Proper Preventive Saw Maintenance
There are a number of advantages to utilizing preventive saw maintenance. Companies now realize the significance of taking proper care of their bandsaw equipment, recognizing that a little down time for maintenance actually saves a lot of down time if the saw fails during the course of any production procedure.
Practicing scheduled preventive maintenance on bandsaws increases productivity by decreasing cost, down time, and worker stress. With preventive maintenance, machine and blade life increase, and overtime emergency maintenance repairs become less frequent.
A well‐maintained bandsaw makes efficient, quality cuts and promotes operator safety.
Here are some tips or Operator guidelines in performing preventive maintenance on a bandsaw machine include:
- Check band wheels at every blade change
- Monitor band wheel bearings every six months
- Check the band wheel bearings for any unusual wheel movement and replace them if needed. Listen, listen, listen
- Installation of guides must be in accordance to the machine manufacturer’s instructions
- Need to inspect band guides every six months – minimally
- At every blade change, the blade tension needs to be inspected, tension in reference to the manufacturer’s recommendations. (NOTE: blade tension should be checked every day and tension released when not in use)
- Monitor blade tracking before removing each blade (NOTE: correct spacing between blade back edge and wheel flange should be about one-eighth inch)
- Daily inspect hydraulic system and frequently check oil level
- Drives must be checked every six months — visually inspect all areas where there are bearings
- Check transmission oil level and replace any defective bearings or seals
- Check gear-driven drive wheel for excess play
- For pulleys, check for proper alignment, tension, and wear, adjust as needed, and if damaged, replace
- Inspect belts for wear, cracks, and stretching — replace the belt according to the machine’s manual
- On a daily basis, check guide alignment and adjust according to the manufacturer’s manual
- Inspect vises for wear on both stationary and movable — adjust, repair, or replace as needed
- Align the vise to the blade and adjust as needed
- On a weekly basis, check the band speed and monitor maximum/minimum speed
- Daily inspection of the chip removal system
- Ensure that the conveyor is working properly and removing all chips
- Daily monitor saw fluids, maintaining fluid level according to machine specifications — assure fluid flows freely through all fluid nozzles
These preventive maintenance tips not only enhance the lifespan of the equipment, they also help attain optimum performance, extending the lifespan of the bandsaw, which in turn decreases the need for replacement parts.
A well maintained bandsaw machine performs better. Shops that take the time to maintain their bandsaw machine on a regular basis typically achieve optimum performance at more frequent intervals. This equates to profit. Many shops rely heavily on the bandsaw, and the smoother the equipment performs, the more productive the output.
Preventive maintenance is a small investment of time in relation to the cost savings that can be obtained by lengthening the life of the machine and blade.
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