1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE WORK

A bench shearing machine also known as a “liver shear” is a bench

mounted shear with a compound mechanism to increase the

mechanical advantage. It is usually used for cutting rough shapes

out of medium size pieces of metal sheet.

The bench shearing machine has light weight and easy efficient

operation. The blades fitted are carefully and accurately grounded

to give easy clean quick cuts and free of burns.

These special feature helps the operator save a great deal of

energy. The bench shearing machine is electrically welded

together to make it a sturdy stable unit capable to withstand

stress due to heavy duty usage. The footplates are reinforced with

balancing angles so that they firmly gives stability to the shear.

The bench shearing machine is provided with a section knife

(sliding blade) which can be adjusted by hand to make cuts on

T-sections of different sizes as well as openings for cutting round

and square bars.

A device like bench shearing machine is made up of the mainframe

structure cutting blades and handle. The fabrication of this type

of device consists of mainly cutting/fitting operations welding

operation and machining operation like drilling. The machine

assembly is made up by means of welding and nuts and bolts

fastening.

In some bench shears provisions are made for cutting round bars

of different sizes. In order to accommodate such operation

materials proven structures integrity are used in the construction.

The size of parts are carefully fixed to enable such operation to be

carried out.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Production of useful tools commonly used in the mechanical

engineering workshop is an essential part of gain in having the

bench shearing machine.

The reason for fabricating such machine is to create a locally made

of the bench shearing machine. The locally made bench shearing

machine will cost less. It would do the same work with that of the

ones produced by manufacturing companies.

Some shearing machines are imported into the country. The

fabrication of this bench shearing machines aids in so many ways

as follows:

(i) Saves time for delivery

(ii) Create job opportunity in the society

(iii) Build up the technical knowledge of the people

(iv) It creates a state for self employment

(v) It will cost cheaper and will have the same work capacity

(vi) It will help for less energy consumption but with a maximum

work done.

The type of bench shearing machine in this project is a manually

operated bench shearing machine. The advantage it has over the

electrically powered shearing machines is that it is controlled

manually. Using an electric type of shearing machine will have

delays when ever the electricity supply goes off. This manual

operated bench shearing machine needs just a little effort of

pulling and the desired result would be obtained.

1.3 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The reason behind embarking on this project is to fabricate a

locally made of a bench shearing machine. It will cost less but do

the same work compared to ones from the manufacturing

industries.

The machine has less number of components and this does not

limit its efficiency.

The size of the fabricated machine is small and has less weight.

1.4 SCOPE OF THE WORK/LIMITATION

To fabricate a bench shearing machine in the institution

departmental workshop similar to the products available in the

market.

This will serve the same purpose with the imported ones. The

fabrication of bench shearing machine within the departmental

workshop leads to the use of available materials in the market.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WORK

This fabrication of a bench shearing machine as a project is meant

to encourage and improve the skills of the students towards

technicality and solving of engineering problems associating with

several companies. The project aids to promote self employment

and entrepreneurship within an individual.

The skills and techniques acquired from this project can assist

student to be self-employed and even become employers.

The project contains both theoretical and practical aspect of

fabrication. This promotes the image of Kaduna Polytechnic

students in theoretical and practical knowledge as an institution

with great reputation.