Bandsaw apparatus with pivotally-mounted saw head assembly arm and method

摘要

A method and bandsaw apparatus (30) which facilitates maintenance access to a continuous loop bandsaw blade (43) rotatably mounted thereon. The bandsaw apparatus (30) includes a base frame (31) and a cutting table (32) supported on top of the frame (31) to provide a cutting surface (33). A saw carriage assembly (37) is provided including a saw arm assembly (37) rotatably supporting the saw blade (43) which extends through a blade receiving slot (34) in the table (32). A support frame (42) movably mounted to a guide assembly (44) enables selective reciprocating movement of the saw arm assembly (40) relative the cutting table (32) so that the blade (43) can move along the receiving slot (34). A coupling device (45) of the carriage assembly (37) movably couples the saw arm assembly (40) to the support frame (42) for movement of the saw arm assembly (40) between a cutting position and a maintenance access position. In the maintenance access position, when the carriage assembly (37) is positioned at the table second end (36), the saw arm assembly (40) can be moved away from the cutting table (32) which further moves the bandsaw blade (43) to a position outwardly of the slot (34). This substantially enhances access to the blade drive wheels (41, 41') and the blade (43).