Bandsaw Setting & Maintenance

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A bandsaw requires maintenance, just like a car. If not maintained properly, the saw can break down and will not give you the kind of performance you had when you first purchased it.

Preventive checks and procedures can ensure you achieve cost effectiveness, increase productivity and achieved prolonged blade life using your saw.

A well-maintained bandsaw also helps making efficient and quality cuts, and increases the safety of your saw operators.

For a bandsaw to cut accurately and efficiently, it should be set up correctly. Below we have identified key areas that should be checked/procedures to be carried out to ensure that your saw is operating at its best. More so, to eliminate problems such as tooth breakage, crooked cutting and premature tooth wear.

Remember, this includes making sure that before cutting:

  • The blade type and width are suitable for the material to be cut and the blade thickness is suitable for the band wheel
  • The blade teeth are sharp and properly set
  • The blade is correctly tensioned and tracked

Swarf Brush

swarf brush

Items checked/procedure

Check the condition of the chip brush. Replace when needed

 

Problems caused

Tooth breakage

Rough cutting

Premature wear of tooth

Blade Tension

Items checked/procedure

Measure tension with a tension meter and record measurement. The correct tension for both carbide and bi metal blades should be between 250 en 330 N/mm2, depending on the size of the blade and machine type

 

Problems caused

Blade breakage

Crooked cutting

Vibration and slippage between the band and the wheel

Blade Speed

blade speed

Items checked/procedure

Verify operation of band speed controls and speed indicators

 

Problems caused

Tooth damage

Crooked cutting

Premature tooth wear

Machine Feed

saw machine feed

Items checked/procedure

Downfeed is measured in mm/min

If the machine does not have a reading, you can measure it yourself. See how far the head drops in 1 minute. It is useful to put a magnet on the column and measure there.

Coolant Flow

coolant spray bandsaw

Items checked/procedure

Verify coolant flow from all hoses and ports. Check coolant concentration with a refractometer. We recommend a 7% for bi-metal, 10% carbide concentration minimum.

 

Problems caused

Premature tooth wear

Tooth breakage

Crooked Cutting

Blade Guides

Items checked/procedure

Disassemble guides, check for cracks and/or chips. Carbide guide surface should be higher than surface of the steel holder. Look for excessive wear on the corners of the carbides.

Bearing type guides should be checked for looseness between the centre shaft or post and outer bearing surface. Make sure the bearings turn freely.

 

Problems caused

Band breakage

Crooked cuts

Blade vibration

Tight roller guides will pull the blade off the idler wheel. Blade should sleep freely between guide rollers

Wheel Bearings

Items checked/procedure

Inspect for flat spots on the wheel surfaces

Rock wheels side to side for bearing play

 

Problems caused

Band breakage

Blade slip

Stock Feed & Clamping System

Items checked/procedure

Verify correct sequence of stock feed system making sure blade is clear of stock during auto feed cycle

 

Problems caused

Blade breakage and or

Tooth damage

 

Items checked/procedure

Verify condition and operation of saw clamp and feed clamp, list problems found

 

Problems caused

Tooth damage

Crooked cutting

Blade breakage

Drive Mechanism

Items checked/procedure

Check condition of all drive belts

List all fluid leaks in drive gearbox

Report all unusual gear of bearing sounds

Check for smooth running of all parts

 

Problems caused

Tooth damage

Crooked cutting

Lubrication (Nipples)

Items checked/procedure

Check lubrication. These need to be filled with lube oil

 

Problems caused

Erratic operation of saw arm, bridge, guides or other parts of the sawing machine that needs to be lubricated.

Hydraulic Fluid Levels

Items checked/procedure

Check hydraulic fluid level

Check oil level in all air oilers

Check gearbox oil level

 

Problems caused

Erratic operation of saw arm

Wrong blade tension

Erratic blade speed control