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The Importance of Shearing Machine Blades and How to Choose Them

Nov.06.2025

Shearing machine blades are one of the core components of a shearing machine,directly determining its shearing performance, processing quality, productionefficiency, and equipment life. Blade quality plays a crucial role in productionoutcomes in industries such as sheet metal processing, machinery manufacturing,automotive, home appliance manufacturing, and construction. Let's take a closerlook at the importance of shearing machine blades.

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1. The Importance of Shear Blades

1) Key Factors Determining Shear Quality

A sharp blade with appropriate hardness ensures a smooth, burr-free, andcrack-free shear surface.

Poor blade material or severe wear will result in:

  • Excessive shear burrs

  • Deformed plate edges

  • High workpiece scrap rates

Directly impacting the quality of subsequent processing steps such aswelding, bending, and painting.

2) Impact on Equipment Stability

Low-wear blades lack strength:

  • Easily break during shearing.

  • This causes significant vibration and abnormal impact.

  • In severe cases, it can damage critical components such as the blade holderand roller.

High-quality blades effectively protect the shear structure and extend itsservice life.

3) Determining Production Efficiency and Operating Costs

Durable blades extend replacement cycles and reduce downtime. Sharp bladesreduce shear resistance and increase cutting speed, thereby improving productioncapacity.

Frequent blade replacements increase:

  • Production downtime

  • Labor and commissioning costs

  • Repair costs

4) Directly linked to company performance

Although high-quality shear blades may cost more to purchase, they:

  • Excellent cutting performance, reducing scrap. Long service life, savingreplacement costs.

  • Reducing equipment failures and maintenance costs.

  • It is a key component with a one-time investment and long-termbenefits.

5) Meeting the needs of different processes and materials

Different materials (carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, high-strengthsteel, etc.), thicknesses, and processes (cold shearing, hot shearing) requirethe appropriate blade material.

Rational selection ensures cutting accuracy and reliability, meetingcustomers' personalized processing needs.

Comparison of the role of the blade in the entire shearing system:

Components MainFunctions Isit important?
Shearingmachine main frame Providessupport and transmission Important
Hydraulicsystem/drive system Providescutting force Important
Blades(upper and lower blades) Directlycompletes the cutting action Corecomponent
Controlsystem Controlscutting rhythm and length Important
Positioningdevice Preciselyfeeds materials Minorimportance

The shearing machine blade is the direct execution component of the "cutting"action. Without a good blade, no matter how advanced other systems are, thefinal processing effect cannot be guaranteed.

2. Consequences of Ignoring Blade Quality

Ignoring shear blade quality often leads to a series of serious consequences,not only affecting shearing performance but also causing equipment damage,reduced production efficiency, and even safety hazards. The main consequences ofignoring blade quality are as follows:

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1) Key Factors Determining Shear Quality

  • Low sharpness and insufficient hardness: Cuts are intermittent and uneven,requiring repeated cutting.

  • Excessive blade wear: Large burrs and a rough cut surface.

  • Breakage or chipping of the blade: Sheet edges tear, bend, and becomescrapped.

  • Incompatibility between the blade material and the material being cut:Sheet material sticks, cracks, and shear deformation.

Result: Seriously impacts product quality, leading to rework, returns, andcustomer complaints.

2) Increased Risk of Equipment Failure and Damage

  • Poor-quality blades lack toughness and easily become brittle and break,transferring the shear shock to the machine body.

  • Prolonged use of worn blades can subject the equipment to abnormalloads.

Uneven or deformed blade edges can cause:

  • Uneven force on the blade holder

  • Irregular wear on the piston rod or blade shaft

  • Abnormal heating in the hydraulic system

Result: Shortened equipment life, increased repair costs, and, in severecases, equipment downtime.

3) Significantly Reduced Productivity

  • Frequent Blade Replacements: Increased downtime and maintenance costs

  • High Shear Resistance: Slower cutting speeds and reduced productioncapacity

  • Frequent Quality Issues: Require secondary processing or scrap, slowingproduction

Result: Limited production capacity, delayed delivery, and impacted customersatisfaction and company reputation.

4) Increased Manufacturing Costs

  • Low-quality blades, while inexpensive, have short lifespans and requirefrequent replacement.

  • This leads to increased maintenance, material waste, and increased energyconsumption.

  • Indirect costs can even exceed the investment in high-quality blades.

Result: "Saving money on the blades, losing money on the production line"—acostly mistake.

5) Increased Safety Risks

  • A broken blade can fly and cause injury.

  • Uncontrolled shearing can cause the sheet to slip or rebound, endangeringoperator safety.

  • Unstable or deformed blades increase the risk of accidents.

Result: Safety violations can lead to legal liability and even productionsuspension.

Recommendation:

  • It is best to choose a reputable brand or blade supplier with qualitycertifications.

  • Select blades of appropriate material and specifications based on thematerial being cut and the equipment being used. Check blade wear regularly andreplace them promptly.

  • Avoid using worn blades to minimize losses.

3. How to Choose the Right Shear Blade?

Choosing the right shear blade is key to ensuring shear quality, improvingproduction efficiency, and extending equipment life. Shear blade selectionrequires comprehensive consideration of factors such as the shearing material,shear thickness, frequency of use, and equipment type. The following is asystematic and practical guide to selecting shear blades:

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1) Identify the material being cut.

Different materials require different blade performance, which is the firststep in selecting a blade.

Selection Analysis Table:

MaterialsShearing RecommendedBlade Materials Features
Ordinarycarbon steel (Q235, Q195) T10,9CrSi Lowcost, moderate hardness
Low-and medium-alloy steel (Q345, 16Mn) 6CrW2Si,Cr12MoV Highstrength, excellent wear resistance
Stainlesssteel (304, 201, etc.) Cr12MoV,SKD11 Highhardness, corrosion resistance
High-strengthsteel, silicon steel sheet SKD11,Powder Metallurgy Steel (ASP23) Resistschipping and wear
Copper,aluminum, aluminum alloys T8,T10 Nomaterial damage, low cost
Hotshearing (hot-rolled plate) H13 Resiststhermal fatigue and high-temperature shear

2) Determine the shearing thickness and frequency

Selection Analysis Table:

  • For thin plates (<3mm), conventional blades such as T10 and 9CrSi can beused.

  • For medium and thick plates (3-8mm), Cr12MoV is recommended.

  • For thick or high-strength plates (>8mm), high-strength materials suchas SKD11 and ASP23 are recommended.

Frequency of Use:

  • Low-frequency shearing → High cost-effectiveness: T10 or 9CrSi can beused.

  • Medium-frequency shearing → High cost-effectiveness: 6CrW2Si or Cr12MoV canbe used.

  • For high-frequency, high-strength shearing → Wear-resistant SKD11 or powdermetallurgy steel is more suitable.

3) Matching the shearing machine model

Shearing machine types Recommended Blade Materials Description
Mechanical shearing machine T10, 9CrSi Affordable materials sufficient for the job
Hydraulic shearing machine Cr12MoV, 6CrW2Si Shear stability and long life required
CNC shearing machine SKD11, ASP23 High precision and good stability required
Hot shearing machine H13 High temperature resistance and thermal crack resistancerequired

4) Considering both cost and lifespan

Materials cost life Applications
T10 ★★ Generalshearing, low-frequency applications
9CrSi ★★ ★★★ Medium-frequencyapplications for ordinary steel plates
Cr12MoV ★★★ ★★★★ Stainlesssteel, heavy-duty shearing
SKD11 ★★★★ ★★★★★ High-strengthsteel, precision shearing
ASP23 ★★★★★ ★★★★★★ High-endmanufacturing, high-volume production

Recommendation:

If your short-term budget is limited, choose cost-effective materials. Forlong-term, stable production, choose durable materials.

4. Summary

1) The Importance of Shear Blades

  • Determines Shear Quality: Affects the Smoothness and Accuracy of theCutting Edge

  • Protecting the Equipment Structure: Extends Machine Life and ReducesFailures

  • Improves Productivity: Reduces Blade Changes and Increases Shear Speed

  • Reduced Overall Cost: Reduces Hidden Costs Such as Downtime, Scrap, andRepairs

  • Adapts to Diverse Needs: Adapts to Shearing Tasks of Different Materialsand Processes

2) Practical Selection Steps

  • Confirms the Type and Hardness of the Shearing Material

  • Confirms the Shearing Thickness Range

  • Confirms the Shearing Frequency and Continuous Operating Time

  • Confirms the Shearing Machine Model and Operating Method

  • Compares Blade Life to Budgeted Cost

  • Selects Products from Reputable, Heat-Treated, and Quality-AssuredManufacturers


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