New reciprocating saw blade technology

Lenox, a Stanley Black & Decker brand and specialist in power tool accessories, is introducing its new Wave Edge reciprocating saw blade technology, a new tooth form design delivering up to 50% longer blade life in select models.

“We are committed to developing innovative products and designs such as Wave Edge for customers who expect superior-performing tools and accessories,” says Matt Savarino, director of product management at Lenox. “After connecting with our customers, we created a product design that helps deliver a longer blade life for peak on-the-job performance.”

In addition to launching the new Wave Edge design, Lenox also introduced four new application-based reciprocating saw blade sub-brands: MetalWolf for making quick cuts through a range of metal types and gauges; MultiWolf for making quick, clean cuts in metal, wood and plastic; DemoWolf for rigorous demolition applications; and LumberWolf for cutting through dense wood with nails.

Lenox Wave Edge technology features across all models of MultiWolf and select MetalWolf and DemoWolf models. Additionally, Lenox Rapid Pling technology is being extended to select LumberWolf and DemoWolf reciprocating saw blades. Rapid Plunge allows users to plunge cut with ease and speed due to the unique design of the blade tips.

Lenox Wave Edge and Rapid Plunge products are now available in stores and online where Lenox products are sold.
For further information www.lenoxtools.com

Material handling solutions from Prosaw

When it comes to sawing, often the slowest part is actually loading and unloading the machine with stock lengths and cut pieces of material. With this thought in mind, Prosaw offers the following as a guide to selecting the optimal material handling solution, focusing on stillage arms, cross transfers and powered conveyors.

The addition of fabrication side stillage arms to an infeed conveyor will hold additional stock lengths to allow easy loading of a machine by its operator. From small sections through to large, heavy solid bars, introducing stillage arms means the machine can run for longer periods, avoiding the waiting time for a crane or forklift truck to load the machine.

A more powerful and automated solution is the cross transfer. This can be either of lift and carry configuration (lift the piece of material and carry it forward to the infeed conveyor) or the lower cost option of a drag system, which drags or pulls the material across nylon slide-ways and on to the conveyor.

The use of powered conveyors will take the hard work out of moving heavy material around the workshop. Conveyors designed and built by Prosaw use either tubular or, for heavier applications, solid rollers with bearing blocks. Heavy-duty chain and sprockets with variable speed motors provide easy positioning of material at the saw.

After sawing any material, often the bottleneck is the output side of the machine. One solution is again cross transfers, working in reverse as described previously. Another solution for round materials is a full-length pusher, which acts as a sweeper arm to roll the workpiece clear of the output conveyor. For rectangular and square material, an output table that tips or inclines by means of a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder works well.
For further information www.prosaw.co.uk

Turnkey solutions: the power of customisation

MEP Saws, which is represented in the UK by ADS Precision, has recently supplied a circular sawing machine to a Finland-based manufacturer of sterilisers and water purification equipment for the pharmaceutical industry. Among the challenging main raw materials used in condensers for steam generators are 14×1 AISI 316L tubes, with about 60 km of tubes used per year. These tubes must be straight, round, and scratch- and burr-free.

The customer already had a circular sawing machine to execute bundle cutting on this material. However, it was not precise and operators had to change the blades continuously to ensure cut quality.

To remedy the situation, the company opted for an MEP Tiger 352 Sx Evo semi-automatic circular sawing machine, which is suitable for steel cutting from -45° to +60° with blade rotation at four speeds. Taking into consideration the requirements of the customer’s sector, together with MEP’s local dealer, it was decided to offer the Tiger 372 Sx Evo, a higher performing version of the Tiger 352, and carry out cutting trials on the customer’s material to show the advantages.

Following tests carried out on a bundle of nine AISI 316L tubes with a diameter of 14 mm, the customer was impressed by the quality of the cutting surfaces and by one of the main machine features: the infinite variable saw blade speed through inverter (instead of the four fixed speeds of the Tiger 352 Sx Evo).

Regarding final customisation, the material loading roller conveyor was equipped with V-rollers covered in Teflon. Teflon clamping jaws were also supplied instead of traditional steel ones. Further customisation included a larger diameter steel circular blade flange and a change of material feeding direction from right to left.
For further information www.adsprecision.com

Bison Machinery sets out brand focus

UK-based Bison Machinery is providing an overview of one of its principals, Bianco Srl of Italy, a manufacturer of precision bandsaws since 1982. To date, Bianco has produced more than 150,000 machines, encompassing manual, semi-automatic and fully automatic horizontal bandsaws for general fabrication and engineering workshops.

Bianco’s range starts with the 280M pull-down model; this versatile machine has taken a large market share from traditional circular saws due to being quicker, quieter and better to use, reports Bison Machinery, which adds that the speed and accuracy of cut is exceptional.

The next most common models are the manual – or automatic down-feed – machines. Bison says that the 420 MS is another best-seller and features valve-controlled down-feed adjustment, along with a quick-release vice.

Semi-automatic models feature fully hydraulic cutting with sensitive adjustment of feed pressure and speed. This allows very fast cutting while still not being detrimental to blade life. Hydraulic vice clamping is also standard on these models.

Bison says that fully automatic models provide the ultimate in productivity, allowing the sawing of stock material to size without operator intervention. The automatic range includes powered double mitring models for ultimate flexibility, while loading systems are available for even more productivity.

Particular features of Bianco saws to note are the extremely robust bow – or saw frame – which the company produces as a high-strength aluminium casting and before machining it on CNC machining centres to provide extremely high accuracy. Carbide blade guides ensure the saw blade remains exactly square. The result is fast, accurate cutting of sections and solids.
For further information www.bisonmachinery.co.uk

6ix upgrades to machinery from Selmach

Somerset-based 6ix Process Design, a manufacture of stainless steel tanks, vessels and processing systems for the brewing and dairy industries, has recently acquired several machines from Selmach, including a Bianco 420 MS bandsaw, hydraulic plate rolls, a pillar drill and a tube notcher (linisher).

“Our previous machinery was tired and originates from when I initially set-up the business,” explains managing director Sam Cabell. “Now that we’ve got more investment it’s freed up finances, which meant we could invest in decent equipment to see us through to the next five or 10 years. Selmach came recommended to me by another company that I used to work with.”

He continues: “The plate rolls we had before didn’t have any of the hydraulic support or guidance, so we’ve turned rolling from a four-man operation into a one-man operation, which has saved a lot of hours in the workshop. Same with the bandsaw really; that operation is all automatic now whereas before it was a handheld process, which is a massive plus for us. Furthermore, the new pillar drill has improved how we can put together handrails and guide rails.”

Along with the machine, 6ix also values the aftercare and service available from Selmach.

“If I were to pick up the phone now I know that Selmach will respond, although we haven’t had any issues with the equipment,” says Mr Cabell. “The guys who came down to commission the machine were in and out within a couple of days. A great service. I would recommend machinery from Selmach. In fact, I already have!”
For further information www.selmach.com