Are Mechanical Shears Obsolete?

In Metal Fabricating a shear is one of the most basic and common machines found in a shop. These fabricating shears are powered either by manual, pneumatic, hydraulic or mechanical methods. While the simpler pneumatic and manual shears are only reserved for the lightest gage of materials (and found usually in only HVAC shops), the more common plate shears operate either as a Mechanical Shear or a Hydraulic Shear. Often the mechanical version of these drive mechanisms are considered “Old Technology, outdated and unsafe, but are they? 

In the short answer, NO. A mechanical shear is still a very viable and productive method of cutting and trimming material to size. Mechanical shears are still built today from companies like Cincinnati, Inc among others. So why the stigma of an “Obsolete” technology?  To answer that question it’s important to understand the relationship between the mechanical shear and its sister machine, the mechanical press brake. 

Difference Between Mechanical Shears and Press Brakes

Many people consider the argument of mechanical operation in shearing the same as the do in press brake forming, however they are distinctly different processes and a mechanical shear has some very unique advantages over its hydraulic cousins. In press brake bending the operation of the ram to go both Up AND Down was limited as the motor needed to be reversed to achieve this. However in shearing the ram does not need to be nudged and in fact a full straight stroke is almost always preferred.

In press brake forming the depth of the punch, speed and return was difficult to control with mechanical methods but was adapted easily when hydraulics were introduced to press brake designs. None of these factors equates to shearing machines or shearing operations and therefore a mechanically operated shear remained a very viable option for many shops. Lastly because hydraulics were also cheaper per ton of force, manufacturers eagerly incorporated them into their new designs for press brakes AND shears.  

Benefits of Mechanical Shears

The design of a mechanical shear is one that is naturally heavier, more durable and built to last much longer then the hydraulic drive systems of old. Their design is capable of absorbing much more shock, which by process, is exactly what shears do: very high tonnage and then an immediate release as the material finally yields to the blade.  Because of this phenomenon, hydraulic systems have to be built oversized and be specially designed with bypass/blowout valves to handle the shock of shearing. Further mechanical shearing systems are not prone to leaks, nor have oil cooling, oil filters, oil changes etc as do hydraulic systems. The benefits of using a mechanical shear are many but here are just a few of the highlights: 

• Speed: Mechanical Shears are faster in full cycle mode
• Simplicity: Mechanical Shears have simpler mechanisms to maintain and repair making up time longer and downtime shorter.
• Noise: Mechanical Shears are quieter as they do not have the constant running of hydraulics
• Heat: Without hydraulics mechanical shears run much cooler
• Green: No hydraulic Oil, No Hydraulic Heat (requiring cooling), No Hydraulic Oil Waste, No Filter Waste
• Safety: With modern devices such as light curtains, Lasers, Caging, Safety Mats and Safety Wires a Mechanical Shear is just as safe as any machine today. 

How to Acquire Mechanical Shearing Machines

If you're reading this on our website: www.southernfabsales.com your already in the best spot for finding quality mechanical shears as well as many other repurposed machine tools for manufacturing. A shortcut link HERE will take you right to our used Mechanical Shears as well as our Hydraulic Shear options too. If you are interested in reading more about shears a great place to start is this article entitled: An Introduction to Shears & Shearing

If you are interested in more articles like this, please check out our Blog on Shears Linked Here and sign up to be notified when these, or other articles are released. If you are in the market for or budgeting for a shear CLICK HERE to visit our available shear  pages. If you would like to submit articles for consideration or submit corrections please contact us HERE or by calling us directly at 1-813-444-4555 or via the web at www.southernfabsales.com