Choosing Between Guillotine Shears and Swing Beam Shears: A Comprehensive Comparative Analysis

I. Guillotine Shears

1. Guillotine shears belong to the second generation of shearing machines.

2. Guillotine shears have high precision in cutting thin sheets.

• The clearance between the blades of the swing beam and guillotine shears is both 0.04mm. However, the clearance between the swing arm and swing frame of swing beam machines cannot be eliminated, resulting in a cutting precision error generally above 0.1mm when combined with the blade clearance. In contrast, the rear guide rail of the guillotine shear’s blade holder is pressed by a spring pad, ensuring no clearance between the front and rear guide rails. As a result, the combined precision error of clearance and blade is maintained at around 0.04mm, enabling smoother cuts without burrs. In simple terms, the cutting method of swing beam shears is akin to scissors, while the guillotine shears’ cutting method is akin to a nail clipper.
• Due to the arc-shaped structure of the swing beam shear’s blade holder, it relies on point contact along the arc to ensure the straightness of the cutting material, which is not as precise as the guillotine shear that relies on the straightness of its blade holder.
• The blade lifespan of guillotine shears is twice that of swing beam shears. This is because the motion trajectory of the swing beam shear’s blade holder is arc-shaped, which only allows for diamond-shaped cross-section blades to be used, utilizing two acute-angle cutting edges for cutting. In contrast, the blade holder of the guillotine shear moves in a straight line vertically, allowing for four-sided cutting on the upper and lower blade surfaces. Therefore, the blade lifespan of guillotine shears is twice as long as that of swing beam shears.
• Over time, the components of shearing machines, such as the blade holder, may become weakened and deformed. In swing beam shears, due to the non-alignment of the force point and blade edge, and the greater distance between them, the phenomenon of blade deflection is more pronounced, resulting in burrs at the cutting site. On the other hand, guillotine shears, with the cylinder, blade holder, and blade aligned in the same straight line and moving perpendicular to the lower blade edge, are less prone to deformation.

3. Cutting Angle:

Guillotine shears adjust the cutting angle by controlling the oil volume of two cylinders: increasing or decreasing the cutting angle to speed up cutting. Because guillotine shears can adjust the cutting angle, the cut material is less prone to twisting and deforming, ensuring the precision of the workpiece.

The above discussion is all about cutting thin sheets!

In terms of structure, swing beam shears are relatively simple. If high precision is not required, choosing swing beam shears is the right choice.

II. Swing Beam Shears

• Application Scenario: Many salespeople may suggest “use a swing beam for thinner materials and a guillotine for thicker ones,” but this is a misconception. For cutting steel plates over 20mm, guillotine shears have no advantage at all. If you have friends in related industries, you can ask them; plates over 20mm are mostly cut using swing beam shears. Those who buy guillotine shears are mostly misled by suppliers.
• Maintenance: Swing beam shears are cheaper and easier to maintain. Many customers immediately dismiss swing beam shears when encountering problems with the cylinders. This requires purchasing from brands with certain strength to ensure after-sales service. When you prioritize cheap prices during purchase, you may end up spending more money to fix the problems later!
• Cutting Angle: The cutting angle of swing beam shears is fixed, and the cutting speed cannot be adjusted. When cutting thicknesses less than 20mm, swing beam shears cannot adjust the cutting angle, resulting in twisted materials, especially when cutting narrower materials, the deformation is more significant.

III. Conclusion

This article provides a comprehensive comparative analysis of guillotine shears and swing beam shears, including structural characteristics, cutting precision, blade lifespan, cutting angle, etc. Considering factors such as structural complexity, cost, susceptibility to damage, adjustability of cutting angle, blade lifespan, and cutting precision, the following conclusions can be drawn:

• Guillotine shears have a complex structure and higher cost, but they offer high cutting precision, longer blade lifespan, and adjustable cutting angles.
• Swing beam shears have a simple structure, lower price, and are easier to maintain, but they have lower cutting precision, shorter blade lifespan, and fixed cutting angles.
• For applications requiring high cutting precision and long lifespan, guillotine shears are suitable, while for those where precision and lifespan are not critical, and cost-effectiveness and ease of maintenance are prioritized, swing beam shears may be more suitable.

In summary, the choice between guillotine shears and swing beam shears depends on specific requirements and budget considerations.

IV. About METAL Industrial

Nanjing Metal Industrial CO., Limited is a manufacturer of mechanical blades from China, producing blades and accessories for industries including metalworking, converting, food, and more. We have more than 15 years of experience in the manufacture and sales of industrial machine blades, machine parts, and regrinding services. We invite you to experience the superior quality of production