Basics of Hydraulic Shears

Shearing is the process of applying a high pressure tool through a metal plate and removing a part of the metal. Examples of shear machining are punching machines, like those that make small discs, and blanking machines, that make washers and other small items.

Shear machining is different from the direct tool ordinary machining. In the ordinary tool machining, a single or multiple point tool is used to remove the cut metal from the metal sheet or block. The tool comes in contact with the metal repeatedly until required dimensions are obtained. With the shear machining, the cutting edge of the tool is used to remove the metal from the plate. Maximum pressure is applied to this tool as it tears off the metal from the plate. The tool comes in contact with the metal plate only once.

Shear machining can be carried out by hydraulic or mechanical machines. If you want to quickly and accurately cut and score sheets of metal, hydraulic shears are used. They are suitable for the factories that have high volumes of metal fabricating operations. Hydraulic shears are favored in manufacturing operations where there is a requirement of high intensity of pressure. They are quick, quite, capable of operating continuously, and need very less maintenance. For producing the same amounts of pressure, the space required by the hydraulic shear machines is lesser than the mechanical shear machines.

The metal to be cut is inserted into the hydraulic machines and held tightly by the clamps so that its position does not shift when high pressure is applied to it. For the jobs that require a 90o cut, it is necessary to employ a squaring arm or back gauge to ensure that a smooth and even cut is obtained. If any minute burrs are formed by the edge of the blade, they can be removed by grinding. If you are using hydraulic shears, you should also be aware of the small marks left by the cutting blades and holding clamps on the job, and you should take measures to remove them or compensate for them.

Hydraulic shear machines of various models are available from a number of manufacturers accommodating a wide range of metal plate sizes. Metal cuts of different sizes can be applied and, in many instances, the metals can be reused. The looks of the present day hydraulic shears are not as you would expect of the typical shearing machines. They are elegantly enclosed inside large stand alone units and operate quietly.

Inside the machines are multiple sets of sharp blades used to cut the metal into various shapes and sizes as per the specifications. For the onlookers it is hard to believe that, inside that beautiful looking compartment, extremely high pressures are generated to cut the metal. The present day hydraulic shears are usually designed for over-floor installation, thus they can be moved to any place within the production line as per the requirements.

Although all the shearing components of the hydraulic shear machines are located inside the machines, one should be very careful while operating them. To prevent the off-cuts and maximize the efficiency of the machine, the blades should be kept sharp. It is vital to keep all the moving parts lubricated and clean. To avoid damaging the machine, it is important to maintain the correct levels of hydraulic fluid.

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