machine bed. The material stock which is to be cut is mounted in a vise mounted on the bed of the machine.
Pivot-Type Bandsaw Machines Categories
Pivot-Type are commonly categorized into three groups: Manual, Semi-automatic and Fully automatic.
Manual: In manual bandsaw machines, the pivot Pull down requires the operator to manually lift the saw head up and down. This type of machines have already been obsolete.
Semi-automatic: Semi automatic saws require the operator to move the material manually for each cut whilst the saw takes care of the cutting with automatic gravitational downfeed and head return.
Fully automatic: Automatic saws are fully programmable and ideal for mass production cutting and can be left unattended for overnight production.
Parts of Band Saw Machine
- To avoid some harmful impacts on human health, a bandsaw machine is generally equipped with brushes or brush wheels for being able to prevent chips from getting caught between the blade teeth and causing damage.
- In order to cool the saw blade, the bandsaw machine must be designed and equipped with a cutting fluid circuit containing coolant liquid. The coolant liquid can wash away the waste material chips while keeping the saw blade cool as well as properly lubricated.
- Furthermore, the band saw machines which are controlled by PLC or CNC systems can be partly automated as well.
- Some automatic band saw machines that are equipped with digitally operated control units cannot just cut faster, but also cut in a more precise manner with higher accuracy, and eventually perform complex cutting operations like bevel cutting tasks.
- As a result, most of the modern bandsaw machines are pre-equipped with digital CNC controllers in order to adapt to today’s manufacturing requirements and standards.
If you are thinking of buying a new bandsaw, it's important to consider the following features:
When choosing a machine it's vital you get the sizing right. For example, a manual HD 375LR machine will cut 375mm and will cut a diameter of 300mm, but it's always best to add a bit on to your calculations as you don't want to have a machine working at its limit. Remember that if the machine mitres, this will cut down the capacity too, so you need to budget for that as well.
When buying a machine, it's important to decide if you want a manual machine, a hydraulic lift machine, a semi-automatic or an automatic bandsaw. The more expensive machines will lift up automatically after the cut, saving you time and effort if you have a lot of cutting to do.
You can choose machines that mitre left and right, or which mitre both left and right. If you are looking for a cheaper machine and don't need many mitre cuts, you could select a machine that mitres one way, and if necessary, flip the material to mitre the other way.
Blade speeds are very important in deciding which machine you need. The cheaper machines have two speeds -the slow speed is usually around 35 metres per minute and the fast speed is around 70 metres per minute. This is acceptable for stainless steel and mild steel. However, if you're cutting a wide variety of materials, you can choose a machine with a variator and the machine blade will cut at a numer of different speeds to suit all metals.
The more expensive machines, will clamp the work automatically - when you press the start button, they go down, cut the piece, go back up and unclamp. All you need to do is to feed the material through and press start.