Abstract: A band saw blade having relatively extended pitch patterns of eight of more teeth exhibits relatively low noise and vibration during cutting operations, and substantially uniform tooth loading characteristics. The band saw blade defines set patterns within each pitch pattern, and each set pattern is defined by an unset leading tooth followed by a plurality of offset trailing teeth. Each tooth within each set pattern defines a pitch between the respective tooth and the preceding tooth in the cutting direction of the saw blade, and an accumulated pitch between the respective tooth and the preceding tooth of like set direction in the cutting direction of the saw blade. The ratio of pitch to accumulated pitch for each tooth within each set pattern increases from one tooth to the next in the direction opposite the cutting direction of the saw blade for substantially uniformly distributing the chip load over the teeth of the saw blade.

Abstract: An improved monitoring system for a band saw has at least one position sensor, a controller, and a computer including a data storage device and a display monitor linked to the controller. The system may be used with new and existing models of band saws to provide real-time data relating to feed rate and band speed during the time the saw blade is in cutting engagement with a workpiece. A machine operator utilizes the data to optimize the operation of the band saw as it proceeds through a series of cutting operations.