Choose the right saw blade
Choose the right saw blade
What is important when selecting a saw blade?
Choosing the right saw blade is crucial for fast and efficient cutting. By making the right choice, the service life of the saw blade can be extended and higher production rates achieved. In short: use the right saw blade for optimal results. In this article, we explain which factors are important and how to select the right saw blade depending on the product to be cut.
Please also use our Cutting Wizard.
During the cutting process, the saw blade removes a small amount of material from the workpiece with each tooth. The correct number of teeth is determined depending on the application: the tooth pitch (circumference of the saw blade / number of teeth).
The feed per tooth is the depth to which each tooth penetrates the material. Tooth by tooth, more and more material is removed to cut through the product. This is expressed in mm/tooth.
To determine the correct feed rate, the longest cutting length (LCL) is first established. This is the point on the profile’s diameter where the most material is removed per tooth, depending on the shape and entry point of the saw. This is the moment when the saw blade is under the greatest load.
With proportional sawing, the feed rate can be adjusted during the cutting movement, so that at times when the load on the saw blade is lower, the feed rate can be increased to achieve higher output and reduce wear.
Tooth Load Ratio (TLR)
During cutting, the space between the teeth fills with material. By the end of the cut, this typically amounts to 10% to 25%. An excessively high feed rate or an LCL that is too high can lead to overloading, causing the spaces between the teeth to become too full. This can cause damage to the saw blade, such as increased wear or even broken teeth.
The correct tooth pitch can be selected based on the feed rate, the LCL and the TLR. Furthermore, the operator can fine-tune the feed rate during the cutting process.
Cutting speed
The cutting speed, determined by the circumference × the rotational speed (RPM/min), can be adjusted to reduce the cutting time. This shortens the cycle time and enables higher production rates to be achieved. The operator must determine the optimum setting for this.
Excessive speed leads to increased wear and tear. Production can be increased through the use of high-quality saw blades (TCT) or special saw blade coatings.
Saw blade material
Two different types of saw blades are usually used for cutting on automatic sawing lines. HSS (High Speed Steel) is a saw blade made from high-quality steel, often fitted with a protective coating, offering good wear resistance. These blades can be resharpened several times, thereby reducing the cost per cut.
TCT (Tungsten Carbide Tipped) saw blades have teeth to which carbide tips are brazed. These exceptionally hard tips are suitable for cutting at higher speeds and for hard materials, and are highly durable. The disadvantage is that these blades cannot be resharpened and that they are more expensive than HSS blades.
Choose the right saw blade
Anyone who really wants to optimise the sawing process needs more than one saw blade. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution.
To help customers choose the right saw blade for their application, Bewo has developed the Cutting Wizard. This online selection tool provides advice based on the type of saw and the product, making it easy to select the correct saw blade.