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Blade Rake Angle
The angular tilt of the upper shear blade relative to the lower blade across the cut length. A positive rake reduces the shearing force required but introduces a slight bow in long cuts. Rake angle is optimized for each material type and thickness.
Blade rake angle is a geometric feature that influences both the mechanical efficiency of the cutting action and the dimensional characteristics of the finished blank. A positive rake angle reduces the shearing force required by the upper blade, allowing the machine to cut thicker material or operate more efficiently, but it introduces a slight waviness or bow along the cut edge due to the angled blade motion.
In contrast, a straight or negative rake may require higher cutting force but can produce a straighter edge on certain materials. Each work material and thickness combination has an optimal rake angle established through empirical testing and documented in machine setup specifications.
Understanding rake angle helps fabricators optimize both cutting capacity and edge quality when running diverse material types on the same equipment.
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