The ARG 400 plus S.A.F. hydraulic semi-automatic band saw features a massive cast iron arm, 34 × 1.1 mm blade and variable speed from 15–90 m/min, delivering precise cutting of large metal sections in demanding industrial environments.

Manufactured by PILOUS, the ARG 400 plus S.A.F. is an exceptionally robust hydraulic semi-automatic band saw designed for heavy-duty industrial metal cutting. Built with a massive grey cast iron construction and an advanced control system, the machine delivers outstanding stability, cutting precision and long-term durability even in the most demanding production environments.
Developed specifically for processing solid materials and large metal sections, the ARG 400 plus S.A.F. combines powerful hydraulic automation with a rigid mechanical structure that ensures reliable performance in continuous industrial operation.
Overview
The ARG 400 plus S.A.F. stands out for its exceptionally strong machine construction. The band saw arm is manufactured from solid grey cast iron, which is unusual for machines of this size category and provides significantly higher rigidity and durability compared to conventional designs.
This construction reduces vibration and ensures extremely accurate cutting results when processing large cross-sections and solid metal materials.
The machine operates with an industrial blade sized 34 × 1.1 mm, allowing stable cutting of heavy profiles and solid bars. Various blade versions are available to suit different materials such as structural steel, stainless steel and tool steel.
The ARG 400 plus S.A.F. also provides flexible mitre cutting capability, with cutting angles up to 60° to the right and 45° to the left, making it suitable for a wide range of industrial fabrication tasks.
Massive cast iron arm construction
The band saw arm is made from solid grey cast iron, a design rarely used in machines of this size. This construction provides exceptional rigidity and vibration absorption, allowing extremely accurate cuts even when processing large solid materials.
The arm is mounted on a sturdy grey cast iron turntable supported on both sides by massive housings fitted with prestressed tapered roller bearings. This ensures smooth and stable movement during angular cutting operations.
The tapered roller bearing system allows easy and precise rotation of the arm when adjusting cutting angles.
Hydraulic semi-automatic cutting cycle
The machine features a fully integrated hydraulic system that executes the complete cutting cycle automatically.
With a single command, the system performs:
This automated process significantly improves cutting productivity and reduces operator workload during repetitive cutting operations.
Manual mode is also available, allowing operators to control each machine function independently when needed.
The hydraulic unit allows precise adjustment of the vice clamping pressure, ensuring secure material holding for different material types.
Advanced touchscreen control
The ARG 400 plus S.A.F. is operated through an intuitive touchscreen control panel located on the central machine console.
The display provides real-time information including:
It also displays the required lifting height of the saw arm depending on the cross-section of the material being cut.
The touchscreen, PLC and frequency inverter are supplied by Schneider Electric, ensuring reliable industrial-grade control and high system stability.
Optimized cutting performance
The integrated frequency converter allows continuous blade speed adjustment between 15 and 90 metres per minute.
This enables optimal cutting parameters for various materials including:
Proper speed adjustment improves cutting accuracy while extending blade service life.
Heavy-duty industrial construction
The entire machine is designed for long-term industrial operation.
The massive machine base provides exceptional stability and includes a removable chip container or optional chip conveyor for efficient chip removal in production environments.
Large-diameter running wheels combined with three-side hardmetal blade guides ensure smooth blade operation and precise cutting results.
All rotating components, including bearings and blade tension systems, are intentionally over-dimensioned to ensure long service life even under continuous industrial workloads.
The ARG 400 plus S.A.F. is designed for demanding metal cutting tasks including:
Its robust design and hydraulic automation make it ideal for industrial environments requiring reliable high-capacity cutting performance.
The ARG 400 plus S.A.F. combines extreme structural strength with modern automation and advanced control technology. Its massive cast iron arm, hydraulic cutting cycle and intelligent touchscreen interface ensure high cutting precision and exceptional reliability.
Within the ANATECO industrial machinery range, the ARG 400 plus S.A.F. represents a powerful hydraulic semi-automatic band saw built for heavy-duty metal cutting operations.
Frequency converter – Standard equipment
Enables continuous blade speed regulation between 15–90 m/min. and thus setting the optimum cutting conditions for the given material.
Hydraulic pressure device HVP
Used to clamp bundles of material to be cut. Ensures reliable clamping by hydraulically controlled vertical contact pressure working within the machine’s cycle.
Halogen lamp
Provides good lighting of the workplace of the machine. An invaluable tool especially when the lighting at the workplace is insufficient.
Oil mist lubrication MM
Creates an oil mist that is sprayed onto the cutting edge. It replaces the use of a classic coolant, especially when cutting sections during which leakages may occur. Possibility of using organic oils.
Laser alignment LS
High-quality industrial laser projects the cutting line on the material to be cut. Makes the setting of the required material length simpler, faster and more accurate.
Workpiece stop
Robust stop with a 500mm scale for setting the required length of the material to be cut.
Electrical cleaning brush
Steel circular brush powered by and industrial motor with worm gearbox. Used to remove chips from the saw band behind the cut.
Display of angles
Digital scanning of set cutting angle ensures fast and accurate setting of the required angle. The value is displayed with an accuracy of 0.1 degrees on a central touchscreen. We recommend this equipment especially for a frequent angular cutting.
Pressure regulation
Hydraulically controlled one-sided automatic regulation of saw band feed into cut according to the resistance of the material to be cut. Significantly reduces the cutting time and service life of the saw band.
Screw chips conveyor SD
Ensures smooth removal of chips from the machine. Reduces the time needed for the cleaning of the machine especially when cutting series of full materials producing large amount of chips.
Saw band tension indicator CD
Ensures accurate tensioning of the saw band to a required value according to the pressure gauge and its control during the use of the machine. Optimum tensioning of the saw band is essential for its service life and cutting accuracy.
Rinse spray gun OPL
For cleaning working space of the machine.
Chip container SDB
For easy handling is chip container equiped with wheels and swivel chip bin.
Stainless steel container and chip separator
The robust stainless steel container is an optional accessory enabling the machine to be complemented with a chip separator. The chip separator is a galvanized, finely perforated container for efficient collection of sawdust that has passed through a sieve in the base. This container is easily removable when filled and is easy to clean outside the machine.
Stainless steel container and magnetic chip separator
The robust stainless steel container is an extra accessory enabling the machine to be complemented with a magnetic chip separator. For particularly fine chips that have passed through the sieves in the saw, a highly efficient magnetic separator is used. It saves time for cleaning and disassembling the cooling path and extends the service life of the cooling emulsion. This device is easily removable and easy to clean outside the machine by simply pulling the magnetic bars out of the housing.
SW 400 upgrade
means a larger display, new machine control, and precise measurement of the blade lift using a magnetic tape.
Full-stroke vice
A full-stroke vice allows clamping materials of different diameters without mechanical readjustment, as is common with a standard low-stroke vice.

| ARG 400 plus S.A.F. | 90° | -45° | +45° | +60° |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ● | 400 | 290 | 300 | 200 |
| ■ | 400 | 250 | 300 | 200 |
| ▬ | 460 x 300 | 300 x 170 | 300 x 200 | 200 x 200 |
| Main motor | 400 V, 50 Hz, 3 kW | |||
| Pump motor | 400 V, 50 Hz, 0,12 kW | |||
| Hydraulic motor unit | 400 V, 50 Hz, 0,55 kW | |||
| Saw blade speed | 15-90 m/min. | |||
| Working height of vice | 795 mm | |||
| Hydraulic system oil | cca 26 l (ISO 6743/4-HM, DIN 51 524 part 2-HLP) | |||
| Coolant tank | cca 35 l | |||
| Machine dimensions | Dimension drawing | |||
| Machine weight | 1225 kg | |||
ARG 400 plus S.A.F.