Putting Teeth into Your Extrusion Cut-Off Saw Maintenance Program

It’s a workhorse. And, chances are, you don’t really think about your extrusion cut-off saw very much. Except, of course, when something goes wrong.

Which is, in a way, just the point. Take a few simple steps to maintain that saw on a regular basis, and the chances of something “going wrong” are greatly reduced!

Cutting Down on Downtime

It’s easy to take your cut-off saw for granted, but it can hold the key to much of your company’s productivity. Your saw is often required to make many cuts for each profile extruded, so it must cycle repeatedly. And if its performance is allowed to deteriorate, the result will be ruined profiles and substantial waste, and ultimately an extrusion line that is slowed or stopped, with profiles piling up while you make a major repair.

Of course, the loss of saw performance can be so subtle, you don’t even notice—until the call from a customer who is very unhappy with cuts that aren’t square, or require more finishing than expected. This is a very costly way to find out, indeed.

A Well-Oiled Machine Will Run Like One

As in most mechanical devices, friction is the enemy. So perhaps the most obvious part of a maintenance routine involves lubrication. At least once before or during every shift, the saw blade lubrication reservoir should be checked and filled if necessary. If lubrication is not maintained, the cuts will become rough and uneven; and if one reservoir empties prematurely, the blade could skew, throwing off the squareness of the cut.

Another important daily checkpoint is the compressed air supply; clean or replace the filter as necessary.

The basic operation of the saw blade lubrication system should be checked on a weekly basis; at that time, the hydraulic system should also be checked for oil level and quality, and the bed roller drive chains should be oiled.

Also, the saw slide bearings and all others in the extrusion saw assembly should be greased monthly.

Don’t Overlook the Mechanics

Lubrication isn’t the only factor, of course. Perhaps nothing affects cut quality as much as a dull saw blade; it is essential to change to a sharp blade at the very first sign of deterioration in cut quality.

Other extrusion saw components that should be examined on a regular basis include the mounting and integrity of all switches and sensors. A monthly check should be sufficient.

Clamp pads should also be checked monthly, as well, for any marking, foreign particles, or signs of wear. They must hold extrusions securely, but without damaging them; their condition is important.

Along with the individual maintenance checks, it is critical to monitor the saw’s tramming performance periodically, as well. The quality of the cut is a key issue in profitability, and it is important to ensure that the saw’s travel is maintained to deliver square cuts at the tolerances required. The blade drive belts should be inspected weekly for proper tension, and replaced when they show significant signs of wear.

Ship-shape Means Chip-free!

Well, “chip-free” might be asking a lot. But the chip collection barrel should be emptied every day, and any chips that have collected inside the saw itself must be cleaned out. Allowing these remnants to build up can damage the saw and diminish performance in any number of ways.

Finally, don’t forget what may be the most important area of all: safety. See that all guards are in place and all safety sensors and other devices are in perfect working order. There can be NO compromise in these areas, because far more than productivity is at risk.

For additional information on cut-off saw maintenance, consult your Granco Clark service manual. Always disconnect and lockout the external power source, following established lockout procedures, prior to performing maintenance or service on any equipment.