What is a plate shearing machine?

A plate shearing machine is an industrial device used for linear shearing of metal plates. The relative motion of upper and lower blades applies shearing force to the plate, breaking it along a straight line. It is widely used in industries such as machinery manufacturing, sheet metal processing, automotive, shipbuilding, and construction.

1. Main Structure of a Plate Shearing Machine
Frame: Supports the entire structure and ensures stability (usually made of welded steel or cast iron).
Upper blade (movable blade): Attached to the slide and moves downward to perform the shearing operation.
Lower blade (fixed blade): Mounted on the frame workbench and remains stationary.
Hydraulic system/mechanical transmission: Provides shearing power (hydraulic shears are more common).
Plate pressure device: Presses the plate before shearing to prevent displacement.
Back gauge: Adjusts the shearing length to ensure dimensional accuracy.
Control system: Manual, foot pedal, or CNC operation.

2. Classification of shearing machines
(1) By driving mode
Mechanical shearing machine: driven by a motor and a flywheel and a clutch, with a simple structure but high impact (suitable for small and medium-sized plates).
Hydraulic shearing machine: driven by a hydraulic cylinder, with high shearing force and smooth operation (mainstream type, suitable for thick plates).
CNC shearing machine: CNC controlled, automatically adjusts the blade gap and the stop position, with high precision.
(2) By blade movement direction
Gate shearing machine: The upper blade moves vertically up and down (commonly used for shearing thick plates).
Swing shearing machine: The upper blade swings along an arc, with a light structure but low precision (gradually being eliminated).
(3) By purpose
Ordinary shearing machine: general metal plate shearing.
Precision shearing machine: high-precision processing (such as stainless steel, aluminum plates).
Angle shearing machine: specially used for shearing the edges and corners of plates.

3. Working principle
Positioning: The plate is placed on the workbench and positioned by the back stop.
Pressing: The pressing device presses down to fix the plate. Shearing: The upper blade moves downward, creating a shear force with the lower blade, breaking the sheet.
Reset: The upper blade returns, completing a shearing cycle.
Key Parameters:
Shear thickness (e.g., 6mm, 12mm, etc., depending on material strength).
Shear length (effective blade length, e.g., 2500mm, 4000mm).
Blade clearance: Adjustable based on sheet thickness (usually 5%-10% of the sheet thickness).

4. Precautions for using the shearing machine
(1) Preparation before operation
Check the equipment status
Confirm that the power supply, hydraulic system, and lubrication system are normal, and there is no oil leakage or air leakage.
Check whether the blade is sharp and has no chipping, and whether the blade gap is adjusted appropriately (usually 5% to 10% of the plate thickness).
Make sure that the pressing device and the back gauge are working properly, without looseness or offset.
Select appropriate shearing parameters
Confirm whether the plate material and thickness are within the allowable range of the shearing machine (overload shearing is strictly prohibited).
Adjust the back gauge position to ensure accurate shearing size.
Wear protective equipment
Operators should wear protective gloves, goggles, and safety shoes to avoid metal splashing or scratching the plate.

(2) Precautions during operation
Place the plate correctly
The plate should be placed stably on the workbench, ensuring that it fits in with the back gauge to avoid displacement during cutting.
It is forbidden to cut plates that are too wide, too thick, or have excessive hardness (such as hardened steel, carbide).
Keep a safe distance
Keep your hands away from the blade during operation and use a foot switch or two-handed operation button to prevent accidental touch.
It is strictly forbidden to hold the material or adjust the plate by hand during cutting. Special tools (such as hooks, magnetic devices) should be used.
Avoid continuous high-speed cutting
Long-term high-load operation will cause the blade to overheat and the hydraulic system to overload. The machine should be stopped and cooled appropriately.
Pay attention to abnormal conditions
If abnormal noise, vibration, or unstable oil pressure is found, the machine should be stopped and checked immediately. It can be used again after the fault is eliminated.

(3) Maintenance after operation
Clean the workbench
Remove the sheared waste and metal chips to prevent scratches on the equipment or affect the next operation.
Check the blade and lubrication
Check the blade wear regularly and grind or replace it if necessary.
Lubricate the key parts such as the guide rail and hydraulic cylinder to ensure smooth operation.
Turn off the power supply/hydraulic system
After the operation is completed, turn off the power supply and release the pressure of the hydraulic system to avoid long-term pressure operation of the equipment.

(4) Safety warning
Prohibitions:
It is forbidden to cut stacked multi-layer plates (which may cause the blade to crack).
It is forbidden to cut non-plate materials such as round steel and pipes (which may cause damage to the equipment).
It is forbidden to adjust the blade or the material stop device while the equipment is running.
It is forbidden for non-professionals to disassemble or repair the shearing machine.