Horizontal Bandsaw - VTAstrobotics/Documentation GitHub Wiki

Contents

Prerequisites

You should have a Ware Lab machine shop certification.

Specs

Dimensions

The horizontal bandsaw's vice can hold material just under 10 inches wide, about a foot (haven't measured) tall, and pretty much as long as you want.

For angled cuts, the horizontal bandsaw can cut up to 60°, but it is worth mentioning if you remove the hardstop you can achieve about 63°.

Tolerances

For angled cuts, it can be trusted to cut within 0.5° of accuracy using the built-in gauge.

For length, just cut a tad oversized and then do whatever you want to get as good a tolerance as you need (the weld shop's belt sander would be my choice).

Usage

To explain where things are, I'm going to call the

  • thing you're cutting your "workpiece"
  • wheel that tightens the vice to clamp your workpiece "the big wheel"
  • lever that tightens the vice "the big lever"
  • wheel that controls the falling of the blade "the small wheel"
  • lever that starts/stops the falling of the blade "the small lever"
  • "front" of the machine the side with the big wheel and lever (so the "right" is where you stand when cutting).
  • platform that holds your workpiece "the bed." The bed has slots for common angles as well as a few student-made ones.

How to cut

Setup

  • Raise the blade above the height of your workpiece
  • Rotate the big wheel counter-clockwise to allow room for your workpiece
  • Slide your workpiece in
  • Rotate the big wheel until it is gently touching your workpiece
    • You should still be able to slide your workpiece
  • Flick the small lever up to allow the blade to fall
  • Set the blade to fall at a reasonable pace using the small wheel
    • You just gotta eyeball it, sorry. If you're nervous you can ask someone to take a look
  • Flick the small lever down to stop falling when it's just above the workpiece
  • Slide your workpiece until it's aligned to the best of your ability
    • The longer part should be sticking out the left side of the machine (because that's where the pedestal is, but you can move it if needed)
  • Pull the big lever up to tighten your workpiece

Cut

  • Press the big green button to start the machine
  • Set the speed to a little over 200 for aluminum (~215) or a little below 100 for steel (~90) using the (bluish) knob
  • Wait 5-10 seconds for coolant to start flowing over the blade
    • If it doesn't, verify the 2 ball valves on top of the machine are open and the pump is on (flick the lever up on the back of the control box)
    • If the flow is mediocre, you may need to mix more coolant and refill. Ask Phil.
  • Flip up the small lever to let the blade fall and cut
  • Wait for it to finish the cut and allow it to stop the blade automatically

How to start/stop coolant

If you need to start or stop coolant flow, locate the two ball valves on the top of the bandsaw. Turn them 90°.

Post-process

  • Remove the portion of your workpiece on the right side
  • Wipe the coolant off it with a paper towel
  • Push down the big lever to release the rest of your workpiece
  • Remove the rest of your workpiece
  • Wipe the coolant off it with a paper towel
  • Clean up the machine
  • Debur your newly cut part
    • If you have weld shop access, I recommend the belt sander

Congrats!

How to angle

First, ensure you know How to cut. This is just the additional directions.

With the blade raised above the bed (and your workpiece, if it's in there already) and the small lever down,

  • Setup
    • Unlock the rotation by moving the large lever low on the right side of the machine
    • Pull the pin out that "zeros" the machine at 90° or 45°
      • This is located sort of near the back of the machine
      • It may be hard to move (cuz friction) so you might have to push and pull on the machine a little to allow it to slide freely
    • Move the whole thing to the desired angle
    • Lock using the large handle on the right side of the machine
  • Cut
    • If your angle is not in a slot, make sure to e-stop at the bottom to avoid cutting the bed.
  • Post-process
    • Return it to 90°

Congrats!

How to shift the vice

I don't know why you would need to do this. I think it's just to accommodate different shop configurations, but Jack tells me it's for left-handed people.

Anyway,

  • Raise the blade high out of the way of the vice
    • Make sure to flick the small lever down to stop the blade from falling
  • Unscrew the tiny handle on the front to the left a few turns
    • It's right under the ones that clamp your workpiece
  • Unscrew (by moving to the left—use RHR) the small handle beneath the bed
    • It's mildly hidden
    • Only move this one to the left a bit as there's not even enough room to turn this one completely
  • Shove the vice to the other side
  • Re-tighten both handles.

Congrats!