6: BASIC OPERATIONS
much longer if you hone the teeth to create a small radius on
the tip.
To break in a new blade:
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Use the band speed recommended for the material you
are cutting.
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For Easy-To-Cut Materials (like carbon steel and
aluminum)
Reduce the feed rate to half the normal
rate for 50-100 square inches.
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For Hard-To-Cut Materials (like nickel-based
alloys, hardened steels, tool steels and stainless
steels)
Reduce the feed rate to 3/4 the normal rate for
25-75 square inches.
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Gradually increase to the normal cutting rate over the
next few cuts, adjusting speed slightly if necessary to
avoid vibration.
6.3 CHANGE THE SPEED
Note:
For information on selecting a blade cutting
speed, see a machinist's handbook.
To change the blade cutting speed:
1. Power off the bandsaw and disconnect it from the main
air supply.
a. Push the Emergency Stop button on the operator
panel to lock it into the disabled position.
b. Turn the Main Disconnect switch to
OFF
.
Mains power is disconnected from the machine.
c. Disconnect the air line from your site from the input
port on the FRL Filter-Regulator-Lubricator.
2. Open the pulley cover.
3. Loosen the clamping bolt under the motor.
4. Turn the belt tensioning bolt counterclockwise to loosen
the tension on the belt. Continue to turn the bolt until
you can remove the belt from the pulleys.
5. Move the belt from one position on the pulleys to
another.
The following speed ranges are available:
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60 Hz: 135, 161, 226, 394 ft/min (41, 49, 69, 120
m/min)
Spindle Pulley
Motor Pulley
135 �/min
161 �/min
226 �/min
394 �/min
Figure 6-10: Pulley speed configurations.
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50 Hz: 112, 135, 194, 322 ft/min (34, 41, 59, 98
m/min)
6. Turn the belt tensioning bolt clockwise to increase the
tension on the belt.
7. Firmly push the belt between the pulleys. If it's properly
tensioned, the belt should move approximately 1/2 in. If
it's not properly tensioned, repeat Steps 6 through 7.
8. Tighten the clamping bolt.
9. Close the pulley cover.
6.4 CHANGE THE FEED RATE
Determine the feed rate by observing how the bandsaw is
operating and the chip formations that it's cuts are producing.
NOTICE!
If the feed rate is too high, it could cause stalling
or the blade to break. If the feed rate is too low, it could
dull the blade too quickly.
To change the feed rate:
1. Open the hydraulic flow on the blade feed lever: turn the
lever up, so that it's perpendicular to the cylinder.
Figure 6-11: Blade feed lever.
©Tormach® 2020
Specifications subject to change without notice.
Page 31
UM10538: Tormach AF50 Autofeed Bandsaw (Version 0320A)
For the most recent version, see tormach.com/support
