Potentials for the optimization of sawing processes using the example of bandsawing machines

Sawing processes are the focus of process optimization in order to reduce material costs and save energy resources. Bandsawing machines allow fast processes but produce a low surface quality and great cutting losses of raw material up to now. The wear of saw blades is significant due to the cutting conditions as well as the thin and unstable tool design. Electromechanical drives can substitute inefficient hydraulic systems for workpiece clamping and for the prestressing of saw blades, and provide the precondition for autonomous process control. In order to adjust the sawing parameters during the process, the simultaneous identification of process stability is necessary. In this work, influences on the process stability were investigated by experiment and simulation in order to develop a stability criterion as a function of different process parameters. The focus here was on the behaviour of the saw blade in the kerf. A great influence of saw blade tension could be observed.