Safety First (glasses, hair is pulled back, jewelry is away)
Clamp down pieces, turn wheel on the side to tighten
Lower bandsaw to your piece so the saw hovers right above where you want to cut. Adjust the clamping position if needed. Make sure the blade is on the side of the line that you are not keeping.
Turn on the saw.
Release the pneumatic stop and adjust the speed of the decent with the speed adjust nob.
Allow the saw to cut slowly through the full part.
Let the machine turn off by itself and come to a compete stop.
Unclamp and remove the piece.
In this section you will learn the basics of using a bandsaw by cutting an L and an aluminum hexagon. A horizontal bandsaw is a cutting machine designed to efficiently and precisely slice through materials like metals, plastics, and sometimes wood. It's commonly used in manufacturing, fabrication shops, and various industries, including robotics, to cut large stock materials into manageable sizes.
Blade: In a horizontal bandsaw, the cutting blade is mounted horizontally, and the workpiece is fed into the machine, usually from one side. The blade is a continuous loop that runs over two wheels. As the blade moves, it cuts through the material, which is held securely in place on the machine's bed.
Cutting Capacity: Horizontal bandsaws come in different sizes, with cutting capacities varying based on the machine's design. Larger models can handle thick metal stock or large workpieces, while smaller models are ideal for cutting thinner materials or intricate cuts on smaller parts, which might be relevant in robotics applications.
Adjustable Blade Speed: Many horizontal bandsaws feature variable speed controls, allowing users to adjust the blade speed depending on the material being cut. Slower speeds are often used for cutting harder materials like metal, while faster speeds may be appropriate for softer materials like plastics or wood.
Material Clamping: The workpiece is typically clamped down on a bed or table with a vise or clamping system to prevent movement during the cut. This ensures accuracy and safety while cutting.
Angle Cutting: Some horizontal bandsaws have an adjustable head, allowing the machine to make angled cuts (often referred to as "miter cuts") in addition to straight cuts. This feature can be useful for making components with specific angles needed for robot frames or mechanisms.
Coolant System: Horizontal bandsaws designed for cutting metals often come equipped with a coolant system. The coolant helps reduce heat buildup during cutting, which can prolong the life of the blade and improve the quality of the cut, especially when cutting materials like steel or aluminum
In this video, we explain how to cut a standard object with the horizontal bandsaw, and review the components
In this video, we explain how to cut an 'L' shaped object with the horizontal bandsaw.
In this video, we explain how to cut a hex bar with a horizontal bandsaw.
Flat side down, gravity will want to make a messy cut!
DO THIS