Why is it necessary to clean a plate shearing machine?

Plate shearing machines are core equipment in sheet metal processing, valued for their precise and efficient straight-line shearing capabilities. However, during operation, they generate a large amount of metal powder, debris, and oil. Regular and thorough cleaning of the plate shearing machine is a core technical requirement for ensuring its long-term stable operation.

1. Ensuring Shearing Quality

(1) Preventing Scratches on Sheet Metal Surfaces

Problem: Metal debris and dust scattered on the worktable, pressure feet, and blade support can penetrate or scratch the sheet metal surface during feeding or pressing.
Consequence: This leads to workpiece scrap, especially when processing stainless steel, aluminum plates, or coated sheets, resulting in particularly severe losses.

(2) Ensuring Positioning Accuracy

Problem: Accumulation of sludge and debris on the guide rails and lead screws of the back gauge and side gauges can hinder the smooth movement of the gauge blocks.
Consequence: This leads to inaccurate positioning, resulting in inconsistent dimensional deviations during mass production, severely impacting product quality and production efficiency.

(3) Ensuring Blade Clearance Stability

Problem: If dirt enters the blade clearance adjustment mechanism, it will affect the accuracy of the adjustment and may even provide incorrect resistance feedback.
Consequence: Inability to set the optimal blade clearance leads to increased burrs on the sheared surface, distorted cuts, or accelerated blade wear.

2. Maintaining Equipment Performance

Shearing machines are heavy-duty equipment, and the lubrication of their moving parts is crucial.

(1) Protecting Guide Rails and Lead Screws

Problem: Guide rails and lead screws are precision moving parts of the equipment. Metal dust mixed with lubricating oil will form an abrasive "slurry."
Consequence: This sludge will drastically accelerate the wear of guide rails and lead screws, leading to increased clearance, unstable movement, inaccurate positioning, and extremely high maintenance and replacement costs.

(2) Ensuring Hydraulic System Cleanliness

Problem: For hydraulic shearing machines, dust accumulated near the hydraulic cylinders and valve blocks may enter the hydraulic oil through the oil tank vent or during maintenance. Consequences: Contamination of hydraulic oil leads to hydraulic valve jamming and malfunction, accelerates wear on oil pumps and seals, and causes system pressure instability, increased noise, and other malfunctions.

3. Ensure Operational Safety

Safety is the bottom line of production; dirty and messy equipment hides huge risks.

(1) Prevent Electrical Faults

Problem: Metal dust is conductive. It accumulates on electrical cabinets, limit switches, and motor terminals.
Consequences: It can easily cause electrical short circuits and false signal triggering. In severe cases, it may burn out the control system or even cause a fire. This is one of the most dangerous risks.

(2) Avoid Mechanical Injuries

Problem: Debris on the workbench and guide rails may prevent the protective cover from closing properly or cause it to jam. Oil stains can cause slippage in the work area and on the pedals.
Consequences: It increases the risk of operators slipping and getting scratched when loading, unloading, and adjusting equipment. A clean equipment environment is an important manifestation of safety awareness.

4. How to Properly Clean a Shearing Machine?

Use appropriate tools: Use an air gun (pressure should not be too high), a brush, cotton cloth, etc. Avoid striking with metal tools that may generate sparks.

Key Cleaning Areas:
Worktable and Guide Rails: Remove all debris.
Blade and Tool Holder Area: Clean carefully to prevent cuts.
Back gauge system: Clean the guide rails and lead screw, and re-lubricate.
Hydraulic Components: Wipe away oil and dust from the surfaces of cylinders and valve blocks.
Electrical Components: With power off, gently blow away dust from the electrical cabinet with an air gun.
Establish a Cleaning Routine: It is recommended to perform a simple wipe-down after each shift and a thorough cleaning weekly or bi-weekly.