Overview
ISO 4875-1:2006 - "Metal-cutting band saw blades - Part 1: Vocabulary" is an International Organization for Standardization document that establishes a standardized vocabulary for terms relating to metal-cutting band saw blades. This second edition (2006) updates and replaces the 1978 edition and is subdivided into terms and definitions for blade elements, tooth characteristics, tooth shapes and set types. The standard includes illustrated definitions (figures) and metric conventions (e.g., pitch in millimetres).
Key Topics
The standard defines and clarifies terminology used across manufacturing, specification and testing of band saw blades, including:
- Blade elements
- band saw blade, body, teeth, toothed edge, back edge, side, width, thickness
- Tooth characteristics
- Pitch (distance between apices of adjacent teeth, measured in mm)
- Teeth per unit length (number of teeth per 25.4 mm; pitch and teeth-per-length are reciprocals)
- Variable pitch (cycle of different pitches - example: 6/10 given as largest = 6 teeth per unit length and smallest = 10)
- cutting edge, height, face, flank, gullet, root radius
- wedge angle, rake angle, face angle and the reference plane
- Tooth shapes and set types
- terminology for tooth shape variants and tooth-set types (definitions and figures)
The standard includes English and French text, an alphabetical index, and diagrams that map terms to blade geometry for consistent interpretation.
Applications
ISO 4875-1 is a vocabulary standard - it does not set performance or dimensional requirements but is essential for consistent communication in documents that do. Practical uses include:
- Writing clear product specifications and procurement documents for band saw blades
- Creating technical drawings, inspection reports and test protocols
- Authoring user manuals, training materials and repair/maintenance procedures
- Harmonizing terminology between manufacturers, machine tool builders and end-users
- Supporting translation and localization of technical content
Who uses this standard
- Band saw blade manufacturers and designers
- Machine tool and saw equipment manufacturers
- Metal fabrication shops, maintenance and tool-room personnel
- Quality managers, procurement officers and technical writers
- Standards committees, trainers and technical translators
Related Standards
- ISO 4875-2 - Part 2: Characteristics and dimensions (covers dimensional and characteristic specifications referenced to the vocabulary in Part 1)
- Work was prepared by ISO/TC 29 (Small tools); ISO/IEC Directives govern drafting and publication.
Note: ISO permits reproduction of the terms and definitions for educational or implementation use provided the text is unmodified and the standard is cited as the source.
