Whether you own a small office doing contract work or have a manufacturing company with thousands of sq. ft. of space to cover, rotary cutters have come a long way in meeting the needs of their users. But as versatile as these machines are, there’s still plenty that they can’t do. So how do you know which type is right for your workflow? Let’s look at factors to help you make the right choice when buying a rotary cutter.
The material the cutter cuts through
Cuts made with a rotary cutter involve two cutting surfaces, a rotating cutting surface and a stationary cutting surface. This creates a lot of friction, which in turn causes heat to be generated. While friction is less of a problem in cold or warm weather, it can become a significant issue in cold or hot weather. The type of material you choose for your rotary cutter will depend on your preferences.
Power requirements
While most rotary cutters can be used at any speed between 1,500 and 35,000 RPMs, there are some machines that have a specific speed requirement. These will usually be marked on the machine, but you should check the owner’s manual for the correct speed. For example, a machine designed for repetitive tasks like cutting uniform shapes with a straight edge requires a higher speed. There are also machines that are designed to cut different materials at the same time, like a mitre Saw.
The shape of the cut
Most modern mills have a shape recognition feature, which allows the operator to specify the type of cut they wish to make. When making a cut, the machine will switch to that type of cut based on the design of the blade. This is called “shaping” the cut and is very useful when dealing with complex shapes like circles, Rectangles or other geometric designs. When the cut is completed, the machine will automatically return to the selected type of cut.
Functionality and usability
Functionality is the total effect that a machine has on the workplace. For example, does the machine perform the required function for which it was designed? As discussed above, a machine has to be able to do two things: shape the cut and perform the cut. But is it efficient? Efficiency is the amount of energy used for one task compared to the energy used for other tasks. Most modern machines are quite efficient, Housing a large cutter head and capable of making accurate cuts while using a minimal engine or human power.
The size of the cutting area
The size of the cutting area is very important because it dictates how much material you’re able to process at one time and how the machine works together with your other equipment. The one exception to this rule is when the job has to do with precision cutting, where having a smaller cutting area is good because you’re controlling more pieces at once. precision Most modern machines have an adjustable fence that can be set to a variety of different angles, providing you with the flexibility to make either a 90 or 270-degree cut.
Care and maintenance
After you buy your rotary cutter, it’s important to keep it nice and clean. Wipe it down with a soft cloth regularly to keep it from getting rusty. Keep it oiled, too, so it doesn’t slip and make unwanted sounds. Also, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations — some tools need to be oiled after each use, while others should be cleaned after every job.
Rotary cutters are a great way to cut various types of materials, like different metals, woods, plastics, cardboard, etc. But like any tool, you need to know how to choose the right one for your workflow. There are seven factors you need to keep in mind when buying a rotary cutter: the material being cut, the power requirements, the shape of the cut, the functionality and usability, how the machine is held and controlled, the size of the cutting area, and care and maintenance.
