TPT September 2017

AR T I C L E

Advanced Machine & Engineering/AMSAW

How can you tell if you experience torsional vibrations with your saw? Just take a look at the chips and the cut surface.

The chips are evenly spiral curved with a clean surface. The cut surface is smooth showing no vibration pattern. The sound of the saw blade and gearbox measured with a sound level meter is smooth, indicating no vibration.

A blade subject to torsional vibration will produce wrinkled, unevenly curled chips. The surface of the chips and the cut surface are rough and show the vibration pattern. The noise of the blade and the gearbox sounds rumbling: this is caused by the wind-up and relaxation of the gear train. This fluctuation of the torque creates an uneven chip thickness and in consequence reduces the tool life. This forces the operator to slow down the machine, and reduces the output. Furthermore, the uneven surface requires more stock for finishing operations and increases material waste. Instruments such a strobes and accelerometers allow us to pinpoint where trouble occurs inside the gearbox. This helps especially for troubleshooting when a gearbox gets worn or an accident has damaged gears or bearings.

Advanced Machine & Engineering 2,500 Latham Street

Rockford, IL 61103, USA Website: www.amsaw.com

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SEPTEMBER 2017