In Metal Transformed Toral we are experts in mechanized and one of the tools we use is Shears. What is the shear for? It is an essential tool in the world of machining and manufacturing and is characterized by its ability to cut and shape to various materials.

What is a shear?

The shear is a cutting tool which is used to section materials through the application of a force. This tool works using a blade mechanism which, when closed, cut the material placed between them. Today there are different types of shears: manual, electric or hydraulic. What is the manual shear for? And the electric? When is hydraulics used? In short, it all depends on the strength needed and the type of material to cut.

• Manual. It is the best option for light work and thin materials such as metal sheets, plastics and even paper. It is common in small workshops.
• Electric. It uses an electric motor that provides greater cutting force. It is suitable for thicker materials and jobs that require great precision and speed.
• Hydraulics. It uses hydraulic pressure to cut very resistant materials and in large quantities. This type of shear is very common in heavy industry and in jobs that require a high volume of production.

What is the shear for: Main applications

You already know what it is and the types that exist, but What is the shear for? We tell you that this tool It has multiple applications in the machining industry due to its versatility and efficiency. Let's see what some of its most common uses are.

Material cutting

The main function of the shear is cut materials. Depending on the type of tool chosen, one or the other may be cut, but basically, shears can cut metal, plastic, leather, paper and cardboard. This tool is especially useful for cutting metal sheets of different thicknesses, which makes it essential in the manufacture of metal parts.

Preparation of the pieces

When a part arrives at the workshop, it is not always ready to be mechanized and, in this sense, shears are of great help in the parts preparation processes that need, for example, to be molded or assembled. The shear is responsible, in these cases, for cutting the pieces to the exact dimensions required for subsequent machining work. This guarantees greater precision and efficiency.

Material shaping

Depending on the type of shear used, it is possible to perform angle cuts or with specific shapes. This is very useful for the material shaping that need to conform to very specific designs or with demanding tolerances.

What is shear used for in different industries?

We have already seen what are the main jobs that performs a shear, but we will tell you some of its most common applications in different industries.

• Metallurgical. What is shear used for in metallurgy? This tool is used in the manufacture of metal structures, as it allows cutting metal beams, sheets and bars. It is common in the production of machines, cars and buildings.
• General manufacturing. In workshops and factories, shears are used to cut various materials in the production of customized parts, spare parts and finished products. You can find shears in the canning industry, but also in factories that are responsible for producing machines for these factories.
• Automotive. In vehicle manufacturing, shears are essential for cutting sheet metal that will later be formed into body parts, chassis and other components. To manufacture a car, for example, hydraulic shears are used, as they allow high-strength steel to be cut into specific shapes required for the structure of the vehicle. This ensures that the pieces fit together perfectly and maintain structural integrity.
• Naval. To build boats it is necessary to cut large pieces of metal that also require a lot of precision. The shears ensure that these cuts are exact.
• Aerospace. In the aerospace industry, where precision and efficiency are essential, shears make it possible to cut composite materials as well as light alloys. Parts in this industry require very close tolerances and shears can provide this.