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About 16mm thickness plate shear

Types of 16mm thickness plate shear

Industrial plate shears are available in a variety of types, and each is engineered for improved cutting accuracy based on different thicknesses. The following are the commonly used types of 16 mm plate shears, taking into consideration the frequency of cutting and material type.

Hydraulic Plate Shear

A hydraulic shear is operated by pressurized fluid that generates the required cutting force. Hydraulic plate shears are suitable for high-efficacy production where they can deliver smooth cuts on thicker plates. They are well suited to 16-mm plates due to their strength and ability to handle larger dimensions.

Mechanical Plate Shear

Mechanical shears use energy stored in a flywheel to perform the shearing operation. These shears are ideal for lighter cutting jobs. A mechanical shear can be effective for cutting 16-mm plates, although it is best suited for lighter cuts.

Guillotine Shear

Named after the guillotine's cutting action, the guillotine shear provides a straight cut along the length of the blade. This shear is preferable when dealing with larger sheets and plates. The guillotine-style blade's design reduces distortion and accommodates 16-mm thickness, making this type of shear ideal for metal fabricators dealing with larger plate stocks.

Numerical Control (NC) Plate Shear

Numerically controlled plate shears provide additional flexibility in cutting shapes and dimensions. These machines allow complex operations with fewer errors. If 16-mm plates require large, precise parts, NC shears cut down on fabricating time and increase accuracy compared with manual shears.

Industrial applications of 16mm thickness plate shear

Heavy duty shears that can handle the 16-mm plate thickness are applied in industries where large metal sheets are commonly cut. Here are a few industries that frequently apply an industrial shear for practical production.

Aerospace Industry

Aerospace engineering requires high-quality metals. Most parts are made from cut plates that meet stringent standards. Hydraulic shears smoothly cut thick steel plates that are lightweight and high strength, used to make part linings and fuselage.

Automobile Industry

Automakers use large amounts of thick metal plates to produce structural and body components. A 16-mm plate can be sheared into parts like reinforcements, chassis inner and outer panels using mechanical shears, which deliver fast production for limited work.

Marine Industry

Boats and ships are constructed with thick metal plates that provide strength and buoyancy. Shears smoothly cut steel plates into hulls and structures typical in 16-mm thickness, which can be efficiently cut by hydraulic and guillotine shears for precision.

Energy Sector

The power sector, including oil and gas & renewable energy plants, uses large, thick metal plates for pipelines, tanks and structures. Hydraulic shears can handle heavy cuts of 16 mm aluminium plate and stainless steel sheet, which impact shear quality and quantity in excavating critical resources.

Heavy Machinery

Construction and mining equipment manufacturers require thick plates to produce booms, buckets, and blades. Mechanical shears are applied to cut 16-mm plates into these components for their effectiveness in high-rotation mechanical shears to produce subparts with optimum accuracy.

Product specifications and features of 16mm thickness plate shear

Technical specifications/key features

In a simplified way, key features of 16-mm shears and certain specifications one should pay attention to when looking for a plate shear to cut a 16-mm plate are as follows:

  • Blade Material: Premium high-carbon steel or alloy steel for shears for strength and edge retention.
  • Cutting Edges: Blades with a 1 - 2° shear angle reduce the force needed to make the cut, while a rectangular blade minimizes distortion.
  • Cutting Capacity: The shear must easily cut through the 16-mm thickness of any material - carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel or aluminium.
  • Hydraulic System: Ensure all hydraulic parts are designed as a closed and leak-free system. Proper hydraulic fluid selection is vital in a high-viscosity fluid pressure vault that resists fluid compressibility.
  • Motor Power: Higher motor power gives larger shears greater cutting capacity and must be blunt monitored if thicker plates are to be sheared.
  • Frame: Extremely rigid frames made from high-grade weld typically support high pressure, while lighter frames can deform under heavy cuts.
  • Worktable: Worktables with plate holders, rollers and stops keep the workpiece in position during shearing - one should ensure the table is equipped with these features.
  • Cutting Precision: Plate shears with precision cutting (±1 mm) are more applicable in engineering and aircraft metals.

How to install

The shear machine is used for metal works; after unboxing, the user should read through the manual for parts identification and instructions. The hydraulic shears, especially the guillotine shear working mechanism, are complex compared to manual shears and require users to consult the user manual or hire a professional for installation. The key steps involve.

  • Secure Mounting: The plate shear's main components, such as the hydraulic or motor-driven blades, should be securely mounted on the base or on work benches.
  • Fluid Check: After assembling, a shear needs to be checked after daily runs to see if the fuel or fluid levels are low.
  • Electrical Power: Motor-driven shears must be plugged into a power source, and hydraulic shears, which operate on hydraulics, should be connected to a motor-operated air compressor.
  • Testing: While testing, operators should rotate the moving parts manually to check that there is no friction between the parts.

How to use

The user must undergo training because of the sharp blades and powerful hydraulics/motors, and safety measures such as guards, emergency buttons and stopping are important. Some steps involve.

  • Examine Hydraulic Fluid: Fluid examinations should be easy for the users every time they want to work. The user manual should be consulted on fluid refilling procedures.
  • Power On: The motor-driven shears require the motor to be started before cutting, while hydraulic shears need a pressure build-up.
  • Workpiece Positioning: The position of the workpiece affects the shear cut. Users should position and secure workpieces flat and tight.
  • Blade Alignment: For accurate cuts, the user should align the blades close to each other yet far from touching.
  • Cutting Force Application: After aligning the blades, users should gradually apply cutting force until the blades meet the workpiece.

Maintenance and repair

Blade should be changed weekly; other components should be cleaned weekly and inspected monthly. Heavy shears should be sheared and stored in a cool, dry place to avoid decaying. Users should frequently examine some parts of the shear, such as the blade, for wear and tear. Some maintenance tips include.

  • Daily Inspection: Daily inspection helps realize minor issues before major ones occur. Hydraulic fluid leaks, low levels and worn blades are checked daily.
  • Lubrication: Parts like hinges and pistons experience much friction and need lubrication. Users should refer to the user manual for maintenance schedules, lubrication types and lifetimes.
  • Clean Work Area: The area around the shear should be cleaned as sharp shears and other work tools can cause accidents. Clean around the shear daily.
  • Blade Sharpening: Sharpening blades improves cutting and should be done frequently based on usage.
  • Professional Servicing: Professional servicing helps analyze problems that less experienced users might miss. The user should check and service the shear every 6 months.

Quality and safety considerations of 16mm thickness plate shear

Suitably chosen blades and shear types ensure effective cutting of 16-mm plates. For an industrial plate shear to be injury-free and last long, some quality and safety considerations are observed.

Quality blades. The shear should feature premium-quality blades made from carbon steel or alloy steel, ideally with heat-treated edges to cut thick plates.

Strong frame. The shear machine frame should be strong to handle shear forces without bending or distorting, commonly experienced when cutting thicker plates.

Shear angles. Blades with a lower shear-angle feature require less force to cut, and less effort is used when shearing thicker plates. A blade with a thicker tip is designed for straight cuts rather than angled cuts.

Regular checks. Internal workings of hydraulic shears are complex; manual shears are less complex, and locking systems are less complex. Users are advised to frequently check the level and quality of hydraulic fluids and fluids to prevent overheating and decreasing the cutting force. In case of contamination, the fluid is changed occasionally, and leaked parts are changed.

Electrical Issue. The electric shear motor must be rated high to handle cutting thicker metals. An overload > stop motor; users must closely monitor electrical cables for wear around moving parts and frequent electrical arches.

Roller conveyors and clamps hold plate flat and tight during cutting; measure and adjust them frequently to ensure even cuts. Users are advised to wear protective gear like gloves, safety glasses and ear muffs.

Emergency button: A user should know the location of the Emergency Stop button and other safety interlocks upon emergency or machine malfunction occurrence. When cutting metals with sharp edges like stainless steel, handling this cut metal requires gloves.

Postcut handling: After cutting, the cut edges are sharp and present cut fingers or hands risk; place caution where to place hands when lifting cut pieces. The shearing area should always be kept clean to minimize accident risks.

Q&A

Q1. Which are the signs that a shear needs professional maintenance?

A1. Continuous bad smells, unusual sounds, smoking, and sudden motor stops are some signs the shear needs professional maintenance.

Q2. Shears vs. Blades: which one is better for thick metal?

A2. Both have their own pros and cons, but Gu spring type safety shears have great cutting force, making it better than cutting blades for thick metals.

Q3. Does the type of hydraulic fluid matter?

A3. Yes, using the right fluid is important for shear machine smooth operation and metal cutting. The resistance, viscosity rate and compressibility of fluids affect the cut.

Q4. How often should the blades be changed?

A4. Blades must be changed or sharpened weekly based on usage.