Descripción
ANCHU Shear 3/8" x 13' US — Hydraulic Guillotine Shear
Heavy-duty hydraulic guillotine shear engineered for precise, straight-line cutting of sheet and plate up to 3/8" thick and 13' long. Designed for North American fabrication shops that demand accuracy, reliability, and productivity in plate processing environments where uptime and repeatability are critical.
Max thickness (rating): 3/8" mild steel* · Cutting length: 13' (≈ 4000 mm) · Backgauge: Motorized, digital/NC
*Thickness rating applies to mild steel within a defined tensile strength range, at full 13' cutting length and specified duty cycle. Capacity for stainless, HSLA, or other alloys must be evaluated per application.
Key advantages for US buyers
- Shears up to 3/8" mild steel (≈ 10 mm) across a full 13' length, covering a wide range of plate and sheet jobs for fabrication, machinery, and structural components.
- 13' working width accommodates long panels, structural members, and nested blanks that exceed the capacity of 10' machines, reducing the need for secondary trimming operations.
- Motorized backgauge with digital/NC control provides repeatable, accurate cut lengths and supports batch programming for high-mix and repeat production.
- Heavy welded steel frame and hydraulic hold-downs maintain rigidity and stable clamping along the full 13' length, supporting consistent cut quality and long service life.
- Front squaring arm, support arms, and side gauges simplify plate positioning, improve part accuracy, and reduce operator variability in demanding production environments.
- Integrated safety features—including foot pedal with emergency stop, safety interlocks, and guarding—support shop safety practices and operator confidence.
Technical overview
Max cutting thickness (rating): 3/8" mild steel (≈ 10 mm)
Rated for 3/8" mild steel at full 13' length. Actual capacity must account for material tensile strength: stainless, HSLA, and other high-strength materials require reduced thickness and/or cut length. For near-limit duty, thickness, length, and strength should be evaluated together.
Max cutting length: 13' (≈ 4000 mm)
Extended bed supports long plates, panels, and structural members used in HVAC, construction, OEM machinery, and large fabrications. Enables one-pass shearing of longer parts and nested layouts on oversized sheets.
Backgauge: Motorized, digital/NC control
NC backgauge with typical stroke in the example range of 24–40" provides programmable cut lengths and batch cutting. Exact stroke, positioning accuracy, and repeatability depend on the ANCHU backgauge configuration selected at order.
Shear type: Hydraulic guillotine
Hydraulically driven upper blade beam with near-vertical motion. Guillotine geometry maintains controlled rake angle and blade clearance along the full 13' cutting width for uniform cutting conditions and edge quality.
Construction: Heavy welded steel frame
High-stiffness welded frame designed to resist deflection under the higher forces associated with 3/8" × 13' shearing. Structural rigidity is key for maintaining squareness and straightness on long parts over the life of the machine.
Hold-downs: Hydraulic, distributed along cutting line
Multiple hydraulic hold-downs clamp the plate prior to cutting, preventing lift and slip and improving both safety and dimensional consistency on long, heavy sheets.
Power: Three-phase 480 V class (other voltages on request)
Standard power configuration for North American industrial sites. Integration with ANCHU PowerPhase phase converters and transformers allows use in shops with only single-phase 240 V, subject to power and duty cycle analysis.
Safety: Foot pedal with emergency stop, front & side guards, safety interlocks
Safety functions and guarding designed to support common industrial safety practices. Final compliance depends on site-specific risk assessment, guarding layout, and operating procedures.
Extended specification details
The values below represent typical ranges for a 3/8" × 13' hydraulic guillotine shear in this capacity class. Replace all “example” ranges with exact ANCHU certified specs before publishing or using for engineering decisions.
Strokes per minute (example at full stroke): ≈ 6–10 spm
Representative cutting rate at maximum stroke on heavy material. Longer length and higher forces typically reduce full-stroke spm compared to 10' machines. For thinner sheets and reduced stroke, higher rates may be achievable depending on hydraulic sizing and control parameters.
Rake angle (example): ≈ 1–3°
Rake angle affects cutting force, strip twist, and edge quality. Lower angles improve squareness and reduce twist but increase cutting force; higher angles reduce force while potentially increasing twist on narrow strips, especially noticeable at 13' length. Guillotine geometry keeps the effective rake consistent along the cut.
Blade clearance adjustment: manual or motorized (per configuration)
Adjustable blade clearance allows tuning to thickness and material type. Undersized clearance increases force, accelerates blade wear, and can tear edges; oversized clearance increases burr and roll-over. ANCHU provides recommended starting clearances by material and thickness.
Hold-down system: multiple hydraulic cylinders across 13' (example)
Distributed hold-downs maintain plate flatness and prevent movement across the extended bed. Exact cylinder count, spacing, and available pressure range are defined in the ANCHU mechanical documentation for the specific configuration.
Front squaring arm length (example): ≈ 39–60"
Squaring arm with scale and stops for accurate 90° alignment of the leading edge. Length and features (T-slots, flip-up stops, hardened stops) depend on option level chosen at order.
Support arms: front support arms with stops
Support arms assist in carrying long or thin sheets, improving straightness and operator ergonomics. Built-in stops/fingers provide repeatable plate positioning, especially important on long 13' blanks.
Main motor power (example): ≈ 25–50 hp (18–37 kW)
Typical installed motor power for a heavy-duty 3/8" × 13' guillotine shear. Exact horsepower depends on required stroke rate, hydraulic pump configuration, and expected duty cycle near rated capacity.
Hydraulic system: conventional hydraulic power unit
Hydraulic power pack with pump, valves, accumulator (if equipped), tank, filtration, and optional cooling. Oil volume, cooling capacity, and filtration performance must match the planned duty cycle and ambient conditions in the shop environment, especially for continuous heavy-duty plate work.
Backgauge travel (example): ≈ 24–40" (600–1000 mm)
Defines maximum programmable distance from the blades. Longer travel enables larger blank sizes and more flexible nesting strategies for 13' plates. Confirm exact travel range and minimum distance from the knives in the ANCHU spec sheet for this model.
Backgauge accuracy (example): up to ±0.004" (±0.1 mm)
Representative repeatability and positional accuracy under proper installation and calibration. Guaranteed values depend on the specific backgauge design and NC control delivered with the machine.
Table height (example): ≈ 30–33" (760–840 mm)
Distance from floor to table surface. Impacts operator ergonomics and compatibility with roller conveyors, infeed tables, and other handling equipment in the plate processing cell.
Machine weight (example): ≈ 24,000–40,000 lb
Typical weight range for a heavy-duty 3/8" × 13' guillotine shear. Floor loading, anchoring, and handling requirements must be checked against the ANCHU installation drawing and facility structural data.
Important: All “example” values are indicative and not guaranteed for every configuration. Always refer to the official ANCHU quotation, certified spec sheet, and installation drawing for engineering and safety decisions.
Cutting performance & material guidelines
The 3/8" × 13' rating is defined for mild steel at a specified tensile strength and duty cycle. Real-world capability depends on thickness, material strength, cut length, rake angle, blade clearance, and how often the machine operates near maximum capacity.
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 include an appropriate safety factor, particularly when shearing heavy plate at full 13' length or in sustained high-duty production.
Illustrative material guidelines
| Material | Relative to 3/8" rating | Typical recommendation* |
|---|---|---|
| Mild steel (baseline) | Reference case | Up to 3/8" at full 13' length per rating, when material tensile strength and duty cycle are within specified limits and machine settings (rake, clearance, hold-down pressure) are correctly tuned. |
| Stainless steel | Higher strength than mild steel | Reduce allowable thickness and/or cut length. For borderline or continuous-duty applications, confirm with ANCHU engineering using actual stainless grade data. |
| High-strength low-alloy (HSLA) | Significantly higher strength | Consider lower thickness/length combinations or a higher-capacity shear, especially if cutting near maximum thickness is frequent. |
| Aluminum | Lower strength | 3/8" is generally conservative on force; focus on proper blade clearance, support, and handling to control burr, roll-over, and edge deformation. |
*Guidelines only. Actual limits must be verified against ANCHU capacity charts, specific material properties, and your planned duty cycle and sequence mix.
What this means in practice
- The machine targets heavier mild steel plate up to 3/8" at full 13' length, as well as thinner materials at higher throughput, for structural and large-panel work.
- When operating near rated thickness and length, thickness, material strength, and duty cycle must be considered together rather than thickness alone.
- Proper tuning of rake angle, blade clearance, and hold-down pressure is essential to achieve acceptable edge quality, control twist, and protect blades.
- For continuous near-limit applications, proactive maintenance (blade management, hydraulic health, alignment) and possibly higher-capacity equipment should be considered.
Mechanical design & cutting geometry
The ANCHU Shear 3/8" × 13' US uses a hydraulic guillotine architecture with a rigid welded frame and controlled cutting geometry to deliver straight, repeatable cuts on longer, heavier plates.
- Welded monolithic frame: Engineered to distribute cutting loads and limit deflection over the full 13' cutting length, helping maintain squareness and straightness across long parts and nested layouts.
- Guillotine blade motion: Upper blade beam travels in a guided, near-vertical path, maintaining controlled rake and clearance along the entire cutting line to stabilize cut conditions and edge quality.
- Rake angle behavior: Effective rake angle is chosen to balance cutting force, twist, and edge quality for the target thickness range; changes to rake and clearance can be used to fine-tune behavior for specific materials and strip widths.
- Blade clearance adjustment: Adjustable blade gap allows operators to optimize for each combination of material and thickness, balancing burr, roll-over, and blade life.
- Hydraulic hold-downs: Multiple cylinders clamp plates securely before the cut, preventing lift or creep and improving cut accuracy and operator safety, especially on long workpieces.
Control system, backgauge & automation
Digital/NC control
- Numeric input of cut lengths and batch quantities via NC interface.
- Program storage for repetitive cut patterns and standard blank sizes.
- Cut counters and basic diagnostics (exact feature set depends on NC model supplied).
- Often supports stroke limit reduction for shorter plates, improving throughput when the full stroke is not required at 13' length.
- Final control capabilities depend on the digital/NC package selected with the ANCHU shear.
Backgauge system
- Motorized backgauge with NC control for consistent, repeatable cut lengths.
- Stroke range sized for long-plate applications and nested blanks (see extended spec examples).
- Program storage for common part families, reducing setup time on repeat orders.
- Integration options with conveyors, stackers, or part sorting systems for higher automation levels.
Capabilities & typical applications
This ANCHU hydraulic guillotine shear is a core solution for shops requiring consistent, high-quality straight cuts on plate and sheet prior to bending, laser cutting, punching, or welding. It integrates seamlessly into plate-processing lines alongside press brakes, lasers, and material handling systems.
- Cutting steel, stainless, and aluminum sheets up to 3/8" thick (within rated capacity) for structural, machinery, and OEM applications.
- Processing long panels, frames, cabinets, and structural blanks up to 13' in length, reducing splices and weld seams in long components.
- Serving job shops, contract manufacturers, OEMs, and dedicated metal fabrication cells that handle larger-format plate.
- Supporting high-mix, low-volume production as well as repeat batch runs with stored NC programs.
- Pre-cutting blanks for press brake forming, laser cutting, punching, or welding operations in a unified plate-processing workflow.
Implementation & support for US shops
ANCHU works closely with US job shops, OEMs, and integrators to ensure every 3/8" × 13' shear is correctly specified, installed, and integrated into the plate-processing workflow.
- Pre-installation review of power, floor loading, access, and material flow paths.
- Application review of material types, thickness ranges, and primary part families to confirm fit.
- Guidance on NC backgauge programming, batch setup, safety procedures, and shearing best practices.
- Coordination of training and commissioning to minimize downtime and accelerate ramp-up.
- Ongoing support for integration with press brakes, lasers, and downstream processes as production evolves.
Next step: send us your typical part sizes and material specs (grade, thickness, sheet length, volumes), and we’ll confirm fit, estimate cycle times, and recommend the optimal configuration for your shearing workflow.
Engineering notes & technical FAQ
This section addresses common questions from engineers and technical buyers: how to interpret the 3/8" × 13' rating, what drives cut quality on long plates, and what information is needed for an engineering review.
How should I interpret the 3/8" mild steel rating at 13'?
The 3/8" rating at 13' is defined for mild steel at a specified tensile strength range and duty cycle. In practice:
- Higher-strength materials (stainless, HSLA) require more force and must be derated for thickness and/or cut length compared to mild steel.
- Continuous operation at maximum thickness and full 13' length increases stress on the hydraulic and structural systems and accelerates blade wear.
- Duty cycle—how often you cut near the limit—is as important as the peak capacity number when sizing the machine.
What role do rake angle and blade clearance play in cut quality?
Rake angle and blade clearance are critical tuning parameters, especially on a long-bed shear:
- Lower rake → improved squareness and reduced twist, but higher cutting force and stress.
- Higher rake → lower force, but potentially more twist on narrow strips, more noticeable across 13'.
- Correct blade clearance → minimized burr, controlled roll-over, and longer blade life.
- Incorrect clearance → too tight causes excessive wear and can tear the edge; too loose increases burr, roll-over, and distortion along the length.
What backgauge accuracy and cut tolerances are realistic?
Achievable tolerances combine machine capability, material behavior, and handling:
- Backgauge repeatability is typically within a few thousandths of an inch in this class, under proper installation and calibration.
- Plate camber, residual stress, and handling of long parts impact final length and squareness across 13'.
- Very tight dimensional or edge requirements may still require secondary processes such as machining or grinding.
How can I confirm my materials are within safe 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 variability in material properties, not just nominal values.
- For applications near the rating—especially with stainless or HSLA—consult ANCHU engineering for a formal check.
What information does ANCHU need for an engineering review?
To provide a clear capacity assessment and setting recommendations, ANCHU typically requests:
- Material type(s), grade(s), thickness range, and mechanical properties (if available).
- Sheet/plate sizes, typical cut patterns, and any critical part drawings or DXF files.
- Required tolerances on 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 focus on stainless/HSLA or integration with automated handling and cells.
With this information, ANCHU can confirm whether the 3/8" × 13' hydraulic guillotine shear is the right fit or whether an alternative capacity or configuration is better aligned with your workload.
