Shears are essential components of roll forming machines, responsible for cutting metal sheets or strips to the desired lengths and shapes. The type of shear used in a roll forming machine can affect the speed, precision, and versatility of the production process.
1. Pre-Cut Shears
- Function: Cut the metal coil to a preset length before it enters the roll forming process.
- Advantages: Pre-cutting allows for quick setup and less complexity in the roll forming line.
- Use Case: Typically used when precise part lengths are required, and the cutting needs to be done before forming begins.
2. Post-Cut Shears
- Function: Cut the metal sheet after the roll forming process has completed.
- Advantages: Allows continuous roll forming without the need to stop the machine for each cut, which improves production speed.
- Use Case: Ideal for high-speed production lines where cutting the final product after forming helps reduce downtime.
3. Hydraulic Shears
- Function: Use hydraulic power to apply force to cut metal sheets.
- Advantages: Offer more power and precision, making them suitable for cutting thicker materials or for applications requiring high cutting force.
- Use Case: Commonly used in heavy-duty applications where precision and strength are critical, such as in structural steel or automotive part production.
4. Flying Shears
- Function: Move along with the roll forming line and cut the metal on the fly, allowing continuous operation without stopping the line.
- Advantages: Maximizes production speed by cutting the metal while it’s still moving through the roll forming process.
- Use Case: Used in high-speed lines where production efficiency is critical, such as in roofing panel or metal siding manufacturing.
5. Rotary Shears
- Function: Use rotating blades to cut the material as it moves through the roll forming machine.
- Advantages: Offers continuous cutting without stopping the line, making it efficient for long production runs.
- Use Case: Ideal for operations that require fast and continuous cuts, such as producing metal panels for large-scale projects.
6. Servo Shears
- Function: Use a servo motor for precise control of the cutting process.
- Advantages: High precision, programmable, and capable of handling complex cutting patterns.
- Use Case: Commonly used in advanced roll forming machines where accuracy is crucial, such as in the aerospace or automotive industries.
7. Slitting Shears
- Function: Cut metal coils into narrower strips before they enter the roll forming process.
- Advantages: Provides versatility by allowing various widths of metal strips to be processed from a single coil.
- Use Case: Frequently used in roll forming lines that produce multiple profiles or parts from the same coil of material.
8. Guillotine Shears
- Function: Use a straight blade that moves vertically to cut the material.
- Advantages: Offer precise, straight cuts, making them ideal for applications requiring clean and accurate edges.
- Use Case: Commonly found in applications where precise rectangular or straight-edged parts are needed, such as in metal decking or siding.
Each type of shear provides different benefits depending on the production requirements, such as speed, material thickness, and part length. The right choice of shear depends on the specific application and the type of products being manufactured.
