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  • Beam
  • Sawing
  • MSI
  • Automation
  • Fabrication

Beam sawing: the process described











A well performed sawing process is essential

Even though it looks quite simple, a well performed cutting process of beams is essential. The cutting speed, type of saw, the sawing pressure and feed rate all play their part in a correct performance of the sawing process and ensure a longer service life of the sawing blade.

Feed rate

It is important to keep track of the cutting process whether it still meets your expectation and remains constant. An adjustable feed rate enables you to choose an optimal ration between the processing speed and life cycle of the sawing blade. When the serrated edges of the blade cut through your material, time is needed for transporting small pieces of material in de space between the serrated edges. This prevents blade damage and maximizes your uptime.

Miter cutting

To cut through your materials efficiently, the sawing blade is cornered in an angle of 3 to 5 degrees relative to the cutting table. Positioning the blade mitered relative to the material enables miter cutting. For an optimal miter cut, the right cutting angle and robust clamping of material are of great importance. Because more material is cut for each height, a variable saw pressure is needed for ensuring consistent quality.

Voortman VB-range bandsaw machine

The Voortman bandsaw machine is specifically designed for cutting structural steel. This sawing machine distinguishes itself on several levels. Our sawing machine is built on a heavy and robust frame and is equipped with the newest technologies in servo motors and ballscrew spindles.

Continuous pressure measurement on the sawing blade enables optimum speed and accuracy for sawing in the most efficient duration. For instance, the sawing speed will be automatically adjusted when a higher pressure level is measured by cutting through the web of an H-profile. With these technologies, we can guarantee optimal cutting speed and quality. Another important part where our machine distinguishes itself is its ability to use rotating sawing tables. This ensures continuous alignment with the sawing blade, even in mitered positions. With this feature the saw will never cut through the cutting table leaving high quality cuts with a never to be replaced cutting table.

A back-to-back system with VB bandsaw machine + drilling machine

Measuring systems

For automatic feeding of material, a measuring system is needed to determine the exact position of the cut. Voortman sawing machines can be equipped stand-alone with a ‘full stop measuring system’ or with a ‘gripper measuring system’. By sharing the same Voortman operating software, the VB-range can be combined with one or two other machines in a ‘back-to-back' system with one of the drilling machines as showed in the image above, or combined with multiple processes in a split system. Whether the saw functions with its own measuring system or shares a measuring system when combining multiple machines and processes, Voortman ensures a good cooperation between the measuring systems and the sawing machines which is essential for the overall cutting quality.

Hear it from
our customers

Horizon Steel - Jim Cafall - United States

“We soon realized Voortman's technology combined with their quality and performance was far superior to the alternatives currently available.”
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Cermont Sp. z.o.o. - Damian Cieślik - Poland

“In the past the fitters were waiting for the prepared material to be able to tack weld. At this point the situation has reversed. The production is so efficient and fast that finished processed material is now waiting for assembling.”
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Bect SAS - Fabrice Bect - France

“The main advantage compared to our previous workshop layout is that we have grown productivity by 25%. We have found machines made for steel fabricators to be productive and reliable.”
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Canamétal - Canamétal - France

“Voortman was the only supplier to fulfill our needs and requirements in terms of automation and fast processing time. The local presence of the Voortman technical and sales subsidiary in Nantes was also a big plus.”
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Jac Reijns Staalconstructie - Jos Reijns - Netherlands

“The reason to choose for Voortman was mainly because of the quality of the machinery, the easy to use VACAM and VACAD software and the fact that it is a Dutch company.”
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Steel & Pipe Corporation - Brian L. McRae - United States

“When we compare productivity to the previous beam line we have seen an increase in at least 30% and running cost saving of 40%. The accuracy and performance of the system has been exactly as was sold to us.”
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