Metal Cutting – Band Saw Blade Steel Strip
Cutting nonferrous metals can be challenging. These materials often exhibit abrasive characteristics that require special attention when sawing.
Choosing the right bandsaw blade, following proper machine setup guidelines, and implementing safe operating techniques are key to success. Learn how to troubleshoot common issues and maximize your blade’s performance and lifespan.
High-quality raw materials
The demands made of band saw blades are varied. They must withstand high cutting loads and also ensure a clean, smooth surface when sawing nonferrous metals or composite materials. This calls for the right primary materials and precise manufacturing. MEBA uses only carefully selected raw materials for its bands saws and back-up strips. This guarantees optimal and long service life of the saws.
For bi-metal band saws the saw strip is made from two different kinds of steel. The tooth tips are made from High Speed Steel which is welded to the body of an alloyed spring steel strip. After heat treatment the tip becomes extremely hard but the body still retains a high level of flexibility. This combination of materials guarantees the best mechanical properties for the tool – wear resistance and high cyclic bending resistance.
When cutting nonferrous materials, operators must also deal with other challenges such as band saw blade steel strip material abrasiveness, gummy characteristics or blade chip loading tendencies. These factors all have an effect on the cutting performance and a good, long product life of the saw band.
MEBA’s metallurgy experts adapt the chemistry of the backing strip to customer requirements and the specific sawing application. This is how the MEBA team can guarantee the highest possible performance and a maximum saw band lifetime. The optimum running-in procedure is another important factor to extend the service life of the saw band.
Precision welding
As the name suggests, band saw blades are used to cut metal. This requires them to be very tough and to withstand repeated shocks during use. The challenge is to achieve this without sacrificing the quality of the cut. This is why it is important to choose the right saw blade for your metal cutting application.
MEBA uses the highest-quality raw materials and advanced welding technologies to manufacture its metal band saws. The company regularly tests different types of band saws to ensure they meet the required standards. MEBA also offers its customers a quick delivery service through its own warehouse.
One of the keys to high-quality metal cutting is precise welding. MEBA uses a combination of welding processes to make the saws, including TIG and MIG. TIG welding produces an exceptionally clean weld zone and provides greater flexibility than conventional methods. MEBA also has a team of experienced technicians to ensure the highest level of accuracy in welding.
The bimetal strip used to make band saw blades is made from 2 metals – the tooth tips are made of high speed steel and the body of the blade is made of spring steel. The tooth tips are welded to the body with an extremely precise, right-angled weld seam. This results in a perfect strip shape with zero curving and zero warping.
Diffusion bonding
The steels used in the band saw blade are bonded together using solid-state diffusion bonding techniques, as opposed to brazing. The result is a stronger and more reliable blade that resists fractures and breakage. This process also eliminates Tinplate Steel Coil / Sheet a heat-affected zone, which can compromise the integrity of the strip.
A metal fabricator’s shop requires a variety of band saw blades to cut different types and sizes of materials and workpieces. This is why it’s important to choose the right blade for each job, one that satisfies all cutting requirements and applications while also ensuring optimal performance.
Whether you’re cutting I-beams or structural shapes, choosing the right blade is like assembling an extensive puzzle. You need the right tooth pitch, shape and rake to achieve the best results and keep your saw running smoothly.
MEBA’s proprietary bi-metal unique technology takes this approach to the next level by joining the hard alloy steel to the softer, fatigue-resistant carbon steel strip using solid-state diffusion bonding. The result is a multi-edge cutting feature that increases cutting speed and extends blade life. The grooved-tooth geometry creates dual chips that are easily removed from the cut and facilitates increased coolant flow, which reduces thermal stress and helps prevent gumming. This makes cutting even harder materials significantly easier, while also preventing fractures at the blade-backing material interface.
Perfect strip shape
Bimetal blades have a body made of alloy steel for flexibility and a fused or bonded layer of wear-resistant high-speed steel that comprises the teeth. The blade industry has developed innovative ways to join these two very different metal alloys, which have led to new options in tooth geometry and materials.
Achieving a high-quality cut is a complex puzzle, with the right tooth pitch, shape, rake angle, and material playing a key role. The type of metal used also makes a difference, as different metals are more or less conductive and require a higher or lower speed to cut.
In addition to a high quality raw material, the correct running-in procedure is also crucial for long band saw blade life and good cutting results. The correct procedure ensures that the blade is cooled at the same rate throughout the length of the strip and that the tension is consistent with the cutting process.
A proper run-in also minimizes the risk of work hardening and thereby increases the cutting speed, reduces the likelihood of damage to the blade and allows for a longer service life. In addition, it prevents the workpiece from slipping behind the blade. This is particularly important for cuts that involve curves, as a workpiece that moves quickly and erratically behind the blade can cause it to veer off the intended path and lead to an incomplete cut or even break the blade.
