Metal Shearing Machine – 6 Advantages For Metal Fabrication Explained

What is Metal Shearing Machine

A metal shearing machine, often referred to simply as a shearing machine, is a mechanical device used to cut or shear sheet metal into smaller pieces. It operates by applying a shearing force to the metal, which causes it to deform and ultimately separate along a predetermined cutting line.

What is Metal Shearing

Metal shearing is a specific type of cutting process used to separate a smaller piece of metal from a larger piece. Compared to other methods, shearing creates cuts without burning, melting, or chipping. Metal shearing works by applying enough pressure to the material that it begins to cleanly separate from the larger stock.

6 Benefits and Advantages of Metal Shearing

Metal shearing offers a number of distinct advantages compared to other cutting methods, such as torch cutting. Major benefits of metal shearing include:

Straighter Cuts

One of the biggest advantages of metal shearing is the ability to create straight line cuts on flat sheet stock. Other processes often result in jagged or deformed edges, while shearing uses straight blades to create clean, straight edges and angles time after time.

Faster Cuts

Because there is no need for the metal to come to temperature as in torch cutting, jobs can be started and completed quicker. Metal processors use metal shearing to quickly cut large quantities of metal repeatedly.

Works With Softer and Harder Metals

Since shearing cuts without forming chips or burning or melting the material, the process works well with most softer metals. This includes aluminum, lower carbon steel, bronze, and brass. Harder metals can also work with metal shearing, but they require higher-powered machinery.

Minimal Waste

Perhaps the biggest advantage of shearing is that it produces little or no kerf, meaning virtually no loss of material and minimal waste. The result is less raw materials to invest in from the outset of the job.

Cost Effective for High Output

Shearing can be used with virtually any diameter part and is especially cost-effective for high-output operations producing thousands of pieces per hour. However, shearing is not ideal for lengths under 0.750”.

Works with Smaller Lengths

Metal shearing processes can also cut relatively small lengths of material at a time because the shearing blades are able to be mounted at an angle. In addition, this reduces the overall shearing force needed for each project.

Conclusion

Overall, metal shearing machines offer an efficient and cost-effective solution for cutting sheet metal in various industrial applications, from manufacturing and construction to automotive and aerospace industries.