Apparatus for shearing multi-walled workpieces

An apparatus for shearing workpieces having at least two sides formed of sheet-like material, comprising:

• a first support defining an elongated edge and being engageable with a first side of the workpiece for contacting and supporting the first side of the workpiece along a line defined by the edge;
• a second support defining an elongated edge and being engageable with a second side of the workpiece for contacting and supporting the second side of the workpiece, the second support being spaced apart from and facing the first support and defining a channel therebetween for receiving the workpiece, wherein each of the first and second supports is independently movable relative to the other for engaging with each elongated edge the respective sides of workpieces of different widths;
• a blade slidably received within a gap formed adjacent to the elongated edges of the first and second supports and being movable between a first position spaced away from the workpiece within the channel and a second position in engagement with the workpiece for shearing the workpiece along a line of contact and wherein the blade has a cutting edge comprising a plurality of cutting tips;
• a base support defining a support surface extending between the elongated edges and being engageable with a third side of the workpiece and the base support comprising at least one base member slidably disposed on the base support;
• wherein the first and second supports each comprise at least one upstanding member and at least one of the upstanding members being slidably disposed on the base member.

A method of shearing workpieces having at least two sides formed of sheet-like material, comprising the steps of:

• providing a first support having an elongated edge which is engageable with a first side of the workpiece for contacting and supporting the first side of the workpiece along a line defined by the edge;
• providing a second support having an elongated edge which engageable with a second side of the workpiece for contacting and supporting the second side of the workpiece, the second support being spaced apart from and facing the first support and defining a channel therebetween for receiving the workpiece, wherein at least one of the first and second supports is independently movable relative to the other for engaging with each elongated edge the respective sides of workpieces of different widths;
• and
• receiving a blade within a gap formed adjacent to the elongated edges of the first and second supports and which is movable between a first position spaced away from the workpiece within the channel and a second position in engagement with the workpiece for shearing the workpiece along a line of contact;
• positioning at least one of the first and second supports relative to the other for orienting an axis of the workpiece at a predetermined angle relative to a plane of the shearing means, and shearing the workpiece at a predetermined angle relative to its axis.