VARIABLE THICKNESS LINEAR SAWS

摘要

A variable thickness linear saw design is proposed for enabling maximum reduction of the thickness of the kerf associated with such saws. Typically, such saws have cutting teeth mounted on the leading edge of a supporting plate. In the improvement of this saw, this supporting plate is given two discrete thicknesses relative to the kerf. A first and narrow thickness (relative to the kerf) longitudinal segment is used parallel to and adjacent the supported teeth. This first and narrow thickness longitudinally extending segment only occupies a fraction of less than half and preferably about 20% of the full width of the saw behind the supported teeth. A second and expanded thickness (relative to the kerf) longitudinal segment is used for the remaining width of the saw. The reduced thickness of the narrow tooth supporting section of the saw forms in the case of the linear saws a preferred exit path for sawdust, this preferred exit path being immediately adjacent and behind the supported teeth of the saw. A variable thickness linear saw of the proposed design exhibits greater lateral stiffness than does a conventional linear saw of uniform thickness. Further, the saw can be subject to greater tension to resist deflection. Finally, the narrow linear segment supporting the teeth can be shown to have superior resistance to gullet cracking when incorporated to band saw construction. Tension increases in such band saws up to approximately 40% for a given width of kerf can result with consequent improved resistance to transverse forces and improved linearity of the kerf.