News&Events

How To Extend The Service Life Of Hydraulic Metal Sheet Shear?

How to extend the service life of a hydraulic metal sheet shear? The using life of a hydraulic plate shearing machine depends 70% on maintenance, 20% on operation, and 10% on model selection. Below is a practical approach for extending the life of your machine, not just general advice.

1. What is the "normal service life" of a hydraulic metal sheet shear machine?

Under the premise of not cutting corners, not overloading, and proper maintenance:

Usage Status	Actual lifespan
Ideal Use (Standardized Operation + Regular Maintenance)	10–15 years
Normal Use in Typical Factories	8–10 years
High Load/Insufficient Maintenance	3–5 years
Severe Over-shearing, Long-Term Neglect of Maintenance	Significant aging occurs after 2–3 years

2. 5 Core Factors Determining Metal Sheet Shear Machine Lifespan (in order of impact)

1) Long-term over-specification shearing (most impactful)

Rated 6mm, frequently shearing 8mm.
Using a carbon steel machine to shear stainless steel.
Frame fatigue + premature failure of the main cylinder.

2) Hydraulic system maintenance (core of lifespan)

Is the oil changed regularly?
Is the oil temperature consistently >60℃?
Is the filter element ineffective?
The lifespan of the oil pump, proportional valve, and seals is directly halved.

3) Blade and clearance management

Dull blades used for hard shearing.
Long-term misadjustment of clearance.
The surface problem is the blade, but the underlying issue is abnormal stress on the entire machine.

4) Structure and manufacturing quality (inherent conditions)

Frame welding + overall tempering.
Brand of cylinders and valves.
Guide rail structure (rollers/slider).
With the same maintenance, a good machine lasts 3-5 years longer than an ordinary machine.

5) Operator skill

Does the machine perform test shearing?
Is there any sudden start/stop?
Does the machine listen for abnormal sounds?
Experienced operators = lifespan extenders.

3. How to extend the service life of a hydraulic metal sheet shearing machine?

1) Daily Use: Avoiding "Chronological Injury" (Most Crucial)

- Do not cut beyond specifications (this is the number one cutting)

Do not cut excessively thick, wide, or strong materials.

Special Note:

Stainless steel ≈ Carbon steel × 1.3~1.5

High-strength plates and galvanized plates are more “stressful”.

Recommendation:

For long-term cutting of thick plates, keep the thickness within 80% of the rated value.

- Blade clearance must be adjusted according to thickness

Incorrect clearance = blade, cylinder, and frame all suffer.

Empirical values (carbon steel):

≤3mm: plate thickness × 6%

4–6mm: plate thickness × 7%

≥8mm: plate thickness × 8–10%

Not adjusting clearance = premature blade failure + hydraulic system fatigue

- "Steady" cutting, avoid sudden stops

Avoid:

Continuous sudden starts and stops

Repeated high-speed idle strokes.

Correct approach:

Test cut at low speed before mass production

Pay attention to oil temperature changes during continuous operation.

2) Hydraulic System: The "Heart" of Lifespan

- Oil Management = Hydraulic Metal Sheet Shearing Machine Lifespan Management

Recommended:

46# Anti-wear Hydraulic Oil (Ambient Temperature Workshop)

Must be done:

Change oil every 3 months or 500 hours for new machines
Change oil every 12 months or 2000 hours thereafter

Also: Clean the oil tank and replace the filter element every time you change the oil.

Dirty oil will first damage:

Oil pump → Proportional valve → Cylinder seals

- Strictly control oil temperature (many people overlook this)

Ideal oil temperature: 35–55℃

Above 60℃ will:

Seal aging
Reduced oil pump efficiency

Solutions:

Pay attention to heat dissipation in summer. In high-load workshops, consider adding a cooler.

3) Mechanical Structure: Preventing Fatigue Damage

- Use the right blades + change them frequently

Principle:

If a two-bladed blade becomes dull, replace it with the other blade.
Do not use up all four-bladed blades at once.

Strictly Prohibited:

Using a dull blade to cut hard will directly damage the main hydraulic cylinder and twist the tool holder.

- Lubricate these key areas

Must-Lubricate:

Pressure beam guide rail
Back gauge lead screw/linear guide rail
Main tool holder sliding surface

Frequency:

Ordinary workshop: Once a week
Heavy dust:Once every 3-5 days

4) Electrical & Control Systems: Preventing Hidden Faults

- Ensure a clean electrical cabinet environment

Strictly Prohibited:

Dust, oil mist, condensate

Recommendation:

Add dust filter cotton to the electrical cabinet
Check wiring terminals monthly for looseness.

- Avoid frequent power outages to the CNC system

Correct sequence:

Power on: Power → System → Hydraulics
Power off: System → Power

Frequent hard power outages can easily damage the PLC and CNC circuit boards.

4. Summary: 5 Key Principles

Do Not Over-Shear:

Thickness/Width/Material must not exceed the rated thickness. Stainless steel and high-strength plates ≤ 80% of rated thickness.

Correct Gap:

Adjust blade gap according to plate thickness. Sharpen or re-sharpen dull blades promptly; avoid hard shearing.

Keep Oil Clean:

Use 46# hydraulic oil. Change oil and filter regularly. Oil temperature 35–55℃.

Stable Operation:

Test shear first; avoid sudden starts and stops, and prolonged full load.

Frequent Lubrication:

Clean the material guide rail/blade holder slide/back gauge screw once a week.

The lifespan of a hydraulic metal sheet shear is affected by many factors. Extending its lifespan hinges on preventative maintenance, standardized operation, and regular inspections. This includes the hydraulic system, mechanical system, electrical system, lubrication, blades, and the overall maintenance system. Only by addressing all these aspects effectively and performing comprehensive maintenance can the equipment’s lifespan be maximized.