Types of Workshop Machinery Which can Enhance Efficiency and Productivity

These days, a variety of workshop machines are readily available in the market. Following are the different types which can enhance efficiency and productivity. A shaping machine is an exceptional workshop unit that is generally applied to shape flat or straight metals made of steel, aluminum, or ferrous and non-ferrous metals; into different angular or curved shapes. The shaper moves precisely between the work piece and the single point cutting tool. The cutting motion is similar to a lathe; however it is linear instead of helical. Moreover, the cutter moves above the stationary object, instead of the object moving under the cutter. A shaper is smaller than a planer, and is widely used in numerous industries.

The bandsaw machine is another resourceful workshop unit which is utilized to cut long metal or wood pieces into a variety of straight, curved or irregular shapes. This workshop tool consists of a horizontal metal band that moves on a set of wheels; and a blade to accurately cut the required work piece. The two main types is horizontal bandsaw and the double column bandsaw. They are commonly in used woodworking, metalworking and for cutting several objects.

A versatile milling device is an efficient workshop unit that is utilized for shaping or cutting various solid metals. They can easily execute several complicated tasks; that include milling, cutting, drilling, routing, threading, carving, rebating, planing, diesinking, etc. This powerful tool is used to cut a variety of metals such as aluminum, steel, and many more. Milling equipments may be either horizontal or vertical. It has a horizontally facing spindle, while a vertical milling has a vertically inclined spindle. Manually operated milling, mechanically automated milling  and digitally programmable CNC milling; are extensively used in various industries.

The grinding machine is also known as a grinder. This very useful workshop device is typically used to grind an object into various shapes and sizes, with the help of an abrasive wheel. It accurately chips the rough surface of the work piece to produce finished objects with highly smooth surfaces. They are mainly categorized as manual grinding and hydraulic grinding. It basically involves a finishing operation that transforms objects with low surface roughness into objects with high surface smoothness.

The slotting machine is one more highly productive workshop tool that is widely utilized to cut or shape several materials; and to also create slots in a variety of objects made from wood, metal etc. It is also known as a slotter, and is broadly used for making vertical slots on the heads of metal and wooden screws, bolts, etc.

The hacksaw machine is also a highly effective workshop tool that is utilized to cut various materials made from wood, metal, plastic etc. It consists of a thin tooth saw with a blade that is held under tension in a frame. The thickness of the sharp blade depends on the material to be cut.

Things to Know Before Buying Sheet Metal Machinery

A sheet metal machine is used to cut, press, bend and form sheet metal into various shapes and sizes. These help to easily, quickly and effectively; perform a wide range of tasks, such as cutting, stamping, bending, perforating, ironing, spinning, deep drawing, roll forming, press brake forming, rolling, decambering, wheeling etc. metals are available in various gauges or thicknesses; and are used for manufacturing an extensive variety of metal products.

How to Buy Sheet Metal Machinery?

Nowadays, many companies in several industries utilize sheet metal. Following are the things to know before buying it. A broad array of used, as well as new is readily available in the market. Hence you should first decide whether you want to purchase a used or a new.

Fixing the Budget for Sheet Metal Machinery

There are several local shops as well as online stores that sell different types of tools. However, before visiting any of these shops or stores, you should plan your budget and consider your specific requirements. First of all decide your budget limits, as this is basically the amount that you will be spending for the sheet metal machine. After arriving at the final amount you should also consider whether it will be possible to go beyond that fixed budget amount; and what will be the maximum amount that you are willing to pay. Hence it is always advisable to set a budget limit before buying the machine.

Look for Specifications of Sheet Metal Machinery

Today lots of people prefer to buy an imported sheet metal unit through the internet, in order to view the broad range of available equipment; and also browse through the specifications of each model, and then select the most appropriate product as per their needs and budget. You can also easily get all the related information on the internet; including all the types of machines sold in the market and their price.

Where to Buy Sheet Metal Machinery?

After you have selected the website to buy these sheet metal machines, you should refer the contact details and confirm the availability of the particular model you plan to buy. It is also better to check the current price of the tool and delivery time. You must also inquire about the warranty period and after sales support for the product.

Further there are many online stores that sell used equipment. Hence you should ensure that they are in good working condition and available at reasonable rates. Some companies even sell cheap equipments that may not work properly. It is therefore better to buy good quality products at a relatively higher price, as they are more reliable, effective and long lasting.

In Conclusion

It also necessary to assess the reputation of the company that sells these sheet metal. The best way is to obtain the feedback of the existing users and then take the right decision. You may also take advice of the people having more knowledge and experience about these tools. Hence, it is worth spending your time to gather all the relevant information since buying a machine is a one time investment.

Mechanical Press Brake V/s. Hydraulic Press Brake – Which One is Better?

These days, various types of press brakes are available in the market, including mechanical and hydraulic. The main differences between a mechanical and a hydraulic is as follows.

Hydraulic press brakes are simple to use and versatile for punching and forming sheet metal components.  Even the tooling is easy for a hydraulic press and the material handling cost is also less. Stamping can also be done using economical tools on the same hydraulic press.

Mechanical presses use expensive dies and costly components, hence hydraulic presses are better. One more advantage of using a it is that they can be set up quickly, because they do not involve many other forming functions. It also reduces secondary forming operations such as moving the components to another machine. Hence, the hydraulic press is preferred since the tooling and set up time is less as compared to the mechanical press. Moreover, a hydraulic is a highly flexible punching, forming and stamping equipment. It can even punch and form in upwards as well as downwards directions. They also help to save manufacturing time of sheet metal parts.

The hydroforming operation is not possible on a mechanical press brake, because it does not have the speed control and cannot remain on the bottom for carrying out the high pressure forming operations. The slow speed of the hydraulic helps in the hydroforming process, in comparison with the mechanical. A hydraulic press brake provides dwelling and ram speed control which is not possible in mechanical. The hydraulic presses can be programmed to control the ram speed and ram position, whereas this facility is unavailable in mechanical presses.

Further, hydraulic press have exceptional speed, stroke and force; and have therefore increased the forming capacity of sheet metal industry. They can offer full force at any stroke position and also provide flexibility in the dies. The ram stroke can be easily adjusted from minimum to maximum position. Hence, a hydraulic press can have longer strokes to include different types of dies; and can be easily set for various operations. The major benefits of these hydraulic presses include the following.

They are multi-purpose machines, and are adaptable for diverse operations; deliver better force at any point of stroke; and are capable to function at various strokes on the same machine. The ram stroke can be simply adjusted throughout the length. Also the required speeds can be set and also easily reset at any position. It is possible to program and have total control over the ram stroke and position. A variety of operations can be performed at different pressures just by adjusting the command, pressure switch settings, or pressure control valve of the machine.

Ultimately, hydraulic press brakes deliver precise and high quality products. Hence, compared to mechanical press brakes, the hydraulic are much better. Therefore a wide range of operations are now done using hydraulic presses in various industries throughout the world.

The Most Important Machine Tools Required in Any Workshop

The most important tools required in any workshop, nowadays are described below.

Milling Machines

The milling machine is used for milling, cutting, shaping, carving, planing, contouring, drilling, stamping, and die-sinking a variety of solid materials. The work piece is positioned, to cut and shape the metal object on its tip, and from all the sides. There are two kinds of milling tools; depending on the direction of the main spindle; namely the vertical milling and the horizontal milling. They are further classified as manually operated milling, mechanically automated milling and electronically controlled CNC milling. Milling machines are designed to perform simple and complex machining operations.

Uses of Grinding Machine

The grinding machine is utilized for grinding a metal workpiece into required shapes and sizes; with the help of an abrasive wheel. The abrasive wheel perfectly chips the rough metal surfaces into smooth metal objects. Grinding is basically a finishing process that produces workpieces with minimum surface roughness and maximum surface smoothness. Normally grinders remove very less metal; however some grinding operations involve rapid removal of large quantities of metal. Both manual grinding and hydraulic grinding deliver highly precise workpieces.

Applications of Shaping Machine

A shaping machine is used to cut small or large work pieces made from wood, steel, aluminum, ferrous and non-ferrous metals etc. into various shapes, angles, and curves. This shaper is smaller than a planer, and has a cutting movement like a lathe. The single point cutter has a linear motion and usually moves over the stationary work piece, instead of the work piece moving under the cutter. Both conventional and modern metal shaping tools are widely utilized to quickly and easily shape flat and straight metal surfaces.

Slotting Machine

A slotting machine is another essential tool that is widely used for shaping or cutting a variety of wooden and metal objects. It is also known as a slotter or a vertical shaper. They are commonly utilized for making slots on the heads of metal screws and bolts, wooden screws, etc.

Bandsaw Machine

The bandsaw machine is utilized for cutting long pieces of wood or metal into a variety of odd or curved shapes. It consists of a long horizontal metal band and a blade with sharp teeth on one side to cut the work piece. The band moves on two wheels that rotate in the same plane, in order to precisely cut different types of objects. These are mostly used for woodworking, metalworking; and for cutting different materials into straight, asymmetrical and curved shapes. The horizontal bandsaw and the double column bandsaw are the two kinds of bandsaws.

Hacksaw Machine

A hacksaw machine is also a vital tool that is used for cutting wood, metal, plastic and numerous other materials. It has a fine-tooth saw with a blade that is held under tension by a screw or other mechanism. The blade is made from high grade steel and its thickness depends on the material to be cut. Some hacksaw also have a coolant pump to avoid the saw blade from overheating.