Extend Blanking Line Capabilities with Automated Stacking

LaserCoil Technologies LLC (Napoleon, OH) has added end-of-line robotic stacking capability to their coil-fed laser blanking systems. Available in either single or dual stations, these stackers are side-by-side capable and can reach 120 spm. The stackers can be programmed to handle rectangular, trapezoid, patterned, contoured or irregular shapes in both aluminum and steel. The addition of automated stacking capability can lead to improved blank quality by preventing marring of the surface finish and contaminants that can be introduced via manual operations. Additionally, the use of automated vision technology by these systems allows for high accuracy stacking without tamping or touching the edges of the blanks. By laser cutting direct from coil stock, these systems provide a fast and flexible approach to blanking that is well-suited for production environments running multiple blank profiles and mixed material types.

These systems can process a wide variety of coil material in aluminum, mild steel, the new high-strength steels and other materials for surface sensitive panels, as well as structural components in thicknesses from 0.5 mm to 3.5 mm (0.0197 in to 0.1378 in) and up to 2.135 m (84 in) wide coil at any length. Laser systems can also significantly reduce material scrap given their nesting capabilities. Not only can components be nested more closely, but lasers allow smaller parts to be co-produced from normally unusable hunks of metal: window cutouts, for example. In a conventional stamping operation, this material would be sent for recycling, or stacked and stored for future re-blanking, both of which are wasteful. Importantly, from a capital investment standpoint, these systems are flexible and can integrate with any coil processing line or be retro-fit into an existing mechanical press blanking line.

LaserCoil Technologies LLC, 476 East Riverview, Napoleon, OH 43545, 419-592-0050, www.lasercoil.com.