Maintenance tips that extend cold saw life

Cold saws are known for their precision, durability and ability to produce clean, burr-free cuts in a variety of metals. However, like all industrial equipment, they require consistent maintenance to stay in top condition. Whether running a small fabrication shop or a large production facility, proper maintenance of cold-cut saws will not only extend their lifespan but also ensure continued performance, safety, and cost efficiency. Dimakin offers the following guide to maintaining cold saws.

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to maintain a cold saw is regular cleaning. After every shift, remove chips and debris from the working area, base and blade guards, and clean the vice jaws and clamping surfaces to ensure accurate cuts. Dimakin says its cold-cut saws are designed with easy-to-access cleaning points and robust enclosures to help keep debris away from sensitive components.

Secondly: sharp tools equal smooth cuts. The blade is the heart of a cold saw. Using a dull or damaged blade can result in rough cuts, overheating and excess wear on the motor and bearings. Inspect the blade daily for signs of dullness, chipping or warping, and replace or sharpen blades before they cause undue stress on the machine. Dimakin’s range of cold saws supports a wide range of blade diameters and materials, while inverter-driven models allow for optimal blade speed settings, reducing wear and tear over time.

Naturally, proper lubrication is vital as it minimises friction and keeps machines running smoothly. Lubricate the gearbox, spindle and pivot points as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Further tips include the inspection of electrical components and safety features, the tightening of bolts and checking of alignments, and the scheduling of preventive maintenance.

More information www.dimakin.co.uk

Kaltenbach opens new production facility

With a symbolic cut that reflects the company’s core business, the new production facility of Kaltenbach Cutting Systems GmbH (KCS) was officially inaugurated recently. Instead of the traditional ribbon-cutting, a circular saw – manufactured in-house – cut through a metal bar, activated at the push of a button by Lörrach’s Mayor, Jörg Lutz. Afterwards, the company invited all employees to a convivial gathering with drinks. 

Kaltenbach Cutting Systems was founded in October 2023 following a carve-out from Kaltenbach GmbH + Co KG. The new plant in Lörrach employs around 50 people and produces semi- and fully automatic universal saws, drilling systems, length measuring and transport equipment – all made in Germany. Furthermore, the company says its comprehensive overhaul of used machines sets new standards in sustainability. They not only look like new but are also ready for another several decades of operation. 

The new production facility is a flagship project within the Kaltenbach Group. The specially developed, compact manufacturing concept is based on the latest lean principles and sets the benchmark for future plants within the group. 

“Due to strong order volumes, we went straight into production,” reports managing director Rene Eger. “The implementation of our lean manufacturing approach is working exceptionally well: shorter paths, faster production times and a significantly better overview of ongoing projects.”

In his speech, Mayor Jörg Lutz acknowledged the importance of Kaltenbach as a long-standing company rooted in Lörrach, before adding: “The founding and development of Kaltenbach Cutting Systems GmbH is a strong sign of innovation and future-oriented thinking in our region.” 

More information www.kaltenbach.com

DoALL appoints Craig Freking as president

DoALL Sawing Products has named Craig Freking as its new president following the retirement of Kurt Plechaty after many years of dedicated service. The move marks a new chapter for DoALL, with Freking’s leadership ushering the company into its next phase of growth and innovation.

Freking joined DoALL Sawing Products in 2023 as operations manager, quickly showcasing his leadership capabilities and strategic vision. His efforts and impact were so notable that, in the autumn of 2024, Freking was promoted to director of operations. His forward-thinking approach and ability to inspire teams made him a natural choice for the role of president, where he will continue to guide DoALL toward even greater success.

Plechaty’s leadership over the years was pivotal in shaping the success and future of DoALL Sawing Products. His tenure as president saw significant advancements in operational processes, product diversification and global market positioning. Plechaty’s commitment to continuous improvement and his engineering expertise helped establish DoALL as a major player in the sawing industry.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with a talented and dedicated team during my time at DoALL,” he says. “I’m proud of the strides we’ve made in growing the company, and I have full confidence that Craig and the team will continue to build on our successes. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for DoALL.”

Adds Freking: “I’m incredibly honoured to step into this role. We have a fantastic team, and I look forward to continuing the work Kurt started. Together, we will build on our legacy of providing high-quality sawing solutions to our customers and driving the success of DoALL in the years ahead.”

More information www.doallsaws.com

Smart automation: Sawing and stacking tubes

Neumeister Hydraulik has modernised its sawing centre and now relies on a fully automatic system from Behringer. Thanks to the new system, cylindrical tubes can now be sawn fully automatically with sections stacked automatically in pallet cages – an important step towards efficiency and future-proofing.

Neumeister Hydraulik was founded in 1929 by Otto Neumeister in Neuenstadt am Kocher, where it today employs around 300 people. The company specialises in the development and manufacture of hydraulic cylinders for lifting heavy loads. It produces around 100,000 hydraulic cylinders per year for a wide range of applications. For cylinder production, mainly round tubes with outer diameters of 50 to 250 mm are sawn. The tube sections usually have a length of 1 to 1.2 m. In addition, many short sections with a length of around 20 mm are required for the production of flanges.

Neumeister opted for a modern chain magazine that enables entire bundles to be efficiently loaded and easily separated, reducing crane movements and simplifying operation. In addition, the magazine has a remnant storage system to divert long remnants back to the infeed side and store them again. The entire material handling process is fully automated.

At the heart of the new sawing centre is the Behringer HBM440A-PC-E bandsaw with a cutting range of 440 mm. Thanks to the PC control system, it is designed for fully automatic operation and is easy to use. The SpeedCutting technology of the HBM440A, in combination with dynamic process control for pipes,  increases system throughput. The machine continuously adjusts the saw feed to the material cross-section and thus ensures optimum utilisation of the tool.

More information www.behringer.net

Avent Extrusion Steels opts for Gentiger saws

Avent Extrusion Steels & AVA Special Steels has invested in two new high-performance Gentiger bandsaws supplied by Prosaw. James Avent, director at Avent Extrusion Steels, says: “We can confidently say it’s the best investment we’ve ever made in our sawing capacity.”

Avent has used bandsaws for nearly 25 years since its inception, and the company has seen a wide range of machines come and go.

“The Gentigers have truly raised the bar,” sates Avent. “These saws have increased our cutting capacity by almost 20% in terms of size and, when paired with carbide-tipped blades, they cut up to five times faster than the machines they replaced.”

He continues: “This exceptional performance has enabled us to reduce our bandsaw count from seven machines down to five, without compromising output – in fact, quite the opposite. The Gentigers easily handle the workload of the previous four saws they replaced and still have more to give. Such a reduction not only streamlines our operations but also leads to significant energy savings, a vital factor given today’s energy costs and the growing emphasis on sustainability.”

Another stand-out attribute of the saws is their ability to cut tough materials while still delivering smooth surface finish and extremely flat cuts.

“We’re now able to saw material down to near-net sizes, which means less secondary machining and reduced waste. Combined with their ability to achieve remnant lengths as small as 7 mm, these bandsaws have brought a massive improvement to our material efficiency.”

In addition, the Gentigers feature energy monitoring capabilities, allowing Avent to track and record electricity consumption.

More information www.prosaw.co.uk