Beams Saws - Manufacturing Productivity Machines

A beam saw is not a typical machine for home use, it is designed and built to handle heavy duty cutting operations like those found in manufacturing plants. Unlike a band saw or a radial arm saw, a beam saw has a carriage that is supported at both ends and uses a rial system resulting in a faster and more accurate cutting operation. These saws offer improved productivity for operations cutting raw material at a high rate. They are designed to cut multiple pieces of material at the same while maintaining high precision and accurate cuts.

To help us understand how a beam saw works and how it improves productivity and workflow in manufacturing we will be speaking with Dave Brown a customer service representative of the original saw company who are the only manufacturers of beam saws made in the USA.

Beam saws are designed for manufacturers more than for home wood workers!

The horizontal beam saw is purpose built for heavy duty cutting operations where employees need to make large volumes of repetitive cuts  accurately. The machines are built with heavy duty motors so that they can run long shifts and can make up to 64” cross cuts in wood, metal, aluminum, steel, and other kinds of materials.

When an Electronic Powered Cross Feed is added to the Beam Saw, it becomes a semi-automatic machine that can really boost cutting productivity. One of the things that was very interesting in the interview was learning that the motors, windings, and machines are all built right in The Original Saws factory located in Britt, Iowa. Only a few components are sourced out to manufacturers within 30 miles of their facility. The Original Saw Company is the only manufacturer of beam saws in the United States and the units are designed and manufactured in the USA.

The main difference between the models offered is the main length of the cut ranging from a 16” saw to a 22.5” saw and has features including voltage options, crosscut capabilities as well as offering manual or semi-automatic operation.

The largest buyer of beam saws is manufactured home companies because the capabilities align with the needs of the manufacturing process but the capabilities and range of materials that can be cut make it ideal in canopy manufacturing, automotive industry, metal roofing companies, and even logging.

Choosing The Right Blade

The most important thing to know about beam saws is “USING THE RIGHT BLADE” it is critical for performance and safety that the right type of blade is used depending on the material you are cutting. Dave explained that many saws are used for cutting cable trays, catalytic converters, and panels made of fiberglass and even aluminum panels.

Maintenance

Dave explains that regular maintenance and cleaning will keep the machines performing as optimum levels, keep them safe, and extend their lifespan. It is important to note that a basic cleaning and checking of blades and electrical connections are most important and to never oil or grease the machine as it will attract dust and possibly damage the unit over time.

Many Thanks to Dave Brown, Customer Service, The Original Saw Company

Listen To The Podcast at The Manufacturing Experts.