The band saw is an indispensable tool for those who work with wood, metal or other materials that require precise and clean cuts.
To obtain these results, however, just any band saw is not enough: you need to choose the right one, based on your needs and the type of material to be cut, but above all it is essential to rely on a quality machinery.
A safe and durable band saw must have some fundamental characteristics, which influence the quality of the work and the safety of the worker. Let’s see them together.
The main parts of the band saw
The structure of the band saw is based on a well-designed frame. A resistant structure is essential to guarantee the resistance and stability of the other components of the machine, combining the greatest possible height with solidity and robustness.
The flywheels are two large wheels, one lower and one upper, which transmit movement to the blade during cutting. They can be solid or spoked depending on the type and size of the machine, as well as on the needs of the users. The lower flywheel receives movement from the motor through belts, while the upper flywheel is driven by the blade that connects them. To facilitate the grip of the blade, flywheels are usually covered with a layer of vulcanized rubber.
However, when it comes to cutting metal materials, aluminium or hard plastics, this coating can be counterproductive. For this reason, the surface of the flywheels is left bare, so that they can be cleaned with special systems that avoid the deposit of residues and do not damage the blade. The flywheels of ACM machines also have a special crowning that prevents the blade from sliding backwards during cutting.
Ours are made of cast iron, because of all the materials it offers the greatest stability over time, it also supports a high number of revolutions per minute (rpm) essential for a clean cutting finish. Their weight also allows for high inertia, helping the motor to maintain a constant number of revolutions without effort during processing.
The support table, also in solid cast iron, has a cut for the passage of the blade, a groove for accessories useful to facilitate the operator and is tiltable. To guarantee a quality cut, it is essential that the support surface is perfectly flat and smooth, without any irregularity that could interfere with the movement of the material to be cut. For this reason, the support surface of ACM machines is subjected to a special process, called laning. This process gives the support surface an optimal finish, which facilitates the sliding of the piece and increases its durability.
The electric motor is obviously essential to give thrust to the system. There are many on the market, of many types and with different performances. Ours are class S1/continuous load: this means that once started, the engine works with a constant load until at least thermal equilibrium is reached. The engine can therefore run for an unlimited time.
The engines chosen by ACM comply with the new international efficiency regulations: nothing better for an enthusiast who does not want to undergo excessive breaks dictated by the engine or even more so for a company that needs efficiency!
The secondary components of the band saw
The smaller parts that make up a band saw, equally important and essential, are:
- Two blade guides
- A blade protection system
- Emergency Stop systems at your fingertips
- Cleaning systems
- Adjustable fence
The blade guides
The name tells it: the main function of the blade guides is precisely to… guide the blade!
When the blade rotates at high speeds it is essential that it does not move uncontrollably from the flywheels, so as not to damage the machine and above all to protect the operator’s safety. The rear element, called the thrust bearing, takes care of this above all, compensating and stopping the thrust of the piece being cut.
The lateral elements, on the other hand, stabilize the blade and limit its bending, allowing precise and linear cuts to be obtained, even when making curved or shaped cuts.
ACM band saws have two blade guides that operate synergistically with each other: an upper one that must be kept at the shortest possible distance from the piece to be cut and a fixed lower one, under the table.
Since not all blades are the same nor all processes, ACM offers a large choice of blade guides .
The mobile blade protection system
The blade guard, in addition to offering support to the upper blade guide, protects the blade in the part where it is exposed. It is essential that it is always kept lowered as much as possible and for this reason we have thought of a comfortable and accessible lifting and lowering system.
Emergency Stop systems
Regardless of the reason that urges you to stop cutting, be it a coffee break, a telephone call or an unexpected event, it is essential that the emergency push button is within reach. If you want is possible to add a second kick stop button to the foot in addition to the one on the table or in the box.
Cleaning systems
Cleaning systems are a non-negligible element in a good band saw. If the blade and flywheel are not kept clean during processing, the risk of the blade breaking is just around the corner. And no one likes having to replace the blade right at the best moment!
For this reason, in addition to the classic flywheel cleaning brush, for more dirty jobs we have other systems, such as bronze scrapers for bare flywheels or the felt cloth moistened with lubricant which keeps the blade lubricated and clean.
In this article we have seen how band saws work and what their main features are. Now you can choose the one that best suits your needs. If you still have doubts or want to find out more about some aspect, do not hesitate to contact ACM customer service. We are experts in the band saw sector and we offer you free, personalized advice to help you find the ideal solution for you.