TPT January 2018

AR T I C L E

Advanced Machine & Engineering/AMSAW

Method 2 – backlash reduction with tapered tooth gears (Metalcut) A similar backlash reduction is accomplished by grinding the helical gear teeth with a small taper. By shifting the pinion axially against the solid spindle gear, the backlash can also be reduced. The axial position of the pinion is accomplished with two bearing spacers and a locknut, locking the bearing against the gear shoulder.

Method 4 – automatic brake (AMSAW) AME developed a hydraulically operated brake for its AMSAW 350P carbide saw. The brake functions automatically and engages only at the beginning and ending of the cut, not during the entire saw cycle. The blade is therefore not overheated and more brake pressure can be applied to eliminate the complete backlash. The brake pads touch the blade body on different areas and therefore distribute the heat over a large area. A compressed air stream cools the pad and brake housing, and when released blows against the blade body. Its cooling is more effective because decompressed air is colder.

Figure 2: Backlash elimination by shifting the pinion with slightly tapered helical teeth against the tapered helical teeth of the spindle gear (used on the Metalcut 14)

Figure 4: Two sets of automatic adjustable blade brakes for AMSAW 350P carbide saw

Method 3 – using a brake on the blade (Wagner) Wagner used such a device (figure 3) to eliminate backlash by using a manual adjustable brake (similar to a disc brake on a car wheel). Because of the manual adjustment, the brake had to act on the blade during the complete cutting cycle and could not be set tight enough to eliminate all the backlash, because it overheated the blade body.

Conclusion The damaging force of vibration must be reduced to extend carbide saw blade life and lower the cost of production metal sawing. • Innovation in carbide saw design is focused on adding components that reduce backlash and vibration. • Carbide saw builders will continue to focus R&D efforts on the development of more effective methods for eliminating gear train backlash and reducing compliance. • The company that can prove the best tool life and can offer the most cost-efficient machines will deliver the most value to the production sawing market.

Advanced Machine & Engineering – USA Email: info@ame.com Website: www.ame.com

Figure 3: Wagner blade brake to eliminate backlash

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JANUARY 2018