BAND SAW BLADES. LIFETIME OF A BLADE. FACTORS OF INFLUENCE
The band knife machines are used for cutting materials such as: cotton, foam for mattresses and upholstery, wool, silk, linen, synthetic fabrics, leather, cardboard, insulation, air filters. They can be used for a wide range of applications in the bedding and furniture, packaging, medical, insulation and automotive industries to cut a perfect contour.
Prolonging the life of a band saw blade can lead to enormous savings potential for a company. The high quality of material, but also the quality of the sharpening and welding are crucial for obtaining a high-quality blade. There are several influence factors that determine or influence the lifetime of a band knife.
APPLICATIONS
Specific applications may require specialized blade features, so keep in mind your intended use. For every machine, for every application you must choose the correct profile for the blade. There is a large variety of materials that can be cut with band saw blades. It is obvious that for cutting a soft material or an abrasive one, there are different blades to be used, in terms of blade material, shape and profile.
BLADE SPEED. CUTTING SPEED
Blade speed refers to the rate at which a band saw blade moves around the wheels during operation, typically measured in m/min. The appropriate blade speed depends on the material being cut and the blade type. Cutting speed is the linear movement speed of the material block to be cut with respect to a fix element of the machine. Since it is a measure of travel in time, the cutting speed is measured in m/min.
FEED RATE
The optimal feed rate is determined by the TPI on the blade, the band speed, and the amount of material removed by each tooth. TPI is defined as the distance from the tip of one tooth to the tip of the next tooth. This is usually quoted in teeth per inch. The larger the tooth, the faster the cut, because the tooth has a large whole and has a greater capacity to transport large amounts of cut material.
TENSION OF THE BLADE
Tension needs to be ideally set in order to achieve straight cuts. Using a tension meter will help. Most blades work best at tension set to a minimum of 2.5 bar up to 3.2 bar. Proper band speed will influence blade life and needs adherence throughout the cutting process.








