Design and Development of Pneumatic Sheet Metal Cutting Machine

Abstract

A Pneumatic sheet metal cutting machine, is a mechanism designed to cut metal sheets at a quick pace, based on the inputs given by the operator, using a switch. The machine consists of a cutter blade system, a double acting pneumatic cylinder held over the cutter blade system, an air compressor, a pneumatic valve to regulate the air flow to the pneumatic cylinder from the compressor, and a frame to hold the machine in position. Cutting and shearing technology used nowadays, includes laser cutting, hydraulic cutters, among others. These machines are costly, with expensive maintenance. Small and medium scale industries cannot tend to afford this technology. Currently basic sheet metal cutting operations are incorporated in such industries including basic handheld sheet cutters. This is not accurate in terms of the dimensions of the final output and poses safety hazards to the operator too. Thus, the novelty of this machine is that it provides an automated system to cut aluminium sheet metal, while making sure that the system is compact and portable, which has otherwise not been implemented in industries. Pneumatic sheet metal cutters find a tremendous scope in such industries owing to their simple and easy working, low cost and ensured safety with a good degree of dimensional accuracy. The main aim of this study is to research and innovate a safe and efficient way to cut aluminium sheets at a fast and regular pace, as compared to manual cutting, using a pneumatic system.