When specifying and purchasing metal shear equipment, an important consideration is the required dimensions needed to fit your range of workpieces. Sheet/stock thickness is the sheet or web thickness that can be sheared. Sheet/working length is the largest dimension of working distance from right to left that can be cut. Throat depth is the distance from the centerline of the ram to the back frame in a gap frame, C frame, or similar press type. Operating a shear requires strict adherence to safety procedures. Machine operators can activate the shear using several methods. Manual (footswitch/pendant/pushbutton) action is controlled manually through an operator interface device such as a footswitch, pendant, or push-button controls.