SHEET METAL
GUILLOTINE SHEARS

The first decision is whether your work is best suited to a mechanical, hydraulic swing beam or hydraulic variable rake guillotine.

Mechanical guillotines are a strong choice for workshops cutting lighter-gauge sheet in regular production. Their relatively simple operating principle provides fast, dependable cutting, with the Morgan Rushworth RGMS range offering capacities up to 4mm mild steel. This makes them particularly suitable where cutting speed, simplicity and straightforward operation are the priorities.

Hydraulic swing beam guillotines provide greater cutting power and a broader choice of capacities. The HSGS is the most commonly selected Morgan Rushworth guillotine for general sheet metal fabrication, with capacities up to 8mm mild steel. The heavier-duty BHGS extends the same swing beam principle to capacities of up to 20mm.

For the most demanding applications, the HSVS hydraulic variable rake guillotine provides automated control over the cutting angle, blade gap, backgauge and stroke. Adjusting the rake angle to suit the material can help reduce twisting and improve cut quality, particularly when processing a wide variety of material thicknesses or cutting narrow strips.

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Begin with the largest sheet width and maximum material thickness you expect to process. The guillotine’s cutting length must accommodate the full width of the sheet, while its cutting capacity must be suitable for the material grade and thickness.

Do not base the decision solely on the work currently passing through your workshop. Consider whether upcoming contracts, larger components or a move into thicker materials could require additional capacity. A sensible amount of spare capacity can help futureproof the investment, although significantly overspecifying the machine may increase its cost, size and power requirements unnecessarily.

Published capacities are commonly based on a specified mild steel tensile strength. Stainless steel, high-strength steel, aluminium and other materials behave differently, so a machine described as having an 8mm mild steel capacity will not necessarily cut 8mm in every material. Broadly speaking, as a rule of thumb you can take off 1/3 of the capacity for Stainless Steel, or add on 1/3 more capacity for Aluminium. Provide us with the material type, grade, thickness and maximum sheet size so that the appropriate model can be confirmed.

The current Morgan Rushworth range covers cutting lengths from compact 1,350mm machines through to HSVS variable rake guillotines with cutting lengths exceeding 6,000mm

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A correctly specified guillotine should produce a clean, consistent edge, but the machine settings must still be matched to the material being processed.

Blade gap is the clearance between the upper and lower blades. It must be adjusted according to the material type and thickness. Incorrect clearance can contribute to excessive burr, poor edge quality, premature blade wear and unnecessary deformation.

The cutting or rake angle also affects the forces placed on the sheet. A swing beam guillotine uses a predetermined cutting geometry, while a variable rake machine allows the angle to be adjusted. Reducing the rake angle can help limit distortion when cutting thinner materials or narrow strips, while a greater angle can reduce the cutting force required for thicker plate.

Common shearing defects include:

• Poor or heavily burred edges
• Bowing across the length of the cut part
• Twisting of narrow strips
• Crooking or loss of straightness
• Marks caused by worn blades or incorrect material support

Blade condition, blade gap, rake angle, material support and hold-down pressure can all influence the finished result. Regular inspection and correct setup are therefore as important as selecting the machine itself.

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The backgauge positions the sheet behind the cutting line and determines the finished width of the cut component. The most suitable control system depends on the variety of work, production volume and frequency of repeat jobs.

A manually positioned backgauge can be sufficient for occasional cutting, simple work and smaller production quantities. It provides a straightforward and cost-effective arrangement, although positioning and checking dimensions require more operator involvement.

An NC-controlled backgauge automatically moves to the programmed position. This improves repeatability, reduces setup time and is particularly useful when cutting batches of identical parts. Controllers such as the CybTouch 8 can store cutting lists containing the required dimensions and quantities, helping the operator move efficiently through multi-stage jobs.

The HSVS uses a CybTouch 12 CNC controller to manage the backgauge alongside blade gap, stroke length and cutting angle. This higher level of automation is valuable where a workshop processes frequently changing materials, complex cutting lists or high production volumes.

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The right optional equipment can have a considerable effect on how quickly, safely and consistently a guillotine can be used. The most valuable options will depend on the sheet sizes, material thicknesses and production quantities involved.

A pneumatic rear sheet support helps support the material before the cut, reducing sagging and helping cut components remain controlled as they move towards the blade. This can be particularly useful for large, thin or flexible sheets.

Powered blade gap adjustment speeds up machine setup when regularly moving between different material thicknesses. On advanced CNC machines, the required gap can be calculated and positioned automatically as part of the cutting programme.

Other useful options can include:

• Longer squaring arms for positioning large sheets
• Additional front support arms
• Ball-transfer tables for easier material movement
• Angle gauges for angled cuts
• Laser or illuminated cutting lines
• Increased backgauge travel
• Front light guards or lift-up finger guards
• Tee slots, measuring rules and flip stops
• Anti-twist systems for demanding narrow-strip work

Options should be chosen around genuine production requirements rather than added automatically. A workshop cutting occasional small blanks will have very different handling requirements from one processing full sheets throughout the day.

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Optional Extra to Consider with your Guillotine

The physical length of the machine is only one part of the space required for a guillotine installation. Allow sufficient room in front of the machine for loading full sheets, behind it for the backgauge and cut material, and around the safety system for secure operator access.

The site assessment should consider:

• Machine footprint and operating area
• Front and rear sheet clearance
• Delivery and installation access
• Floor suitability and machine weight
• Electrical supply
• Safe material storage
• Lifting and sheet-handling equipment
• Space for completed parts and offcuts
• Operator training and maintenance access

It is also worth considering what happens immediately before and after the guillotine. Many fabrication workshops pair a guillotine with a press brake, allowing flat sheet to be cut into blanks and then folded into finished components. Matching the working widths and material capacities of the two machines can create a more efficient cutting and bending process.

This approach has been used successfully by Selmach customers including S.W. Asgood Engineering, which invested in a guillotine and press brake and subsequently reported a 20% increase in production. Teknoroof also selected a three-metre guillotine and three-metre press brake as part of an expansion into thicker materials and additional products.

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The Morgan Rushworth RGMS is a fast and dependable mechanical swing beam guillotine designed for cutting mild steel up to 4mm thick. Available with cutting lengths up to 3,050mm, the range combines straightforward mechanical operation with an Elgo NC-controlled backgauge for accurate, repeatable positioning.

The RGMS is ideally suited to general fabrication workshops, roofing and cladding businesses, educational facilities and manufacturers regularly processing lighter-gauge sheet. Its rapid cutting cycle and relatively simple operation make it a practical choice where productivity, reliability and ease of use are more important than heavy-duty cutting capacity.

The HSGS is the most commonly selected Morgan Rushworth guillotine, providing hydraulic swing beam cutting for mild steel thicknesses up to 8mm. With cutting lengths reaching 4,060mm and a CybTouch 8 NC controller, it offers a strong balance of capacity, control and everyday production performance.

This range is well suited to general sheet metal fabrication, engineering workshops and manufacturers processing a mixture of component sizes and material thicknesses. It is a versatile choice for businesses that require more capacity and automation than a mechanical guillotine, without needing the heavier construction of the BHGS or advanced variable rake control of the HSVS.

The Morgan Rushworth BHGS extends the hydraulic swing beam format into heavier-duty cutting applications, with models capable of processing mild steel up to 20mm thick. Cutting lengths are available up to 4,060mm, while the CybTouch 8 NC controller manages the powered backgauge and supports efficient repeat production.

The BHGS is intended for demanding fabrication and engineering environments processing thicker sheet and plate on a regular basis. It is particularly suitable for structural fabrication, heavy machinery manufacture and subcontract engineering businesses that require substantial cutting power but prefer the simplicity and established performance of a swing beam design.

The HSVS is the most advanced and highest-capacity guillotine in the Morgan Rushworth range. Its hydraulic variable rake design is available with cutting lengths up to 6,070mm and mild steel capacities reaching 25mm, making it suitable for exceptionally large and demanding cutting requirements.

The CybTouch 12 CNC control automatically manages the backgauge, blade gap, cutting angle and stroke length to suit the programmed material and job. This makes the HSVS ideal for high-output manufacturers, heavy fabrication businesses and subcontractors processing a wide variety of material thicknesses, particularly where reduced distortion, automated setup and consistent cut quality are essential.