How to Choose the Right Press Brake

Press brakes are an essential machine for bending metal. They’re used to create more complicated bends that other rollers aren’t generally equipped to handle. Many factors go into the operation of press brakes and choosing the right one can be difficult. To help you make the right choice, here are five essential attributes to keep in mind.

• Power Usage

You’ll need to keep how much power your press brake is going to use in the back of your mind as you’re shopping around. Your building may not support the amount of drain required by the press brake. This can be a problem, especially if a high-energy model is precisely what you need.

To rule out constraints or safety concerns, check your electrical system for compatibility first. Ensure that your electrical system supports your press brake's power demands, or find a way to increase your power supply.

• Installation Space and Height

Press brakes demand a significant amount of space, and they don't usually fit into smaller rooms. You may be tempted to opt for a smaller press brake to cut down on space consumption, but smaller isn’t always better—in fact, it can even be dangerous.

For special projects, larger machines are a must. They'll make your life easier, too, because they're more durable and rugged over time.

• Tooling and Other Accessories

Certain types of tooling may only be used if your machine is tall enough and strong enough for the job. Moreover, not all toolings and accessories share compatibility with every model. Rule out contraindications before you shop, so you aren't left purchasing new tools.

Ensuring that your new press brake has the necessary software and hardware to handle the toolings you use is also a must. This issue isn't typical, at least with newer machines, but it's important enough that all buyers should rule it out. Create a list of the types of toolings and unique parts you use on a regular basis; then, ask your seller to clarify specifications to see if they match. 

• Materials You’re Working With

The type of metal you use most often is a significant factor in choosing a press brake. You may work with all sorts of metals, but you should pick a machine that specializes in the material you use most often. Consider the thickness, length, and flange length of the material as well. Be aware of any other unique characteristics that go into the types of bends you frequently make. This may include tensile strength and the number of bends performed in an average project.

• Types of Axes

The type, and number, of axes you use for your project also matters. Generally speaking, you’ll gain more precision with your end product by having more axes available for use. A higher number of axes also helps the end user complete projects that initially sound easy, but require more complicated bends as you proceed. Determine the average needs of your client base to find out exactly what type of press brake you need.

Reach Out to Quantum Machinery Group for More Information

Press brakes are more complicated than other metal bending machines, so it's vital to ensure you buy the right type of equipment. You can only enjoy safe and timely operation if you use your new press brake correctly, in the right roles, for the right projects. Quantum Machinery Group specializes in providing industry-leading equipment that gives your company an edge.

What Is an Angle Roll?

Shaped metal is one of the most important goods that our country can produce. Our infrastructure and construction capabilities depend on precisely shaped metal as a standalone solution or as machinery components. “Angle roll,” as a term, is used often in the metalworking industry, but what exactly does it mean? We’ll clear up the misconceptions in this guide.

How Do Angle Rolls Work?

Angle rolls are machines that shape metal into a form that’s useful for a specific purpose. They turn a flat sheet of metal into angle irons, solid squares, pipes, round tubing, or hundreds of other shapes.

Each rolling machine is built to create specific shapes and sizes of metal components. Often, the company making the machine creates it “to spec,” meaning they build it to bend a specific type of metal.

This fact often means that industries use multiple rolling machines; the number of potential shapes and the wide variety of metals available are too much for one machine to handle.

Each angle roll machine has its own strengths and weaknesses. Which machine you choose depends on what you’re creating, what you need, and which features impact your project the most.

Capacity

Capacity is one of the most notable differences between these machines. Each angle roll has a strength yield rating, which tells you how much pressure the machine can put out at any given time. A rolling machine for shaping plate metal provides between 36,000 and 38,000 pounds per square inch. Steel mills, on the other hand, are built to handle tougher metal; their output is around 48,000 to 58,000 PSI. Manufacturers who seldomly work with tough metals shouldn’t invest in a steel mill grade roller.

Different Types of Metals

The types of metal an angle roll can process largely depends on its weight capacity. Certain machines are built to handle industrial-grade steel, while others can only process malleable metals, like stainless steel and copper alloys. Make a list of the materials you work with on a regular basis and consult an expert to figure out what type of machine is best for you.

Differences in the Rolls

The number of “rolls” an angle roll has is another important difference. “Rolls” are the round parts that spin to bend and shape the metal within the machine. Each has at least one pinching roll that’s used to feed the metal into the machine.

Angle rolls come in single-pinch and double-pinch varieties. Double-pinch rollers offer more precision and can handle longer sheets of metal, but they are the most expensive.

“Pressing rolls” are responsible for the bending process and come in far more varieties than angle rolls. To classify a particular angle roll machine, just combine the number of pinching and pressing rolls—that’s your classification. Common examples include four-roll double-pinch and three-roll initial pinch.

Learn More About the Many Angle Rolls from Quantum Machinery Group

Angle rolls come in many different shapes and sizes; each is specialized to create certain products or achieve a specific goal. If you need help finding the perfect angle roll for your company, contact Quantum Machinery Group. Our experts are always happy to speak to you and help you find the best rolling machine for you and your budget.

The Proper Way to Break In Your New Band Saw Blade

If you're in the market for a new Baileigh band saw blade, there are some measures you will need to take to make sure you get the full benefits of the blade. Band saws take on a lot of punishment as they’re used, so it’s important to take care of them. Properly breaking in a band saw is the first step you should take. 

Today, we’ll provide you with a few tips related to properly maintaining your band saw blade.

Shape Your Band Saw Blade Teeth

Band saws that are fresh off the assembly line come with razor-sharp teeth. They’re much sharper than what you would ordinarily need for your daily tasks. You need to hone these teeth before you begin regularly using your new saw to prevent them from being damaged. Shaping them to create a micro-fine radius keeps the saw from undergoing damage that you may not be able to see. Microscopic damage to the teeth can escalate into fractures and cracks in the blade.

Your first few cuts with the blade should be at a lower rate than your average use. As you go through the steps listed below, you should see chips forming on the teeth. These will strengthen the blade and give it a longer lifespan. You’ll gradually increase the cutting rate with each successive cut to create these chips. The speeds you use will depend on the material type of the band saw blade itself.

Easy-to-Cut Material

Saws made from metals like carbon steel and aluminum are considered easy to cut. Start off your project by running the normal surface feet per minute. Then, for 50-100 square inches of cutting, you’ll adjust the feed pressure to around half of the normal cutting rate. Increase the cutting rate two or three more times before reaching the normal cutting rate. Reduce the vibrations as much as possible to avoid hindering the formation of chips.

Hard-to-Cut Material

Hardened steel, tool steel, stainless steel, and nickel-based alloys are some examples of hard-to-cut materials. For these, you’ll also want to start at the normal surface feet per minute. You’ll also adjust the feet pressure but at a different rate. Change it to around three-fourths of the normal cutting rate for 25-75 inches of cutting material. Increase the rate for the next handful of cuts until you get to your normal speeds. Again, avoid as many vibrations along the blade as you can.

Hard-to-cut materials tend to harden quickly, so you’ll need a little more force with them. Materials that are sawed at lower speeds need more pressure applied when you’re breaking them in. The right amount of feed pressure needs to be applied when you break in the band saw to remove some excess material from the blade.

Reach Out to Quantum Machinery Group for High-Quality Band Saw Blades

Taking good care of your band saw blades will save you money and frustration in the long run. Need high-quality band saw blades that won’t break, even under intense pressure? Quantum Machinery Group can supply you with the finest band saw blades on the market.

How to Choose a Welding Table

Whether you’re an experienced professional or a beginner in welding, the quality of your welding table can significantly impact your project results. These work surfaces are built to withstand incredibly high temperatures and support high-power machinery.

Choosing the right table for your needs can be daunting, at times, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for or what to shop for in the first place. Today, we’ll cover some of the most common welding table styles. We’ll also explain how to find one which one which works best for you.

For Light-Duty Welders

Those who only occasionally take on small, simple welding projects have a much easier time finding a suitable welding table. A thin sheet of aluminum or steel placed on some particle board or a wooden table will do the trick. Plywood may be cheaper, but it isn’t ideal, due to how curved large pieces are. Consider finding a foldable table to hang on your garage wall if you’re low on work area.

There are two primary drawbacks of this basic setup. One is the inability to clamp anything to the table without damaging it tightly. These types of “jury-rigged” tables can’t withstand much heat. Avoid rosebud welding if at all possible. Otherwise, this is an inexpensive table that will suit almost any light-duty welding job.

Stainless Steel Welders

If you’re primarily working with stainless steel welds, you’re going to need a more specific setup. Stainless steel doesn’t react well with other metals, so you must purchase a table made from the same material if you want to prevent cross-contamination. Welding on a carbon steel table will produce iron particles that will cause your end product to rust.

If you’re making food industry equipment, your guidelines are even more specific. The law requires welders making food industry equipment to weld on a stainless-steel table only. Anything else can result in fines or even lawsuits.

Buy a Brand Name Table

Brand name tables are hands-down your best option if you are wanting your dream welding table as opposed to some wooden pallets and bricks. Their prices vary widely, depending on what you want, ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands. It’s a significant investment but is well worth the money!

We hope this guide has helped you decide on what type of welding table is right for you, but, if you’re still struggling to make a decision, reach out to us at Quantum Machinery Group. We’ll help you find a high-quality name brand table that won’t break the bank. We have a great selection of welding tables for welders of all experience levels.

How to Weld Stainless Steel

Welding stainless steel can be incredibly complex; it isn’t really anything like welding other metals. The core techniques used aren’t drastically different, but there are many differences with the setup and preparation for a job. If you’re just getting started or you’re finding yourself overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information available out there, we want to help you make sense of it all. Here are some essentials you need to know about how to weld stainless steel before you start a project for the metal.

Preparation

This is perhaps the most crucial step when it comes to working with stainless steel. Cleaning your work surface before any welding job is mission-critical, but it’s especially crucial with stainless steel. It doesn’t get along well with other metals, so any trace amounts of carbon steel will cause your end products to rust.

Only use tools such as hammers and brushes on stainless steel stables. Don’t use any stainless-steel brushes you’ve used to clean carbon steel, either, as they will result in cross-contamination. Avoid hammers and clamps, and don’t grind any carbon steel in the same area.

Next, it’s time to design your product. First, ensure your workplace is free of any carbon steel from tools or outside influences. Double-check to see if all the pieces are flush and fit together before you begin welding. Then determine the types of welds you’ll make for each component.

One great way to prevent heat damage is to clamp some brass or aluminum behind the weld area. These materials are heat sinks and will save your stainless steel if things don’t go according to plan.

Finally, go over any instructions that came with your supplies. Make sure you fully understand the process before you get started, to avoid mid-project issues.

Variations of Stainless Steel

There are five broad types of stainless steel. Each one has many subtle variations under that branch that differ in chemistry and how it’s worked with. The microstructure of each variety determines its strength, malleability, and other attributes. The first three types we’ll cover are the most common.

Austenitic is the most popular type of all stainless steels. It’s used in standard machining and fabrication settings. Hard martensitic is another alternative that’s used mainly in high-wear heavy-duty applications. Finally, ferritic stainless steel is the least expensive variation, which makes it ideal for many consumer products.

The two other types of stainless steel aren’t as widely utilized. Duplex is a mixture of austenite and ferrite microstructures. It’s much stronger than both of them, but it’s also much harder to work with. The last type is precipitation-hardening stainless steel, which mixes in various metals elements like niobium. Duplex and precipitation-hardening stainless steel are very strong, yet costly variations used in high-performance situations. They are typically used in the aerospace and processing industries.

Choose Your Filler Metals

Another essential consideration when working with stainless steel is which filler metals you’re using alongside it. You’ll need to know the base metal you’re working with before you choose the filler. It’s often as simple as using a metal with the same number as the base, but that depends on the type of weld you’re doing. In other cases, you’ll need to decide which filler metal is more compatible with the base and less likely to crack.

You need to do a little more prep before working with stainless steel, but the results you can achieve make the effort more than worthwhile. Need to access the best stainless steel on the market? When only the best will do, browse Quantum Machinery Group’s stock to find the exact materials you need.