| (Q) Why is a guillotine
drive system better than a swingbeam drive system? |
| |
In today’s shear
market place there are many type’s of machines to
choose from, but the main two drive systems are the guillotine
and the swingbeam. The true guillotine drive system, like
that of our model AS and CS shears, has been the proven
design of quality U.S. shear manufacturers for the better
part of a century. No other design comes close to the
precision provided by a guillotine drive. |
4 crucial factors to provide the most
precise cut:
(# 1) Strength of the drive system
(# 2) Strength of the frame
(# 3) The angle of the upper blade to the work piece throughout
cut
(# 4) A heavy-duty high tonnage hold-down system to hold
the work piece.
|
| |
 |
The most important factor in providing
a precision cut, is the manner in which the upper blade
cuts through material from beginning to the end of the
cut. A Standard Industrial guillotine drive system insures
that the upper blade comes down in a straight line because
the linkage is driven from directly above the work piece.
From the beginning of the cut all the way to the end of
the cut, the relationship of the upper blade to the material
never changes. |
| Swingbeam
|
 |
In direct opposition to this, a swingbeam
pivots from the side of the end frames and brings the
ram down in an arc or a “swing” (like a welding
helmet coming down over your face). This causes the relationship
of the top blade to the work piece to change throughout
the entire cut. Because the blade comes down in an arc,
the cut is distorted from the beginning all the way through
the cut. |
