8 Things You Don’t Want To Cut From Bridge Saws

Bridge saws are the essential saws in the manufacture of stone products. This large saw can provide precise cuts in slabs of material such as marble at a faster production rate than hand saws. When a company is considering the purchase of a bridge saw, they have several features to check in order to choose the best bridge saw.

1. Beams and Bridge

Since the saw mechanism moves along the bridge and the beams, these parts must be strong and stable. The pressure created by cutting the lift stone will be transferred to the bridge and girders. If the bridge and beams are not strong enough, they give way and the cut comes off. Although cast iron beams can add up to 2 tons of weight, it is better to have a bridge saw that is more precise and durable because it is stronger.

2. Oil bath

One life saving feature for a bridge saw will be the oil bath. Stone cutting produces a lot of dust and moisture that can be harmful to the machine’s rollers and bearings. An oil bath will provide a self-maintaining, lubricated chain saving maintenance costs that come with bridge saws that have open, dry channels. This oil bath will also provide smoother tracking to increase the accuracy of cuts.

3. Controls

Modern programmable controls make it easy for the worker to operate the bridge if it is easy to use. Look for a controller that allows for manual, semi-automatic, and fully automatic programming. The operation of the controller should be simple enough that anyone can figure it out pretty quickly. The best location for the controller is on a pendant pendant so the operator does not have to walk around to set up all the functions. This type of controller will make production much more efficient.

4. Water system

When cutting stone, the water system protects the stone from cracking due to overheating of the blades. The best water system for a bridge saw is an automatic valve that lets water out only when needed. This eliminates having to manually turn the water on or off from a distance that allows the water to run longer than necessary, increasing your water usage. Another cost saving feature to consider is a closed water system that recycles water through the machine and possibly through the powder booth.

5. Tilt table

For unlimited angle options, a hydraulic table that can be set at any angle is preferable rather than preset angles. Not only does it make loading the slab easy, but it also allows angles for any cut required.

6.Engine

Depending on the material you are cutting, you may want to choose a smaller bridge saw with a 10 to 15 horsepower motor. This is enough for stones up to 3 cm thick. However, a larger 20 horsepower motor is needed for thick materials like granite or marble.

7 blades

Ranging from 24 to 48 inches, the size of the blade will also depend on the material you intend to cut. The larger blades allow for faster cuts, but you will have to use the larger motor.

8.Other accessories

A laser can increase the accuracy of cuts by projecting a line of cut through the material to help align the bridge saw blade with the line of cut. A safety lockout device is essential to help prevent accidental injury to the operator. The warranty must also meet at least industry standards, which are one year for mechanical parts and labor and 90 days for electrical parts.

Consider all of these aspects before investing in a bridge saw. Turn to colleagues who are familiar with the industry to find references to reputable bridge saw manufacturers to consider.