Descripción
ANCHU Shear 3/8" x 10' CNC US — Hydraulic Guillotine Shear
A robust CNC hydraulic guillotine shear engineered for North American fabrication shops. Designed for accurate, repeatable straight-line cuts on sheet and plate up to 3/8" thick (mild steel rating), this machine is built for reliable performance in demanding production environments.
Max thickness (rating): 3/8" mild steel* · Cutting length: 10' (approx. 3200 mm) · Backgauge: Motorized, programmable (CNC/NC)
*Thickness rating applies to mild steel in a defined tensile strength range. Capacity for stainless, high-strength steel, or other alloys must be verified per application.
Key advantages for US buyers
- Handles up to 3/8" mild steel (approx. 10 mm) at full 10' width for a large portion of plate and sheet work in general fabrication, machinery, and structural component manufacturing.
- 10' cutting length matches common US sheet formats (e.g., 4' × 8', 5' × 10'), reducing secondary operations and maximizing material utilization.
- CNC/NC-controlled backgauge provides programmable dimensions and job storage for high-mix production and repeat batches.
- Heavy welded steel frame, precision-guided ram, and hydraulic hold-downs work together to minimize plate movement, ensuring straight, consistent cuts and stable edge quality.
- Front squaring arm, support arms, and side gauges simplify plate alignment and handling for operators, reducing setup time and improving cut-to-cut repeatability.
- Integrates naturally with press brakes, laser cutters, and material handling systems as the “cutting front end” of a modern fabrication cell.
Technical overview
Max cutting thickness (rating): 3/8" (≈ 10 mm) mild steel
Thickness rating typically defined for mild steel within a specified tensile strength range. Capacity for stainless, high-strength steels, or other alloys decreases as tensile strength increases. For borderline jobs, thickness and material must be considered together, not independently.
Max cutting length: 10' (approx. 3200 mm)
Full-width cuts on standard US plate and sheet sizes. Shorter blanks can be “multi-up” nested across the width, subject to hold-down spacing and scrap constraints.
Backgauge: Motorized, programmable (CNC/NC)
Motorized backgauge with programmable position; typical stroke in this class is example: 24–40" (600–1000 mm). Actual stroke and accuracy depend on final configuration. Designed for repeatable batch shearing and quick changeovers between cut lengths.
Controls: CNC/NC digital control
Digital control for backgauge (and, where applicable, cut counting, stroke mode, and additional parameters). Stores programs for repeat jobs, allows quick adjustment of cut length, stroke mode, and often stroke limit for faster cycles on shorter sheets.
Shear type: Hydraulic guillotine
Hydraulically driven upper blade moving in a near-straight vertical path. Guillotine geometry helps maintain consistent rake angle and blade clearance for uniform cut quality across the full length.
Frame: Heavy welded steel construction
High-stiffness welded frame engineered to absorb cutting forces with minimal deflection. Frame rigidity is critical for maintaining straightness, squareness, and long-term repeatability under production duty cycles.
Hold-down system: Hydraulic hold-down cylinders
Multiple hydraulic hold-downs along the cutting length clamp the plate before and during cutting, keeping the material flat and preventing movement or “creep” under the blade. Pressure typically adjustable to match thickness and material type.
Power: 480 V, 3-phase (standard)
Standard configuration for North American industrial plants. Other voltages and frequencies (e.g., 208 V, 600 V, 50 Hz) can be configured; phase converters and transformers are supported for single-phase sites via ANCHU PowerPhase solutions where appropriate.
Safety: Integrated safety features
Hydraulic hold-downs, front and side guards, emergency stop circuits, and interlocked access points designed to align with standard industrial safety practices. Final compliance depends on installation standards and local regulations.
Extended specification details
The values below represent typical ranges for a 3/8" × 10' hydraulic guillotine shear in this class. Replace example ranges with exact certified values from the final ANCHU spec sheet before publishing.
Strokes per minute (example at full stroke): ≈ 8–14 spm
Typical cutting rate at maximum stroke length. Higher stroke rates may be achievable for thinner materials with reduced stroke settings. Actual values depend on hydraulic configuration and controller settings.
Rake angle (example): ≈ 1–3° adjustable
Rake angle affects cutting force, plate twist, and edge quality. Lower rake improves squareness but increases tonnage; higher rake can reduce force at the cost of more twist on narrower strips. Final adjustment depends on thickness, material, and cut width.
Blade clearance adjustment: manual or motorized
Blade gap must be adjusted to suit material thickness and type. Undersized clearance accelerates blade wear and can cause poor edges; oversized clearance increases burr and deformation. Many applications target a clearance on the order of a few percent of material thickness; exact setting depends on the material.
Number of hold-downs (example class): multiple cylinders along 10'
Distributed clamping points along the table length maintain plate flatness and prevent slip during cutting. Actual count and spacing are defined on the mechanical drawing and depend on machine width and design.
Front squaring arm length (example): ≈ 39–60"
Squaring arm with scale assists in aligning the leading edge of the plate for accurate 90° cuts. The exact length and feature set (tilting stops, T-slots, etc.) depend on configuration and options.
Support arms: front support arms with stops
Front support arms help carry large or thin plates, reducing sag and improving cut straightness. Typically include stops or adjustable fingers for repeat positioning of parts and strips.
Main motor power (example): ≈ 15–30 hp (11–22 kW)
Typical installed motor power for the hydraulic pump in this capacity range. Exact horsepower depends on desired stroke rate, hydraulic circuit, and duty cycle expectations.
Hydraulic system: conventional hydraulic power unit
Hydraulic power pack with pump, valves, filtration, and tank sized for 3/8" × 10' cutting duty. Cooling and filtration capacity must match production duty; final design may offer optional cooling upgrades for high-duty environments.
Backgauge travel (example): ≈ 24–40" (600–1000 mm)
Defines the maximum programmable cut depth from the blades. Longer travel allows larger blanks and more flexibility in nesting strategies. Confirm exact travel and minimum distance in the spec sheet.
Backgauge accuracy (example): up to ±0.004" (±0.1 mm)
Typical repeatability and positional accuracy under normal conditions with proper calibration. Final guaranteed values depend on backgauge design, feedback hardware, and installation quality.
Table height (example): ≈ 30–33" (760–840 mm)
Height from floor to table surface. Influences ergonomics, loading methods, and compatibility with infeed/outfeed conveyors or material handling solutions.
Machine weight (example): ≈ 18,000–30,000 lb
Typical weight range for a heavy-duty 3/8" × 10' guillotine shear. Foundation requirements and floor loading must be checked against the machine drawing and facility specs.
Important: All “example” values are indicative for this machine class and are not guaranteed. Always refer to the official ANCHU quotation, certified spec sheet, and installation drawing when making engineering or safety decisions.
Cutting performance & material guidelines
Shear capacity is governed by material thickness, material strength, cut length, and rake angle. The 3/8" rating applies to mild steel in a specific tensile strength range at full 10' length. For higher-strength materials or special alloys, thickness and/or cut length must be reduced.
Approximate shear force (conceptual):
F = τ × t × L
- F – required shear force
- τ – shear strength of the material
- t – material thickness
- L – length of cut
In practice, τ is related to tensile strength (for many steels, shear strength is a fraction of tensile strength). Engineers should use material datasheets and apply a safety factor to stay below the machine’s rated capacity.
Illustrative material guidelines
| Material | Relative capacity vs 3/8" rating | Typical recommendation* |
|---|---|---|
| Mild steel (baseline) | Reference case | Up to 3/8" at full 10' per rating, subject to tensile strength and duty cycle |
| Stainless steel | Higher strength than mild | Reduce thickness and/or cut length; confirm with engineering |
| High-strength low-alloy (HSLA) | Significantly higher strength | Consider notably lower thickness/length or higher-capacity shear |
| Aluminum | Lower strength | 3/8" is typically conservative; focus on burr control and edge quality |
*Guidelines only. Actual capability must be verified using specific material properties, duty cycle, and the official rating curves provided by ANCHU.
What this means in practice
- The machine is optimized for mild steel in the 3/8" class at full length and thinner materials at high volume.
- For stainless and high-strength steels, 3/8" may only be possible at much shorter lengths or not at all.
- Blade clearance and rake angle must be tuned for material and thickness to control burr, twist, and edge distortion.
- For continuous heavy-duty cutting near the upper limit, verify duty cycle and consider higher-capacity equipment.
Mechanical design & cutting geometry
The ANCHU 3/8" × 10' hydraulic guillotine shear is built around a stiff frame, guided blade beam, and a controlled cutting geometry. This combination is key to straight cuts, predictable edge quality, and long blade life.
- Welded monolithic frame: Designed to absorb and distribute cutting loads with minimal deflection, preserving cut squareness and parallelism even under heavy-duty production cycles.
- Guided upper blade beam: Guides ensure near-vertical motion and consistent rake angle across the cutting width, reducing variation in cut quality along the length.
- Adjustable rake angle (where equipped): Allows tuning between lower force / more twist and higher force / less twist depending on part geometry and strip width.
- Adjustable blade clearance: Operators can optimize clearance for each thickness and material to balance burr, edge deformation, and blade wear.
- Hydraulic hold-downs: Clamp the sheet firmly before blade engagement, preventing material from lifting or sliding and improving overall cut consistency.
Control system, backgauge & automation
CNC/NC control
- Digital entry and storage of cut lengths and job programs.
- Batch programming for repeated production jobs with multiple lengths.
- Cut counter and basic diagnostics (per controller version).
- Often supports stroke limit reduction for faster cycles on shorter sheets.
- Exact feature set depends on the specific control model supplied with the machine.
Backgauge capabilities
- Motorized backgauge for consistent cut lengths without manual measuring.
- Program storage for frequent lengths and common blank sizes.
- Typical travel and accuracy sufficient for most fabrication blanks; see extended specs for example ranges.
- Integration options for conveyor systems or stacking solutions in higher-automation cells.
Capabilities & typical applications
The ANCHU 3/8" × 10' CNC shear is a core asset for shops that rely on consistent, high-quality shearing as part of their cutting and forming workflow. It is well suited to both high-mix job shops and OEMs with defined part families.
- Cutting blanks for press brake forming, laser cutting, punching, or welding prep.
- Producing panels, brackets, frames, and structural components from plate.
- Supporting high-mix, low-volume contract work as well as repeat production runs.
- Serving markets such as general metal fabrication, machinery, HVAC, and general manufacturing.
- Working as the cutting front-end for ANCHU press brakes, lasers, and plate handling systems.
Implementation & support for US shops
Successful shear installation is about more than just the machine. ANCHU supports US job shops and OEMs from engineering review through commissioning and training.
- Pre-installation review: power availability, floor loading, material flow, and safety zoning.
- Application support: review of material types, thickness range, and dominant part families.
- Guidance on best practices for blade clearance, rake angle settings, and cut sequencing.
- Training on setup, operation, daily checks, and basic maintenance tasks.
Next step: send us your sample part drawings or specifications (material, thickness, lengths, and volumes), and we’ll confirm fit, estimated cycle time, and configuration recommendations for your application.
Engineering notes & technical FAQ
This section addresses the questions engineers and technical buyers typically ask before approving a shear: how the 3/8" rating should be interpreted, what affects cut quality, and what data is needed for validation.
How should I interpret the 3/8" mild steel rating?
The 3/8" rating is usually defined for mild steel at full 10' cutting length within a specified tensile strength range. In practice:
- Higher-strength steels require more force, reducing allowable thickness or cut length.
- Stainless and HSLA materials may require derating for thickness and/or length.
- When operating near the rating, duty cycle and blade condition become critical factors.
What role do rake angle and blade clearance play?
Rake angle and blade clearance are key tuning parameters:
- Lower rake angle: better squareness and less twist, but higher cutting force and stress.
- Higher rake angle: reduced force but more twist, especially on narrow strips.
- Correct blade clearance: minimizes burr and deformation while protecting blade life.
- Incorrect clearance: too small causes excessive wear and edge tearing; too large increases burr and roll-over.
What backgauge accuracy and cut tolerance can I expect?
Final tolerances depend on machine setup, blade condition, and material handling, but as a guideline:
- Backgauge repeatability and accuracy are typically within a few thousandths of an inch in this class.
- Real-world cut length tolerances must consider plate camber, operator technique, and handling.
- For critical tight tolerances, parts may still require secondary processes (e.g., machining or grinding).
How do I know if my material and thickness are suitable?
To validate an application, compare required shear force against the machine rating and consider duty cycle:
- Use material shear strength (not just tensile) in your calculations.
- Check the combination of thickness, tensile strength, and cut length, not thickness alone.
- For near-limit or aggressive duty cycles, consult ANCHU engineering with your specific material data.
What information does ANCHU need to review my application?
To provide a clear yes/no answer and recommend settings, ANCHU typically needs:
- Material type(s), grade(s), and thickness range.
- Typical sheet/plate sizes and cut patterns (drawings, DXF, or basic layouts).
- Required tolerances on length and squareness.
- Expected volumes and duty cycle (parts per hour, shifts per day).
- Any special requirements (e.g., stainless focus, HSLA focus, downstream automation).
With this information, ANCHU can check capacity, recommend blade clearances and rake settings, and confirm whether the 3/8" × 10' CNC shear is the right fit or whether a different capacity is more appropriate.
