When it comes to engineers and fabricators miscommunication is not uncommon. At times this gap in communication leads to frustration, tension and can waste everybody’s time. Don’t stress, like any other skill you can learn, practise and build your communication expertise. When you put in the time and elbow grease into developing open, effective and trusting communication you’ll create an efficient and positive work environment. At the end of the day, when everybody is on the same page they work better. On this blog, we are going through the essentials of good communication for engineers and fabricators.

 

Speak clearly

Be aware of what language you are using when you communicate. Do you use a lot of technical language? Are you prone to using jargon? If so, your communication will dramatically improve when you cut back on complicated language. When you use plain English then you cut out ambiguity and you are easier to understand. This is especially true if you are working with somebody who isn’t an engineer or doesn’t understand the fabricating process. Try explaining the ‘why’ and ‘what’ simply without being too patronising.

 

Include people in the process

A good way to keep everybody up-to-date and on the same page is to keep them informed. For example, if you have a meeting with any changes send out the meeting notes. Better yet, include more people in the meeting. Sudden changes can be jarring for people and if they don’t understand them then it can create frustration in the workplace. At the end of the day, the people who are implementing the change will know best if that change is better or worse. So it is important to listen to their opinion. When people are part of the process they have a deeper understanding of the project and what the outcome should look like. They will also care more about the end product.

 

Listen

This might sound a little obvious but if you’re not listening, truly listening, then you’re not communicating effectively. Miscommunication is a two-sided coin, it takes one person not being clear and the other person not thoughtfully listening. A good listener pays attention to their client’s needs and makes sure they have gotten it right. Here are a few steps for you to practise listening.

 

• Remove distractions like your phone and devote your attention to the person talking to you
• Pay attention to body language and tone. If the person talking to you looks worried then you’ll need to reassure them
• Show interest in what they are saying and try your best to understand and empathise
• Do not interrupt them even if you think you know what they are trying to tell you. When people don’t feel listened to then they will struggle to put their trust in you
• Think about what they’ve said and repeat what you think they meant. You can even pose it as a question. That way, if you’ve misunderstood something you can clear it up on the spot instead of down the line when it’s too late

 

To break it all down it’s simply absorb, reflect and repeat. Not only will you’ve improved listening skills things at work run a little smoother, but your relationship between clients, co-workers, employees or employers will also improve. Just keep practising.

Respect each other’s time

We are all busy, and while having a nice chat every now and then is nice, nobody likes having their time wasted. Simple things like scheduling a meeting shows respect for other people’s time and maintain a professional and friendly relationship. During a meeting, try to keep on topic and to the point. If you can, always send an agenda in advance so the other person can prepare for the meeting and you can get straight to the point in the meeting.

 

Be friendly

Sometimes the best way to improve communication and workspace relationships is a little kindness, a smile and good manners. Workplace environments can be stressful, especially during crunch time, and it’s easy to take it out on the people around you. However, if people are hesitant to approach you with queries and issues then you’ll end up with a gap in communication. Simple and easy to fix problems can turn into big time wasters. Sometimes the friendliest thing to do is to be a little more open about your feelings and deadlines. If you’re swamped with something just let people know.

 

Running a smooth operation is easier said than done. At Acra, we can at least take the stress out of finding the right machinery. We have a top-notch range of new and second-hand machinery including press brakes, bandsaws, plasma cutters and laser cutters. If you want to know more, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by calling 03 9794 6675.

 

In the ideal world, the combination of job modelling technology and worker skill results in the perfect component every time. In reality, mistakes happen and in more complex cases, distortion cannot be avoided during the sheet metal fabrication process. To remedy these issues, a number of corrective techniques have developed to restore the component with a minimum amount of damage. In this blog, we look at the four most common sheet metal fabrication issues  wrinkles, splits, springbacks and general distortion, and run through the best practice solutions for correcting these issues.

Problem: Wrinkles – minor or severe

Cause: Wrinkles are a result of compressive strains in the sheet metal stamping process that pushes the metal together. This effect is usually caused by using the wrong manufacturing process or an incorrect parameter.

Solution: Stretching or drawing the material back out with the use of pads and binders is the best way to fix wrinkled sheet metal. For more complex shapes, draw beads may also be required. Removing wrinkles usually involves extra flat material to clamp and stretch the wrinkles out, producing waste.

 

Problem: Splits

Cause: Splits are caused when the materials is extended past its ultimate tensile strength

Solution: Splits can usually be avoided through software modelling, which should be able to use the forming limit diagram to predict all splitting defects.

Fixing a split also usually requires stamping simulation software which can consider variables such as material type, thickness, number of forming stages, blank shape and size, form depth and form radius.

 

Problem: Springback

Cause: Springbacks occur when the material is strained in processing and then relaxes due to it’s elastic characteristics. This is a common problem with high strength metals as the difference between yield and tensile strength is much narrower in these types of materials.

Solution: Compensating or ‘over bending’ to accommodate the metal’s elasticity is the most common way to manage a springback but it is not necessarily effective. Positive stretching may be used to increase part strength and therefore make the material stiffer and stronger to reduce springback.

 

Problem: Distortion

Cause: When the material is unable to handle the stretching and compressing of the fabrication process, deformation occurs. This can be a result of bending across the grain, working too fast and reducing work hardening, variations in hardness and thickness, the position of holes and the size of the piece of sheet metal.

Solution: Avoiding deformation is usually a matter of good project planning and material knowledge. Different types of distortion need to be managed in different ways:

1. Mechanical straightening

Hammering and pressing are the two most common techniques for deformation correction. However, as hammering can produce both surface damage and work hardening, pressing is the preferred management method.

• Bowing or angular distortion can usually be straightened on a press through over correction
• Bowing in a flanged plate will require incremental pressings from a press brake to correct the distortion. In these cases, the load needs to act on the flange to prevent web damage at the load points. A former is the best tool to use in order to achieve a straight component or smooth curvature as incremental point loading will only produce an approximately straight component

2. Thermal correction

Thermal correction is achieved by heating a local area of the metal to such high stresses that when it cools, it pulls the rest of the component back into shape. There are three key thermal correction techniques which are spot, line and wedge-shaped heating.

• Spot heating

Ideal for removing buckling in thin sheet metal when it is welded to a stiff frame. The convex side is heated in spots which are arranged depending on the shape of the buckling.

• Line heating

Used for angular distortion, the component is headed along the welded join (on the opposite side), pulling the flange flat.

• Wedge shaped heating

Used to correct distortion in more complex components, wedge heating is used in conjunction with line heating to achieve the desired shape. This technique can be used on thicker metals; however, two torches may be needed to heat the component from opposite sites in order to achieve uniform heating.

 

 

Acra are sheet metal machinery specialists offering a wide range of quality new and used machinery for sale as well as expert servicing solutions. If you have an ongoing sheet metal problem that you are struggling to diagnose, our experts are on hand to help you manage the issue so you can finish your project on time and within budget. To learn more about our capabilities, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by calling 03 9794 6675.

When using sheet metal machinery and other kinds of metal tools, the age-old phrase ‘safety first’ really does go a long way. Failing to care properly for safety puts everyone on the worksite in danger, and often, you may not even realise that this is happening right in front of you. In today’s blog, we are taking a closer look at some other hazards that can be caused by the finer details in a workshop – and how you can avoid them.

#1: Electric shock

Electric shock is one of the biggest and most common hazards that threaten the safety of those using welding equipment. If appropriate safety measures are not taken into account, there is a high chance that your welders will experience an electric shock.

Electric shock is a hazard that can be caused by a few different welding errors, such as:

• Not working on a well-insulated floor
• Changing or connecting cables without switching off the primary power sources
• Installing the welding machine too far away from the power point
• Hiring an unqualified electrician for repairs
• Not taking enough care with PPE (personal protective equipment) – for example, not wearing rubber insulated shoes.

 

#2: Exposure to toxic fumes

When being welded, certain metals can emit toxic fumes into the open air. These dangerous toxins can severely impact the health of the welder, even causing conditions like cancer, speech impairment and respiratory illness.

Welders can become exposed to toxic fumes and gases in a variety of ways, including:

• A lack of ventilation and an inadequate exhaust in the workspace
• Not testing the air to ensure that the exposure welders experience is at a safe level
• Not wearing an approved respirator if exposure levels are above the safe limit.

 

#3: Fires and explosions

The welding arc can reach temperatures of up to 6,000 degrees Celsius. The heat and sparks produced by the arc can therefore present a very real (and sadly, common) risk of fire and explosions in metal workshops.

With the right safety precautions, fires and explosions can be avoided. However, there are some crucial errors that can cause welders to experience burns or equipment to become damaged due to fire. These errors include:

• Welding within 10 metres of flammable materials without a supervisor
• Not removing any moveable flammable materials before beginning to weld
• Not having extinguishers nearby in case a fire does occur
• Leaving the work area too quickly after welding (finished workpieces are extremely hot and the welder should monitor the piece for half an hour after welding).

 

#4: Lack of PPE

Personal protective equipment (or PPE) is the equipment welders need to be wearing at all times while on a worksite. It can include:

• A shielded helmet
• Leather gloves and a leather apron
• Steel-capped safety boots with rubber insulation
• Overalls
• Fire-resistant clothing that covers the skin

Your PPE is one of the key factors that will help keep you safe on any worksite, including a metal workshop. Failing to account for PPE in a thorough manner can expose welders to a whole host of issues, from burns to electric shock. For example, not wearing overalls can cause the welder to experience a burn similar in severity to extreme sunburn.

 

#5: Not considering other factors

Before you implement any kind of tool or sheet metal machinery into your workshop kit, you need to ensure you assess the entire site to check if the environment meets safety guidelines. There are some specific things you should be checking for and asking yourself, including:

• Are there any confined spaces in the workshop?
• Is the workshop messy and full of clutter?
• Are there any areas with elevated ground in the workshop?
• Is the welding equipment close to heat-sensitive drums or liquids?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, you need to reevaluate how you are going to manage safety within your workshop. In many cases, it’s an easy (but necessary) fix, such as simply cleaning up, or training your welding operators to be able to work on the elevated ground.

 

Buy sheet metal machinery today

These days, it can be difficult to sift through hundreds of tools and machines in order to find reliable sheet metal machinery. But luckily for you, at Acra Machinery we do the tough jobs for you. Our collection of sheet metal machinery (new and used) have been carefully selected by our team to match the high-quality services we deliver to our customers. And speaking of our team, they’ve been passionate about the job for a combined 150 years and counting. They can answer all your questions, give you expert recommendations, and troubleshoot your latest equipment.

Feel free to contact us today with any queries about sheet metal machinery or other workshop tools on (03) 9794 6675.

Are you opening up a new workshop or upgrading? Congratulations! A safe, productive workspace that keeps you and your employees happy takes careful and considerate planning. You probably have a lot on your plate and designing a workshop can sometimes feel a little overwhelming and even frustrating. Don’t worry, as stressful as it might seem it is doable. On this blog, we are going through the main things you need to consider when designing your workshop.

 

Have you put it all down on paper?

 

When you sit down with the architect and start designing your workshop, make sure you put every element down on your floor plan. It’s not enough just to have the borders and exits. You need to start figuring out where workstations will go, how people will move around and where your materials will be stored. Start by sketching in the larger equipment and the tools needed to run them. Then, put in your grinders, welders, personal equipment and storage. Draw in your employees, in scale if you can, and see how they get around. This way you’ll start getting an idea of what is going to work best for the space that you have. You’ll also be able to see if there are any potential problems with the layout. If you do find some, discuss it with your architect and come up with a solution together.

 

Have you used the space efficiently?

 

A good workspace factors in efficiency and comfort, because you can’t have one without the other. There is a lot to consider when balancing your workshop space. You don’t want too much room between stations – your employees will waste time walking from one station to another. You may want to put in as many stations as possible to increase productivity. This won’t work. First of all, it’s not safe to have a cramped workshop. Second, if your employees can’t move freely and comfortably around then work is going to be difficult. Always factor in that you’ll need space to move machinery around and for replacements.

 

Are you using gas and/or electricity?

 

Powering your workshop will be your largest expense. So make sure you plan your usage and that there are enough power sources for your machinery. Along with power sources, you’ll need to include the main power box and individual circuit breakers into your plan. Make sure you discuss with your architect where the workstations will be and where you’ll need power sources.

 

If you want to use gas as your main system then you need to plan outlines, servicing monitors and regulators.

 

Is your workshop safe?

 

You may have planned out an efficient space, but your workshop isn’t truly efficient if you haven’t made space for safety. This could be space to store helmets and protective gear, a fire extinguisher that easily accessed, a first aid kit that everybody can get to and there is enough room for a supervisor to freely monitor production. You also need to work out if your employees have enough room to move comfortably around. If they start getting in each other’s way, or they don’t have enough room to work, then accidents start happening.

 

You also need to make sure you aren’t building in hazards and you are thinking ahead for any other hazards. The main thing you need is to make sure that your floor is even. You might need other things like guard railing and toe boards.

 

Have you planned for emergencies?

 

In an environment that uses a lot of chemicals and other hazardous materials, you need to be extra cautious. It is also important that there is a fire plan and evacuation is factored into your floor plan. Pathways to the emergency exit should always be clear and easy to access. So you should always put safety first when designing your workshop. This will be explained in further detail below.

 

Have you factored in fumes?

 

There are a lot of hazardous materials being handled in a workshop. If there isn’t proper ventilation your employees will get sick and it increases the chance of an accident happening. There should be a fume extraction system at every booth that is flexible, some near the floor for heavier fumes and another on the roof.

 

You can’t run a fabrication shop without the right tools. At Acra, we have a top-notch range of new and second-hand machinery including press brakes, bandsaws, plasma cutters and laser cutters. If you want to know more, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by calling 03 9794 6675.

 

Oxy fuel (aka flame cutting) and plasma cutting are two of the most popular metal cutting systems available on the modern market. Determining which cutting technology is the best option for your job depends considerations such as material thickness, the cost, the context of the job and the available power sources. In this blog, we take a look at how the two systems compare based on a range of different factors including running costs, accuracy, waste production, cutting capabilities, and working requirements.

Cost

• The upfront cost of an oxy fuel setup is usually only 20% of what it would cost to buy a plasma cutting system.

 

• Replacement tips and electrodes on a plasma cutter are similarly priced to replacement tips for an oxy-fuel cutting outfit

 

• Plasma cutters have lower ongoing costs as they only require electricity to run, whereas an oxy fuel system will require regular oxygen and fuel cylinder refills which come with cylinder handling charges

Waste production

Oxy fuel cutters produce quite a lot of slag (where the oxygen and metal react to form iron oxide) and jobs completed using this technology have a lot of clean-up associated with them.  Plasma technology still produces slag, but not nearly as much as an oxy fuel cutter. The amount of slag a plasma cutter produces depends on factors such as torch design and the energy density of the arc. Applying too much power can also result in an increased amount of waste production.

Cutting capabilities

• Plasma cutting technology is quite diverse in that it can cut both ferrous and non-ferrous metals including aluminium, stainless steel and cast iron. Oxy fuel cutters on the other hand can only be used for cutting ferrous metals and are not used for cutting cast iron

 

• Oxy fuel torches are ideal for cutting thicker cuts of metal and systems can cut steel thicker than 20 inches. Plasma cutters on the other hand are only capable of cutting metals with a maximum thickness of 1 inch.

 

• Oxy fuel cutters are more efficient at cutting through thicker metals, whilst plasma cutters are more effective at cutting through tinner metal.

 

• Plasma cutters far outperform oxy-fuel cutters in terms of speed and accuracy when it comes to cutting thinner stacked metals and has faster grate cutting capabilities.

 

• Plasma cutters are better suited to cutting shaped metals including angles, channels and tubes.

 

Working requirements

Oxy fuel torches are a popular choice for onsite work as they are portable and don’t require an electricity source like a plasma cutter. However in recent years plasma cutting technology has advanced to the point where some models are portable and as most modern construction sites require an electricity source anyway, they are becoming increasingly common in the field. Another key difference between the two cutting technologies is that oxy-fuel torches need the metal to be preheated to ignition temperature before cutting can begin. Plasma cutting technology on the other hand, does not require the metal to be preheated.

Accuracy and speed

When it comes to speed and accuracy, plasma cutting technology far outperforms oxy-fuel torches. A plasma cutter takes care of thinner metals much faster, and with little or no distortion as compared to an oxy-fuel cutter. Plasma cutters produce a smooth cut with a narrower kerf than an oxy fuel cutter does.

• If you need an accurate cut for thinner metals, a plasma cutter is ideal

 

• If you need to cut through thick metals and accuracy or finish are not important, oxy fuel is the best choice

Safety

Both technologies have risks associated with their use which can be mitigated through the use of proper safety gear and operation protocols. However, because plasma cutting does not use an open flame or involve explosive gases, it does create a safer workplace.

 

 

Ultimately, most sheet metal manufacturing operations require both an oxy fuel and a plasma cutting system to handle the diverse range of jobs they work on. Acra Machinery are Melbourne’s suppliers of new and used plasma cutters. To learn more about our range, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by calling 03 9794 6675.

The world of machinery can be a complex one, especially when you are looking to purchase something that will be a perfect fit for your business. With so many specifications and features, choosing a plasma cutter in particular can be a confusing process. Never fear: we have put together a guide of tips to follow when buying a plasma cutter to ensure you make the right purchase.

#1: Think about your needs

There is no way you’re going to be able to select the right product unless you know what exactly you need out of it. Knowing what you’re looking for will mean you can select a plasma cutter that closely fits your needs.

These are some questions you can ask yourself to narrow down the kind of plasma cutter you’re looking for:

• Do you plan to cut by hand or on a table?
• Do you need the unit to be portable (i.e. light and easy to move around the workspace)?
• How often will you be using your plasma cutter?
• What kind of material do you plan to cut?
• What’s your budget?
• How will you power your plasma cutter? Will you use a generator or adapt power outlets?

 

#2: Look at the output power

The output power level (or amperage) of a plasma cutter indicates the thickness of the material you will be able to cut with it. Often, a plasma cutter will be rated on their amperage and you’ll be able to find out the optimal range of thickness that it will be able to cut.

Make sure this thickness range aligns with the material you plan to cut most of the time. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that the thicker your material is, the greater the amperage you’ll need to be able to cut it.

 

#3: Look at the cutting speed

Knowing the cutting speed of your plasma cutter (relative to the thickness of the metal being cut) will mean that you can calculate the level of output your machine will be able to produce. This is important because it can mean the difference between efficiency or, if the wrong choice is made, a dip in productivity.

Luckily, you often don’t have to calculate the cutting speed yourself. It is quite common for manufacturers to display this information so that you can easily compare a range of plasma cutters. Look for the Inches Per Minute (IPM) value, or ask the manufacturer about the cutting speed.

 

#4: Know the duty cycle

The duty cycle refers to the length of time within a ten-minute span that a plasma cutter can operate without a break before it needs to cool down. For example, a three-minute duty cycle means that a plasma cutter can run for three minutes, and needs to cool down for seven. Typically, long duty cycles are ideal for deep or long cuts, while a shorter duty cycle is best for regular small cuts.

It’s important to purchase a plasma cutter with a duty cycle that aligns with your requirements. For example, you may need your plasma cutter to operate for six minutes (with a four-minute cool off). If you purchase a plasma cutter with a four or five-minute duty cycle, rather than a six-minute duty cycle, you are going to find that it will likely overheat and cost you in maintenance.

 

#5: Consider the operating cost

The operating cost of a plasma cutter relates closely with its consumables. Consumables are parts such as cutting tips and electrodes that need to be replaced over time. A damaged cutting tip, for example, will mean one of two things: either your plasma cutter will either need more time to do its job, or your cuts will lower in quality. Therefore, to have time-efficient and quality driven cuts, you will need to ensure your cutting tip is constantly in top shape.

Consumables are an ongoing cost, therefore, you should consider how your machine will use them – will it wear them out quickly? If so, that could cost you a lot of money in the future.

 

Buy a quality plasma cutter

Having been a supplier of quality machinery for over 20 years, Acra’s impressive range of high-quality plasma cutters is sure to cater to your needs. Our knowledgeable staff can assist with any questions you might have about the equipment – including output power, cutting speed, duty cycle and operating costs – to ensure you invest in the product that is best for you. Don’t hesitate to call us on 03 9794 6675 to find out more about our plasma cutters.

Making a call about what to do with your ageing machinery is a difficult one. It can be hard to determine when’s the best time (from financial and productivity perspectives) to replace machinery which is still functional but technologically out of date. Retrofitting is a great alternative option for operators who are not in a position to invest in an upgrade and want to make the most of what they’ve already got. Taking this route can improve productivity, minimise waste, and reduce operator fatigue. This guide provides an overview of how to go about determining if your current press brake is a suitable candidate for a retrofitting upgrade.

What condition is your press brake in?

First and foremost, you need to assess your press brake’s electrical, hydraulic and mechanical condition to determine if it’s worth augmenting. The key areas you need to assess are ram accuracy, pedestal control, backguage control and press brake control.

Ram accuracy

If your ram is still producing accurate enough bending results for your current applications, retro fitting will probably be the most cost effective way to improve productivity. If the ram is not currently accurate enough for your applications, no amount of retro fitting is likely to resolve this.

Pedestal control

Is your pedestal control functional? If not, look into the availability of spare parts. Control retrofits need functional controls to work with in the first place, if replacement parts for your machine are costly or too hard to find, it may mean a retrofit is no longer the most cost effective option.

Backguage control

Replacing a backbulge control is a relatively straightforward way to increase the productivity of your press brake so if your backguage control is struggling, it could be a retro fit candidate.

Press brake control

Does the functionality of your press brake come through the control head? If so, retrofit options will expensive. If not, a lot of basic interfaces can be used for your machine and it is a relatively cost effective fix.

 

What type of machine do you have?

The technology that your press brake uses to function dictates what types of retrofitting solutions can be applied.

Mechanical press brake

• There is no way to gain true programmability of this type of ram
• A stand-alone CNC backguage system may be added

Hydraulic press brake

• Usually require PC based retrofit controls which are quite sophisticated and can therefore be quite expensive

 

How do you use your press brake?

What are the main pain points that affect productivity/efficiency when your press brake? Understanding what these are will help you determine what types of retrofits to undertake.

Bending needs

• If the bend-to bend dimension is more important to you than the flange then a front gauging solution would be best
• If flange dimensions are more important, back gauging is the solution

Tool changes

• If you frequently need to adjust the height of your gauging surface or fingers to accommodate tool changes, then an R axis backgauge system that lets you program height adjustments for every bend is ideal

Ram depth and angle

• If the ram depth and angle needs to be frequently adjusted, then productivity can be boosted by retrofitting a ran of Y axis to the frontgauge or backgauge system
• If there are varying angles in the same part, a Y axis also allows you to adjust angle and depth for each bend

Part handling and gauge adjustments

Adding the following axes to your backgauge system can help with a multitude of productivity issues:

X axis: To minimize handling the same part multiple times

Y axis: To minimize handling the same part multiple times

R axis: To minimize handling the same part multiple times, if your gauging surface/plane requires multiple changes for one part

Z1 axis: To minimize handling the same part multiple times, if your gauging surface/plane requires multiple changes for one part, to reduce the setup time between finger adjustments

Z2 axis: To minimize handling the same part multiple times, if your gauging surface/plane requires multiple changes for one part, to reduce the setup time between finger adjustments

Operator programming

• An offline programming retrofit allows engineers to pre-program a job from their computer to reduce operator error and optimize bend sequence and process

Determine what you need

The size of your press brake as well as your desired control capabilities will determine the cost of your retrofit. Control capabilities can be incredibly sophisticated and  offer a wide range of features including job storage, or multiple job storage, ram programmability, programmable fingers to the backgauge system, programmable gauge bar height, the option to program a ran in angle or depth mode, remote programming, tool libraries, networking and software integration.

 

Acra are sheet metal manufacturing machinery experts who are here to advise you on the most cost effective solution for your machinery. We offer repairs and retrofitting services as well as quality new and used press brake models for sale. To learn more about our capabilities please call 0 39794 6675.

 

 

The business of buying machinery is vast and varied. It can actually be quite difficult to navigate at times – especially when two pieces of equipment seem so similar. When buying a bandsaw and bandsaw blades in particular, it may feel like you almost can’t tell two different products apart. How do you choose? In this blog, our four-step guide will help you answer that question.

#1: Know the intended purpose of the bandsaw

Before you invest time and money into researching all the different kinds of bandsaws, you need to be very clear on what exactly your ideal piece of machinery needs to be able to do. Some bandsaw blades are specifically designed for a certain type of cut, while others are relatively flexible – as far as bandsaws go.

Knowing what you want from a bandsaw helps you steer away from unsuitable machinery. For example, knowing that you need a bandsaw that will produce high-quality cuts of aluminium at the lowest cost-per-cut rate will mean you need to avoid machinery that is more suitable for thin wall tubing.

These are some questions you should be able to answer before looking for a bandsaw:

• What sort of material are you cutting?
• What kind of budget are you looking at?
• How durable do you need the bandsaw to be?

 

#2: Consider the characteristics of the blade

A bandsaw blade is surprisingly more complex than it seems. There are a lot of variables to consider that involve the blade alone. You need to consider the following blade characteristics:

• Wear resistance. Constant impact on materials is the most common way for bandsaw blades (especially tooth tips) to wear down. For instance, the simple act of cutting a tube exposes the tooth tips to two points of impact: the initial cut, then the second cut, which comes after an open space. The second cut is often far more impactful due to the open space that precedes it. This constant impact is then what causes tooth tips to wear down. As such, it’s important to find a blade that is suitable for the material you are cutting so that it is resistant to wear – in this case, you want to find a blade that is best for tube cutting.
• Blade width. This is typically measured from the tips of the teeth all the way to the back of the blade. Unless you are cutting contours or finer details, you should be using the widest blade that your bandsaw can fit.
• Tooth rake. This is the angle at which the tooth face is tilting, relative to the back of the blade. A positive tooth rake is best for cutting things like tubing, while a straight (or less positive) tooth rake is better for heavier bundles.
• Tooth type. There is a range of shapes available for bandsaw tooth blades. For example, the hook tooth is typically used to cut softer materials (such as nonferrous metals, wood and plastic).
• Blade pitch. This is the distance between two tooth tips. A ‘fine pitch’ refers to a lower distance between tips, while a ‘coarse pitch’ means that the distance is greater. A fine pitch is typically used for cutting thinner materials. In contrast, a coarse pitch is used for thicker sections.

 

#3: Think about all the variables before you make your choice

Additional variables must also be considered before you purchase a bandsaw. You should note:

• The condition of the equipment. Are you buying your bandsaw in a used condition? If so, you need to ensure you physically inspect it. You also need to check that the seller is reliable and that they will sell a used machine that is of good quality.
• The upkeep required to maintain the bandsaw. Pay attention to signs of wear; these indicate that the machine may need to be tweaked or fixed. As well as this, you need to know what kind of coolant is appropriate for your bandsaw blade. The correct coolant helps to maintain the life of the blade and can even improve the cut.
• How skilled your workers are. For the safety of your workers, you must ensure that adequate training is provided before they begin to operate a new piece of equipment. Those using the bandsaw should be able to troubleshoot, report any problems, and handle the equipment safely.

 

#4: Ask a trusted seller

Consulting a trusted seller can help you make your decision based on the expert analysis of your specific situation. As an established and reputable company, Acra Machinery has been trusted as a business for more than 40 years. With over 150 years of combined experience, our staff are rich with knowledge and can assist with any queries you may have about buying machinery.

Contact us today on 03 9794 6675 for any further enquiries on buying our new and used machinery.

When it comes to buying used machinery, you might have a negative view of the whole process. You might ask how legitimate it is, or perhaps why you would even bother buying a used product when there are new ones on the market.

Contrary to this belief, there are actually a number of benefits you will reap if you choose to purchase used machinery. We are taking you through six of these benefits today.

#1: There’s a lot of choice

Buying and selling used machinery has become a rapidly growing practice due to a few reasons:

• Immediacy. When ordering new equipment, it is possible that you could be waiting a while – up to months, in some cases – for it to be manufactured. Alternatively, buying used machinery is more immediate, because any potential wait time usually involves the shipping and handling. This is far more convenient for many people, especially if you require the machinery as soon as possible.
• A large global market. While it is definitely best to buy local, there is a global buying and selling market for used machinery. From live auctions to purchasing online, there are many ways to buy used machinery and this variety has attracted even more customers.

The increase in the popularity of buying and selling used machinery means that the market is now more competitive. Therefore, more sellers are trying to incorporate more products into their listings to appeal to a wider range of buyers. This ultimately benefits the buyer due to competitive pricing and a greater selection range.

 

#2: Branded products are more affordable

It goes without saying that buying used equipment is more affordable than buying new machinery. However, something you may not have considered is the fact that you may be able to purchase branded equipment at a price that suits your budget.

While branded products may not appeal to you ordinarily, the lower price may be the factor that pushes you into this area of machinery. Plus, you will likely face far lower interest rates, taxes and insurance charges, as the price of the product is lower to begin with.

 

#3: Used machinery has a good resale value

It is generally agreed that the resale value of new machinery drops dramatically after its first year of use. However, after this time, machinery typically holds its resale value for years afterwards at a relatively steady rate.

Therefore, another benefit of used machinery is that you can easily resell it for a price that is similar, if not equal to, what you purchased it for. This is particularly beneficial to those who typically complete short-term projects and need to resell the machinery once it has been used. The key is simply to buy the used machinery after it has passed this value-drop period.

 

#4: They can be used as backups

Is your business growing? If so, you may want to consider investing in some backup machinery. Delivering products with a fast turnaround can put performance stress on your machinery, causing it to slow, wear down, or in some cases, act faultily.

Buying used machinery as a backup may therefore be the smart solution. If you use a brake press daily, for example, it is proactive to have a backup brake press in stock that you can rely on if the first one falters.

 

#5: It’s eco-friendly

Buying used equipment is not just financially smarter – it’s eco-friendly. By forgoing the chance to buy new machinery, you actually help to reduce your contribution to the emissions that would have been produced while your equipment was being manufactured.

 

#6: It allows for a greater repertoire

Your budget can only be stretched so far. You may want to purchase a brake press as well as a welder. Buying new machinery is naturally more expensive and might mean that you have to forgo one of these pieces of equipment in order to afford the other.

However, buying used machinery at a competitive price often means your budget will cover more ground. By buying used machinery you can grow your repertoire of equipment under the same budget. In short, you may be able to squeeze both the brake press and the welder into the same budget if you buy them used.

ACRA Machinery supplies both new and used machinery to the market. We are a supplier of quality machinery, including the brake press. Our staff members have over 150 years of combined experience and are committed to providing the quality customer service to match the products. Don’t hesitate to get in touch via our contact form today.