Sheet Metal Slitters and Shears

Introduction to Sheet Metal Shears

Sheet metal cutting, a fundamental process in the metalworking industry, involves the precise removal of material from sheet metal stock to form a specific part or component. This process, essential in shaping the metal sheet into a finished part, employs various tools and techniques, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.

Working Mechanism and Industries

Sheet Metal Shears can also be called squaring shears, power shears, or guillotine shears. Sheet Metal Shears may be foot-powered, mechanical, or hydraulically powered. Most Sheet Metal Shears will have a shear table to hold the material, a work-holding device such as hold-down clamps, upper and lower blades, and a gauging device. The shear table is the part of the machinery that the workpiece rests on while being shorn. The work-holding device holds the workpiece in place and keeps it from moving or buckling while under stress. The upper and lower blades are the pieces of machinery that actually do the cutting, while the gauging device ensures that the workpiece gets worked where it’s supposed to be.

Sheet Metal Shears work by first clamping the material with a ram. A moving blade then comes down across a fixed blade to shear the material. For larger shears the moving blade may be set on an angle or “rocked” in order to shear the material progressively from one side to the other; this angle is referred to as the shear angle. Setting the blade on an angle decreases the amount of force required but increases the stroke. Understanding how the sheet metal cutting process works is crucial, especially if you’re involved in fabrication or metalworking. The process begins with selecting the appropriate sheet metal material and determining the required shape and size for the end product.

Useful Sheet Metal Shears Information

The journey of sheet metal cutting dates back centuries, evolving from simple hand tools to sophisticated machinery. Initially, craftspeople used basic tools like chisels and hammers to shape metal sheets, a process that required immense skill and effort. As industries evolved, so did the techniques for cutting sheet metal. The Industrial Revolution brought about significant advancements, introducing power tools and machines that could handle larger pieces of metal with greater precision. The introduction of the shearing process, where an upper blade and a lower blade precisely cut the metal, marked a turning point in the efficiency and capabilities of metalworking. The 20th Century saw further innovations, with processes like plasma cutting and laser cutting revolutionizing how metal was cut. These methods offered increased speed, precision, and the ability to cut through thicker materials. The development of CNC (Computer Numerical Control) technology further transformed sheet metal cutting, allowing for highly precise and automated operations.

Safety and Maintenance Tips

A Sheet Metal Shear should only be used by trained professionals. There are many potential hazards present when using shears. Extreme cutting hazards are always present. The risk of cuts from sharp workpiece edges after every cut is only one of the many risks one should watch for while operating a shearing machine.

Before you begin, ensure the guards and safety devices are installed and working properly. The shear blade edges should be maintained in good condition, and correctly adjusted. Ensure no slip/trip hazards are present in workspaces and walkways. You should never use the shear for cutting metal that’s beyond the machine’s capacity with respect to thickness, shape, hardness or type. The material should be properly supported during cutting and industrial-type gloves should be worn to protect the hands. Support arms must be installed for long materials. Always, ensure fingers and limbs are clear before operating any shear.