Bandsaw Overview
The bandsaw is a popular power tool used for making straight, curved, and angled cuts in various materials, including wood, aluminum, and composite materials like plexiglas.
- It features a metal band with teeth that moves continuously in a loop around two or three rotating wheels.
- The tabletop tilts to a maximum of 45 degrees for angled cuts.
- The bandsaw is made of sturdy cast iron and can cut pieces up to 12 inches thick and divide a board up to 40 inches wide into two equal sections.
Manufacturing Process
The bandsaw manufacturer purchases cast iron from a nearby foundry and uses a rotary grinder to make the surface smooth and shiny.
- The lower bearing case is a key component that links the motor to the lower of two cast iron wheels.
- Workers mount the lower wheel on one end of the bearing case shaft and the drive pulley on the opposite end.
- The motor rotates the drive pulley, turning the shaft and consequently the lower wheel, which moves the saw blade looped around the lower and upper wheels.
Assembly and Quality Control
Workers position a guide over the first wheel and slip a rubber band onto the wheel to ensure the blade moves smoothly and without slipping.
- The rubber edge is coated with contact cement adhesive and carefully pulled over the guide and pressed against the glued surface of the wheel.
- The same procedure is repeated for the second wheel.
- The bandsaw steel cabinet is welded and painted, and the various components, including the support assembly for the upper wheel, are installed.
Final Check and Quality Assurance
Workers use a jig as a precision guide to align the wheels, which must be perfectly balanced to keep the saw blade stable while cutting.
- The blade is looped around the two wheels and adjusted to the correct tautness using a tension gauge.
- Bearings are mounted above the tabletop to guide the blade and prevent it from wobbling or drifting offline.
- A final check is performed to ensure everything runs smoothly and the bandsaw is up to speed when it comes to cutting construction materials.
Key Vocabulary
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Cast Iron | A strong, durable metal alloy used in construction and manufacturing. | The bandsaw is made of sturdy cast iron, allowing it to cut through thick materials. |
| Rotary Grinder | A power tool used to smooth and polish metal surfaces. | The manufacturer uses a rotary grinder to make the cast iron surface smooth and shiny. |
| Bearing Case | A component that houses and supports the bearings in a machine. | The lower bearing case links the motor to the lower cast iron wheel. |
| Drive Pulley | A wheel with a grooved rim that transmits power from one shaft to another. | The motor rotates the drive pulley, turning the shaft and the lower wheel. |
| Tautness | The state of being tightly stretched or strained. | The blade is adjusted to the correct tautness using a tension gauge. |
| Tension Gauge | A device used to measure the tension or tightness of a material or object. | A tension gauge is used to adjust the blade to the correct tautness. |
| Jig | A device used to hold or guide a tool or object in a specific position or alignment. | A jig is used as a precision guide to align the wheels. |
| Composite Materials | Materials made from a combination of two or more different substances. | The bandsaw can cut through composite materials like plexiglas. |
| Sturdy | Strong and able to withstand rough handling or harsh conditions. | The bandsaw is made of sturdy cast iron, allowing it to cut through thick materials. |
| Welded | Joined or fused together using heat or pressure. | The bandsaw steel cabinet is welded and painted. |
| Adhesive | A substance used to stick or bond two surfaces together. | The rubber edge is coated with contact cement adhesive. |
| Precision | The quality of being exact and accurate. | A jig is used as a precision guide to align the wheels. |
| Drifting | Moving slowly and steadily in a particular direction, often unintentionally. | Bearings are mounted to prevent the blade from drifting offline. |
| Wobbling | Moving unsteadily from side to side, often in an unpredictable manner. | Bearings are mounted to prevent the blade from wobbling. |
How It’s Made: Band Saws 🎓
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Vocabulary Quiz
Grammar Focus
Grammar Focus: The Passive Voice in Technical Descriptions
The passive voice is often used in technical descriptions to focus on the action or process rather than the person performing the action. For example, in the context of the bandsaw manufacturing process, sentences like ‘The bandsaw is made of sturdy cast iron’ or ‘The surface is made smooth and shiny’ illustrate the use of the passive voice to emphasize the product or the process over the manufacturer or worker.
