These electro-powered shears operate on the principle of conventional hand shears in that the cutting effect is produced by the up-and-down movement of the upper blade, the edge of which is in constant contact with the edge of the fixed lower blade.

The principle employed in these shears has the advantage over rotary blade shears in that there is no bare shaft for threads to catch and wind up to eventually block the machine. What's more, the operator has a clear view of the cutting zone.