Optimising Blade Performance
Blade Break in
The correct break-in of a bandsaw can extende blade life by up to 30%.
M42 bi-metal Blades
To break in a new blade for metal cutting;
- Set the band speed to the recommended surface feet per minute (SFPM) or (MPM) for the materials to be cut.
- Intially set the feed rate at 50% of the normal cutting rate.
- Gradually increase feed rate up to the normal recommended rate.
Carbon Blades
To brake in a new blade for wood cutting;
- Set the band speed to the recommended surface feet per minute (SFPM)
- Before cutting the material run the blade for 5 minutes
Machine Setup
It is essential that all machine guides including; roller guides, fixed guides and pressure guides are set properly and replaced when worn or damaged to avoid premature blade life.
Wheels
- Correct wheel alignment is critical to blade performance.
- Worn bearing causing gulleted cracks.
- Check that the wheel flange does not rub the blade back causingback edge cracks to occur.
Blade tension
Tension on the blade is essential to prevent it from flexing during the cut.
Coolant
Cutting Fluids are recommended to reduce the frictional heat generated at the cutting edge and wash chips away from the blade. Please see our range of high performance cutting oils, we have a diverse range of products to suit all types of applications
| Materials | PSI | KPA |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Flexback | 15 - 20,000 | 100 - 140,000 |
| M42 Bi-Metal | 25 - 40,000 | 170 - 210,000 |
BAND SPEEDS & FEEDS
The band speed is measured in surface feet per minute (SFPM) or surface metres per minute (SMPM).
To calculate SFPM or SMPM use the following procedure;
- To determine the RPM: refer to the machine manual or clock the revolutions per minute of the wheels.
- Measure the diameter of the drive wheel.
S.F.P.M = Wheel Diameter in inches x 0.262
S.M.P.M = S.F.P.M x 3.28
| MATERIALS TO CUT | BLADE MATERIAL S.M.P.M | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood | Most | Flexback | 1000m |
| Plastic | Most | Flexback | 1000m |
| Carbon Steel | 1055 - 1095 | Bimetal | 50 - 70m |
| Stainless Steel | 308 - 348 | Bimetal | 25 - 40m |
| Titanium | 6AL4V | Bimetal | 25 - 35m |
| Bronze | Most | Bimetal | 70 - 100m |
| Aluminium | 2011 - 2075 | Bimetal | 400 - 500m |
| Cast Iron | Class 40 | Bimetal | 40 - 60m |
| Copper | Bimetal | 80 - 100m | |
| Die Steel | A-2, D-7 | Bimetal | 25 - 60m |