On the pulse

Birkett Cutmaster has launched two new pulse cutting bandsaws – thus extending its range of metal cutting bandsaws to four.

The new Amada PCSAW430AX and PCSAW530AX, single pulse bandsaws complement the existing PCSAW330 and double pulse cutting PCSAW700, offering the user a wider choice of machines when selecting optimum cutting capacities.

The first single pulse cutting PCSAW330 machines – which Cutmaster recently sold to Gloucestershire-based Intoco and the Halesowen distribution centre of Sandvik Materials Technology UK, are already providing a number of cost-saving user benefits through their ability to control inherent vibrations produced by the bandsaw blade.

By reducing tooth tip vibrations, the pulse cutting action of the machines is said to reduce tooth chipping and cutting resistance, extend blade life and improve the quality of cut when compared to more conventional bandsaws. Through the reduction of chatter oscillations, noise levels are kept to a minimum, even when cutting large diameter hard steel bars.

At Intoco, the PCSAW330 has provided extended blade life when using Amada Smartcut bi-metal blades, which are 0.5mm thinner than standard M42 blades. The pulse cutting action of the saw also reduces kerf loss and material wastage, particularly when cutting high value metals, helping to reduce and control production costs.

The full range of pulse cutting bandsaws provides a fast, accurate cut, with a high quality finish throughout the cutting cycle. In operation, the pulse cutting action of the PCSAW is provided by a high output servomotor, which ensures constant blade speed control of the longitudinal force and eliminates vibration in the cutting area.

In effect – for the first pulse – the servo drive wheel sends a vibration to cancel out the frictional vibration of the blade. The second pulse enhances penetration force by sending vibration dampening pulses to the blade. The mechanically induced pulses are created by a precise set of multi-lobe cams mounted above the blade, spinning at a predetermined rate to strike the blade at exactly the same time – thus producing successive pulses that assure proper damping.

The successive pulses reduce cutting resistance and tooth chipping, enabling increased blade life and improved surface finishes.

Birkett Cutmaster
www.birkett-cutmaster.co.uk