SHEARS YODER MACHINERY SALES
1500 Holloway Rd, PO Box 100, Holland, OH 43528 USA Toll Free 1-800-MACHINE (622-4463) Phone 1-419-865-5555 • Fax 1-419-865-5557 www.YoderMachinery.com Ryan@YoderMachinery.com
To shear: To cut By Ryan Yoder
A metal shear is the simplest of metalworking equipment, designed for the main purpose of cutting a shape in to smaller pieces. While there are many, many types of metal shears, this article will highlight the basics of metal shear design. Often referred to as a guillotine, squaring shear, or powered shear, this machine uses force to move one blade toward a stationary second blade. The energy or force for this action can be supplied manually, pneumatically, electrically, mechanically, or hydraulically. Most shapes, including coiled sheet metal, flat plate steel, angle iron, round bar, square bar, and I beam, can all be sheared using this process, through different types of shear blades. In each case a clamping device is required to hold the material while it is being sheared. It is important that the material not move while being cut under stress. Again, there are several practical forces to provide the clamping energy based on the shear’s application and design. A shear’s length and thickness capacity, in conjunction with the profile to be cut, determine the design of the machine. This design incorporates some key aspects, include the shear angle and rake angle. The shear angle is the angle of the moving blade to the stationary blade and is often in a fixed position. The rake angle is most similar to the design of the common hand-held scissors and is often adjustable. Shears use a progressively cut to move the blade through the material from one side to the other. Again, the length, thickness, and profile of the material determine what rake angle is most effective. The final basic aspect of a metal shear is the length gauging. Most common in the rear of a shear, but sometimes used in the front or a combination of both, the length gauge is used to measure the material to confirm cutting accuracy. This gauging system also ensures repeatability in the shearing operation as well as providing a variable for setting up different cut lengths. Most gauging systems are built in to a machine’s controls. Good luck shearing!! About the Author: Ryan Yoder is the Vice President of Yoder Machinery Sales, 3rd generation, since 1957. 4000+ machines in stock, including well over 100 shears. Ryan, VP, here for more than 15 years! 12
July 2018
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10' X 1/4" CINCINNATI MECHANICAL SQUARING SHEAR
8' X 10 GAUGE ALLSTEEL HYDRAULIC SQUARING SHEAR
5" X 5" X 1/2" WHITNEY ANGLE SHEAR
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July 2018
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July 2018
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