SIDE CUTTERS

SIDE CUTTERS
Side cutter is an accurate method of stopping arrangement used mainly for
thinner strips where it is difficult to accommodate the other type of stoppers.

A side cutter is a trimming punch which trims the side of the stock material,
providing a shoulder. This shoulder is stopped against a hardened insert provided
in the spacer in small tools the spacer may be fully hardened to avoid the insert.
the width of the side cutter is equal to the pitch.
The allowance for side cutting depends upon the type and thickness of the
stock material. Table gives the allowance for side cutting for different materials.
NO MATERIAL SHEET THICK NESS CLEARENCE
01 Steel 0.2-0.4 2.5
Brass 0.2-0.6 1.5
Bronze 1.0-1.5 2.5
1.5 1.5 x s
02 Copper 0.2-0.5 3
Zinc 0.5-0.1 2
Aluminum 1.0-1.5 2.5
03 Leather, paper 0.4 5
Fibers 0.4-1.0 4
Card boards 1 3xs
 The size of the side cutter will be
more than the pitch by 0.05-0.1 for the
purpose of registry the strip with the pilot.
But in case of tools without pilot, the side
cutter is made equal to the pitch. The
stop position and registry position will be
the same.
Due to the unbalanced cutting
force cutting force acting on the side
cutter, the side cutter are provided with
heels. the undercut provided on thee side
cutter eliminates the difficulties of feeding
due to thorn formation. Thorns are small
projection which occurs at the side of the
strips due to the punch wear out. In side
cutting there is a tendency of the slugs
being coming up with the punch, causing
difficulties in further punching. Slug
pushers are used to avoid this. A
standard side cutter shape is shown in
the fig.
THE ADVANTAGES OF SIDE CUTTER :

1. It is a safer method than stop pin

2. Avoids the danger of the deformation of margins of thinner strips by
the stop pins, when pressed against it.
3. Preferred for small punching where it could be difficult to employ
other types of stops
4. It is economical and avoids complications in tools where number of
stages are more
5. Pilots can be avoided for punching components with moderate
accuracy.
 The side cutter is installed in the first position of the tool. this eliminates
extra stops and simplifies both construction and operation of the tool. Usually the
side cutter is located along the front edge of stock strip, because of the fact that the
strip are usually meant to gauge of the tool

Two side cutters, one on each side is used where the number of stages
are more or if pitch is less