Cutting Techniques in the Production of Hand-Forged Pieces

TEACHING UNIT 1. TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES FOR CUTTING HAND-FORGED PIECES USING SHEARS, GUILLOTINES AND SCISSOR-TYPE CUTTING TOOLS
Cutting with guillotine shears and scissors: tool preparation and adjustment.
Criteria for selecting tools based on various decision-making factors:
- Thicknesses.
- Dimensions.
- Cutting contours.
Shear cutting technique: applications in traditional blacksmithing.
- Straight cut of sheet metal.
- Curved sheet metal cut.
- Cold cutting of small and medium-sized profiles.
- Hot cutting of thick sections.
Guillotine cutting technique: applications in traditional metalwork.
- Straight cut from thin sheet metal.
Scissor-cutting technique: applications in traditional blacksmithing.
- Wire cutter
- Straight cut from thin sheet metal.
- Curved cut from thin sheet metal.
Quality, occupational and environmental risks associated with shear, guillotine and scissor-cutting techniques and procedures for pieces of handcrafted wrought ironwork.
- High-quality cut.
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- Occupational risks associated with cutting using shears, guillotines and scissors. Storage and maintenance of tools to prevent risks. Signage warning of the risks posed by tools. Personal protective equipment.
- Environmental risks. Offcuts and waste. Reuse and recycling.
TEACHING UNIT 2. TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES FOR MANUAL AND MECHANICAL SAWING.
Hand tools for sawing metal:
- Background to chiselling.
- Types: bow saws and hair-cut saws.
- Features.
Mechanical metal-cutting sawing tools:
- Types: drill bits and drills, electric jigsaws, electric shears, grinders, band saws and cross-cut saws.
- Features.
Criteria for selecting tools based on various decision-making factors:
- Thicknesses.
- Dimensions.
- Cutting contours as decision-making factors.
Sawing: preparation and adjustment of the tool.
Cutting cooling systems and materials.
- Traditional systems.
- New systems.
Cutting techniques using hand saws: applications in traditional blacksmithing. – Straight or slightly curved cuts in solid pieces or tubes, using physical force.
- Mitre cuts on solid timber or pipes requiring physical effort.
- Artistic metal sheet cutting requiring physical effort.
Cutting techniques using power saws: applications in traditional metalwork.
- Straight or slightly curved cuts in solid pieces or tubes without any physical effort.
- Mitre cuts on solid timber or pipes without any physical effort.
- Artistic cutting of sheet metal without physical effort.
Quality, occupational and environmental risks associated with manual and mechanical sawing techniques and procedures for cutting pieces of handcrafted wrought ironwork. - Quality of the cut. - Occupational risks associated with manual and mechanical sawing.
- Storage and maintenance of tools to prevent hazards. Signage indicating hazards on machinery.
- Personal protective equipment.
- Environmental risks. Offcuts and waste. Reuse and recycling.
TEACHING UNIT 3. PLASMA AND TORCH CUTTING TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES.
Plasma cutting system:
- Components: DC power generator, compressor; torch and its consumables: protective cover, retaining cap, nozzle, electrode and diffuser ring.
- Features.
Torch cutting system:
- Components: oxygen cylinders, fuel gas cylinder, hose, pressure gauges, torch and nozzles.
- Features.
Criteria for selecting tools based on various decision-making factors:
- Thicknesses.
- Dimensions.
- Cutting contours.
Plasma and oxy-acetylene cutting:
- Preparation and adjustment of the tool.
- Use of templates.
Plasma cutting technique: applications in traditional metalwork.
- Straight or slightly curved cuts in solid blocks or tubes, carried out quickly and without physical effort.
- Fast, effortless cutting of intricate designs in sheet metal and solid materials.
Torch-cutting technique: applications in traditional metalwork.
- Straight or slightly curved cuts in solid blocks or tubes, carried out quickly and without physical effort.
- Complex artistic cutting of sheet metal and solid materials, carried out quickly and without physical effort.
Quality, occupational and environmental risks associated with plasma and oxy-acetylene cutting techniques and procedures for handcrafted wrought iron pieces.
- High-quality plasma and oxy-acetylene cutting.
- Occupational risks associated with plasma and oxy-fuel cutting.
- Storage and maintenance of tools to prevent hazards. Signage indicating hazards on machinery.
- Personal protective equipment.
- Collective protective equipment: fume extraction.
- Environmental risks. Offcuts and waste. Reuse and recycling.