PROCESSES FOR CUTTING TO LENGTH

The following cutoff processes are the ones most frequently employed: band-saw, hacksaw, circular-saw, abrasive-wheel, friction-saw, shear, lathe-type-machine, thin-wall-tubing cutters (shear type), flame cutting, and other methods such as electron-beam and laser-beam, EDM wire cutting, etc. (See Figs. 4.2.1 through 4.2.5.)

Figure 4.2.1: Hacksaw cutoff of bar stock. ( Courtesy Armstrong-Blum Mfg. Co.)

Figure 4.2.2: Circular-saw cutoff of aluminum billets. ( Courtesy Hill Acme Co.)

Figure 4.2.3: Typical parts and shapes cut by abrasive saws. ( Courtesy W. J. Savage Co.)

Figure 4.2.4: Lathe-type cutoff machine. ( Courtesy Modern Machine Tool Co.)

Figure 4.2.5: Typical parts cut off with lathe-type cutoff machines. ( Courte Modern Machine Tool Co.)

Cutoff machines have three major components:

1. The stock-feeding mechanism, which manually or automatically feeds uncut lengths of stock to the cutoff tool

2. The actual cutting mechanism saw, single-point tool, abrasive wheel, etc.

3. The discharge table or chute for cut lengths

   For manual cutting, the first and third components may be simple worktable...