Why Use Industrial Sheet Metal Shear?
Sheet Metal Shear is a metal fabrication process that’s used to trim and remove unwanted material from sheet metal. It involves the use of a machine or tool, such as a guillotine machine, to slice through sheet metal with extreme precision. Shearing doesn’t require the use of heat — sheet metal is typically sheared while cold or at room temperature — nor does it produce waste in the form of chips, making it an attractive choice for manufacturers. To learn more about the metal fabrication process shearing and how it’s performed, contact us or request a quote!
What are the advantages of using sheet metal shears?
- Incredibly fast shearing in mere seconds
- Creates clean cuts with smooth edges
- Accommodates sheet metals in a variety of diameter sizes
- Cost-effective for high-volume manufacturing applications
- Produces no waste in the form of chips
- Can be performed on room-temperature sheet metal
- Easily shear aluminum, steel, stainless steel, bronze, iron, and copper
40+ Years of Experience
Cost-Effective
Fast & Clean Cuts
Room-Temperature Shearing
How Does Sheet Metal Shearing Work?
Shearing is performed by slicing through sheet metal with a blade-affixed machine or tool. Sheet metal is first secured between the tool’s or machine’s blades. Most shearing tools and machines have a squaring arm to control the location of the cut. After placing the sheet metal in the proper position with the squaring arm, the top blade drops to slice through the sheet metal. As the top blade comes down, the bottom of the sheet metal is pressed into a lower blade.
There are several types of shearing tools and machines including Guillotine Machines. It’s a more complex shearing machine that’s powered either mechanically or hydraulically. The blade allows guillotine machines to slice through sheet metal faster and more effectively than other shears.
Sheet Metal Cutting (Shearing)
The shearing process is performed on a shear machine, that can be operated manually (by hand or foot) or by hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric power. A typical shear machine includes a table with support arms to hold the sheet, stops or guides to secure the sheet, upper and lower straight-edge blades, and a gauging device to precisely position the sheet. The sheet is placed between the upper and lower blade, which are then forced together against the sheet, cutting the material. In most devices, the lower blade remains stationary while the upper blade is forced downward. The upper blade is slightly offset from the lower blade, approximately 5-10% of the sheet thickness. Also, the upper blade is usually angled so that the cut progresses from one end to the other, thus reducing the required force. The blades used in these machines typically have a square edge rather than a knife edge and are available in different materials, such as low alloy steel and high-carbon steel.
Trust Carolina Knife & Manufacturing With Your Sheet Metal Shearing Needs
We’ve been in the business of supplying machine and industrial blades for over 40+ years, providing quality services and products right here in the USA. If you’re looking for a sheet metal shearing solution, contact our shearing professionals today. We’ll be happy to provide you with all of the parts and services you require to be successful.