Bandsaw Feed Systems are the pressures applied to the bandsaw blade by the materials that are being cut.
Feed Rate is an important cutting variable that is defined as being the amount of material (in square inches) that the saw is set to cut in one minute, S.I.P.M. (Square Inches Per Minute).
The feed system should not be erratic, and the bandsaw movement should be smooth and steady.
Different Methods of Feed System
- Gravity — the bandsaw falls under the head’s weight and has movable weight which allows for adjustment of the feed pressure
- Gravity/Spring — similar to gravity feed, but with the use of springs to balance the head’s weight to adjust the feed pressure
- Cylinder Bleed Off — a valve is used to regulate the downward movement that can be set to slowly bleed out oil in the cylinder, slowing down the head fall
- Air Over Hydraulic — uses the bandsaw head’s weight plus assistance from air pressure pushing the head down onto the material. Just like the cylinder, a valve is used to regulate the downward movement, which can be set to slowly bleed oil out of the cylinder, slowing down the head fall
- Hydraulic Feed — the use of the bandsaw head’s weight with the help of oil pressure
- Constant Feed — the cutting rate is set and remains constant regardless of what shape is being cut
