Descripción
ANCHU Shear 1/2" x 13' US — Hydraulic Guillotine Shear
Heavy-duty hydraulic guillotine shear engineered for North American fabrication shops handling up to 1/2" mild steel and 13-foot plate widths. Designed for reliable, repeatable shearing in demanding production environments where thick plate, long parts, and consistent output are critical.
Max thickness (rating): 1/2" mild steel* · Cutting length: 13' (≈ 4000 mm) · Backgauge: Motorized, digital/NC
*Thickness rating applies to mild steel within a specified tensile strength range, at full 13' length and defined duty cycle. Capacity for stainless, HSLA, or other alloys must be evaluated per application.
Key advantages for US buyers
- Handles up to 1/2" mild steel (≈ 12 mm) at 13' length — a heavy-plate capacity suitable for structural, machinery, and large fabrication work.
- 13' working width accommodates oversized plates, long structural members, and nested blanks that exceed standard 10' machine capacity, reducing splices and secondary trimming.
- Motorized backgauge with digital/NC control enables precise, repeatable part lengths and supports batch cutting for high-mix or repeat production environments.
- Heavy welded steel frame and hydraulic hold-downs maintain rigidity and secure clamping across the full 13' width, supporting straight cuts and consistent dimensional accuracy on thick plate.
- Front squaring arm, support arms, and side gauges provide mechanical support and gauging for large plates, improving setup efficiency and reducing operator variability.
- Integrated safety features—including foot pedal with emergency stop, front/side guards, and safety interlocks— support safe operation and alignment with US industrial safety practices.
- Compatible with 480 V three-phase power as standard, with options for phase conversion or alternate voltages to match site power constraints.
Technical overview
Max cutting thickness (rating): 1/2" mild steel (≈ 12 mm)
Capacity defined for mild steel at full 13' cutting length. Actual limits depend on tensile strength, cut length, and duty cycle. High-strength materials (stainless, HSLA) require reduced thickness and/or length compared to baseline mild steel.
Max cutting length: 13' (≈ 4000 mm)
Extended bed supports full-size plate and long parts for structural, fabrication, and OEM applications. Enables one-pass cutting of larger components and nested layouts, minimizing handling and secondary cuts.
Backgauge: Motorized, digital/NC, typical stroke 24–40" (example)
Motorized backgauge with NC control for programmable cut lengths and batch processing. Exact travel, positional accuracy, and repeatability depend on the specific ANCHU backgauge configuration supplied with the machine.
Shear type: Hydraulic guillotine
Hydraulically driven upper blade beam in a near-vertical path. Guillotine geometry maintains controlled rake angle and clearance along the full 13' cutting line, providing predictable cutting behavior on heavy plate.
Frame & construction: Heavy welded steel
Rigid welded frame engineered to handle the high forces associated with 1/2" × 13' plate shearing and to minimize deflection over the extended bed length, supporting long-term dimensional accuracy and cut quality.
Hold-down system: Hydraulic, distributed along cutting line
Multiple hydraulic hold-down cylinders clamp the plate securely before cutting, preventing lift and slip. Proper clamping is essential for safe operation and consistent length/squareness on long heavy plates.
Power: 480 V three-phase (other voltages on request)
Standard US industrial power configuration. Machine can be integrated with ANCHU PowerPhase converters and transformers for shops with only 240 V single-phase, subject to power and duty-cycle analysis.
Safety: Foot pedal with emergency stop, front/side guards, safety interlocks
Safety interlocks and guarding designed to support common industrial safety practices. Final compliance depends on site-specific guarding, procedures, and risk assessments.
Extended specification details
The values below represent typical ranges for a 1/2" × 13' heavy-duty hydraulic guillotine shear in this class. Replace all “example” values with exact ANCHU certified specifications before publishing or using for engineering decisions.
Strokes per minute (example at full stroke): ≈ 5–8 spm
Representative cutting rate at maximum stroke on 1/2" plate at full 13' length. For thinner materials and reduced stroke, higher stroke rates may be achievable. Actual values depend on hydraulic sizing and NC control settings for your configuration.
Rake angle (example): ≈ 1–3°
Rake angle impacts cutting force, strip twist, and edge quality. Lower rake angles improve squareness and reduce twist but increase force; higher angles reduce force at the expense of potentially more twist, especially noticeable on narrow strips across a 13' bed. Guillotine geometry maintains a controlled effective rake along the cut.
Blade clearance adjustment: manual or motorized (per configuration)
Adjustable blade clearance allows tuning for each material/thickness combination. Undersized clearance raises cutting forces and accelerates blade wear; oversized clearance increases burr height and roll-over. ANCHU supplies recommended starting clearances by material and thickness.
Hold-down system (example): multiple hydraulic cylinders across 13'
Distributed hold-downs maintain plate flatness and prevent slip across the extended 13' cutting length. Exact cylinder count, spacing, and clamping pressure range are specified in ANCHU mechanical documentation for the chosen configuration.
Front squaring arm length (example): ≈ 39–60"
Squaring arm with integrated scale and stops for 90° alignment of the plate leading edge. Length and additional features (T-slots, flip-up stops, hardened stops) depend on options selected at order time.
Support arms: front support arms with stops
Support arms help carry large, heavy, or thin plates, reducing sag and operator strain. Stops or gauging fingers support repeatable front-edge positioning, particularly important for long 13' blanks and nested layouts.
Main motor power (example): ≈ 35–70 hp (26–52 kW)
Typical installed motor power for a 1/2" × 13' heavy-duty guillotine shear. Exact horsepower depends on required stroke rate, hydraulic pump configuration, and expected duty cycle at or near rated capacity.
Hydraulic system: conventional hydraulic power unit
Hydraulic power pack with pump, valves, reservoir, filtration, and cooling (if equipped). Oil volume, cooling capacity, and filtration specification must match heavy-plate duty and the ambient temperature conditions in your facility, especially for multi-shift or continuous use.
Backgauge travel (example): ≈ 24–40" (600–1000 mm)
Defines maximum programmable distance from the blades. Longer backgauge travel supports a wider range of blank sizes and nesting strategies for 13' plates. Confirm exact travel and minimum distance to knives in the ANCHU spec sheet for this model.
Backgauge accuracy (example): up to ±0.004" (±0.1 mm)
Representative repeatability and positioning accuracy under proper installation and calibration. Guaranteed values depend on the specific backgauge hardware and NC control supplied with the machine in your configuration.
Table height (example): ≈ 30–33" (760–840 mm)
Height from floor to table surface, influencing operator ergonomics and compatibility with roller tables, conveyors, and external handling equipment used in the plate-processing line.
Machine weight (example): ≈ 30,000–55,000 lb
Typical weight range for a heavy-duty 1/2" × 13' guillotine shear. Floor loading, anchoring, and rigging requirements must be confirmed against ANCHU installation drawings and the facility’s structural data.
Important: All “example” values above are indicative and not guaranteed for every configuration. Always rely on the official ANCHU quotation, certified spec sheet, and installation drawing for engineering and safety decisions.
Cutting performance & material guidelines
The 1/2" × 13' rating is defined for mild steel at a specified tensile strength and duty cycle. Real-world performance depends on thickness, material strength, cut length, rake angle, blade clearance, and how often you operate near the rated conditions.
Conceptual shear force relationship:
F = τ × t × L
- F – required shear force
- τ – shear strength of the material
- t – material thickness
- L – length of cut (13' at full-width rating)
For many steels, shear strength is on the order of ~0.6 × tensile strength (Rm). Engineers should use actual material data and apply an appropriate safety factor, particularly when shearing thick plate at full 13' width or under sustained-duty operation.
Illustrative material guidelines
| Material | Relative to 1/2" rating | Typical recommendation* |
|---|---|---|
| Mild steel (baseline) | Reference case | Up to 1/2" at full 13' length per rating, when tensile strength and duty cycle are within specified limits and settings (rake, clearance, hold-down pressure) are correctly tuned. |
| Stainless steel | Higher strength than mild | Reduce allowable thickness and/or cut length. For borderline or continuous-duty applications, confirm with ANCHU engineering using actual stainless grade data and expected duty cycle. |
| High-strength low-alloy (HSLA) | Significantly higher strength | Consider reduced thickness and/or length, or evaluate a higher-capacity shear if HSLA is a large portion of the workload near nominal 1/2" thickness. |
| Aluminum | Lower strength | 1/2" is usually conservative in terms of force; focus on proper blade clearance, support, and handling to control burr and edge deformation on softer material. |
*Guidelines only. Actual limits must be verified against ANCHU capacity charts, the specific material datasheets, and your planned duty cycle and job mix.
What this means in practice
- The machine targets heavy mild steel plate up to 1/2" at full 13' length, plus thinner materials at higher throughput, for structural and large-plate fabrication.
- Near rated conditions, thickness, material strength, and duty cycle must be evaluated together; the 1/2" nominal rating alone is not sufficient to define safe capacity for all alloys.
- Correct tuning of rake angle, blade clearance, and hold-down pressure is essential to achieve acceptable edge quality and blade life while controlling twist on long parts.
- For continuous near-limit operation, plan for proactive maintenance (blade management, hydraulic conditioning, alignment checks) and consider whether a higher-capacity machine is appropriate.
Mechanical design & cutting geometry
The ANCHU Shear 1/2" × 13' US uses a heavy-duty hydraulic guillotine architecture with a rigid welded frame and controlled cutting geometry to deliver straight, repeatable cuts on thick, long plates.
- Welded monolithic frame: Engineered to distribute high cutting loads and minimize deflection over the 13' cutting length, supporting squareness and straightness on long structural and plate components.
- Guillotine blade motion: Upper blade beam travels in a guided near-vertical path, maintaining consistent rake angle and clearance along the cutting line for predictable cut behavior across the full bed.
- Rake angle behavior: Effective rake angle is chosen to balance cutting force, twist, and edge quality for the target thickness range; adjustments in rake and clearance can be used to fine-tune results for specific materials and strip widths.
- Blade clearance adjustment: Adjustable gap between upper and lower blades allows operators to match clearance to material and thickness, reducing burr and protecting blade life.
- Hydraulic hold-downs: Multiple cylinders clamp the plate before the cut, preventing lifting and slip, which is critical for safety and dimensional consistency on heavy 13' plates.
Control system, backgauge & automation
Digital/NC control
- Numeric entry of cut lengths and batch quantities via NC interface.
- Program storage for repeat jobs and standard blank sizes.
- Cut counters and basic diagnostics (feature set depends on the NC controller model supplied).
- Often supports stroke shortening for shorter plates, improving cycle time when full 13' stroke is not required.
- Final functionality depends on the chosen NC package integrated with the ANCHU shear configuration.
Backgauge system
- Motorized backgauge with NC control for consistent, repeatable cut lengths.
- Stroke range sized for typical heavy-plate blanks and nested layouts (see extended spec examples).
- Program storage for common part families to reduce setup time on recurring work.
- Integration options with conveyors, plate tables, or stacking systems for higher levels of automation in plate-processing cells.
Capabilities & typical applications
This ANCHU hydraulic guillotine shear is a core asset for straight-line cutting of heavy sheet and plate, serving fabrication shops, OEM production lines, and plate-processing cells. It is commonly paired with press brakes, laser/plasma cutters, and plate storage systems to streamline material flow.
- Cutting structural plate, blanks, and panels up to 1/2" thick and 13' long within rated material limits.
- Preparing material for bending, laser cutting, plasma cutting, punching, or welding in heavy fabrication workflows.
- Ideal for job shops, contract manufacturers, and OEMs handling high-mix, low-volume or repeat plate production.
- Supporting fabrication of frames, columns, beams, cabinets, gussets, and large components for machinery, construction, and general metalwork.
- Serving as the front-end shearing station in integrated plate-processing cells with automated handling.
Implementation & support for US shops
ANCHU works closely with US fabrication shops and OEMs to ensure smooth installation and optimal integration of the 1/2" × 13' shear into heavy-plate workflows.
- Pre-installation review of power, floor loading, access, and material handling routes.
- Application review of plate sizes, thickness ranges, and part families to confirm machine capacity fit.
- Guidance on NC backgauge programming, batch setup, shearing strategies, and safety procedures.
- Coordination of training and commissioning to minimize downtime and accelerate productivity.
- Ongoing support for integration with press brakes, lasers, and downstream processes as production needs evolve.
Next step: send us your sample parts or production requirements (material grade, thickness, plate size, volumes), and we’ll confirm capacity, estimate cycle times, and recommend the right configuration for your shop.
Engineering notes & technical FAQ
This section addresses common questions from engineers and technical buyers: how to interpret the 1/2" × 13' rating, what affects cut quality on long heavy plate, and what information is needed for an engineering review.
How should I interpret the 1/2" mild steel rating at 13'?
The 1/2" × 13' rating is defined for mild steel within a specified tensile strength band at full length and a defined duty cycle. In practice:
- Higher-strength materials (stainless, HSLA) require more shear force and must be derated in thickness and/or cut length relative to mild steel.
- Continuous or frequent cutting at maximum thickness and length increases loading on hydraulic and structural systems and accelerates blade wear.
- Duty cycle (how often you operate at or near the rated condition) is as important as the peak capacity value when evaluating suitability.
What role do rake angle and blade clearance play in cut quality?
Rake angle and blade clearance are primary tuning parameters, especially on 1/2" plate at 13' length:
- Lower rake → improved squareness and reduced twist, but higher cutting force and system stress.
- Higher rake → lower force, but more potential twist on narrow strips and small blanks across 13'.
- Correct blade clearance → minimized burr and roll-over, plus improved blade life.
- Incorrect clearance → too tight can cause tearing and rapid wear; too loose increases burr and distortion along the entire cut length.
What backgauge accuracy and cut tolerances are realistic?
Real-world tolerances reflect both machine capability and material behavior:
- Backgauge repeatability is typically within a few thousandths of an inch in this class, assuming proper installation, calibration, and maintenance.
- Plate camber, residual stress, and handling of long heavy parts influence final length and squareness over 13'.
- Tightest tolerances or critical edge requirements may still need secondary machining, grinding, or edge prep.
How can I confirm my materials are within safe working limits?
To validate a specific material/thickness/length combination, engineers should:
- Use actual shear or tensile strength values from material datasheets to estimate required force via F = τ × t × L, with an appropriate safety factor.
- Consider maximum thickness tolerance and variation in material properties, not just nominal thickness.
- For stainless, HSLA, and other high-strength alloys near the limit, consult ANCHU engineering for a formal capacity and duty-cycle review.
What information does ANCHU need for an engineering review?
To provide a clear capacity assessment and configuration recommendation, ANCHU typically requests:
- Material type(s), grade(s), thickness range, and mechanical properties (if available).
- Plate sizes, representative cut patterns, and any critical drawings or DXF files.
- Required tolerances for length, squareness, and edge condition, including downstream process needs.
- Expected production volumes and duty cycle: cuts per hour, shifts per day, and mix of thicknesses.
- Any special requirements, such as primary focus on stainless/HSLA or integration with automated lines.
With this information, ANCHU can confirm whether the 1/2" × 13' hydraulic guillotine shear is the right fit or whether a different capacity or configuration is better aligned with your workload and growth plans.
