New automation solutions from TRUMPF

By Niraj M Wanikar, Chief Editor, CNCTimes.com, 2014-07-19 22:28:52

Higher productivity, lower operating costs and user-friendly functions, with machines working days, nights and weekends - all this is possible with the new automation solutions for TRUMPF's 2D laser machines. Especially for smaller companies, they provide the ideal inexpensive route into manufacturing automation. Fully automated production cells can be created using the PalletMaster Tower or by combining the TruStore storage system with the automation unit LiftMaster Compact and the PartMaster sorting aid.

Besides improving productivity and increasing cost efficiency, such solutions also help companies to protect their most important asset: human resources. Automated loading and unloading eliminates the physical effort required to lift metal sheets and parts, especially if they are large and heavy, which in turn helps to improve work safety.

PalletMaster Tower: for reliable automation

TRUMPF's PalletMaster Tower is a flexible material handling system that offers manufacturers a new, affordable route to automated, unmanned production. The PalletMaster Tower combines the functions of an automatic pallet changer with a compact storage system, thus creating a complete automation cell. It picks a pallet containing the required type of material from the stack and delivers it to the TruLaser machine. After processing, it returns the pallet to the stack. This allows the machines to run without supervision even overnight and at weekends, thus increasing machine operating times.

These functions make this a particularly interesting solution for customers who wish to increase the capacity utilisation of their standalone machines, since they stand to benefit in two ways: firstly through higher output and hence higher revenues, and secondly by being able to amortise their investment more rapidly by operating additional shifts. The PalletMaster Tower requires no additional programming tools because it runs on the same standard software as the machine to which it is connected. This reduces the cost of acquisition.

The automation component is also highly flexible and can be adapted to a wide range of customer requirements. Each customer can choose the configuration and functions that best match their production needs, thus reducing unnecessary costs. Further options can be added at any time, for instance a supplementary sorting station that allows the operator to load and unload the machine without interrupting machining operations. The number of storage spaces in the tower can also be increased from six to a maximum of 20.

LiftMaster Compact, TruStore and PartMaster: the winning automation team

The 2D laser automation LiftMaster Compact, the TruStore compact storage and the PartMaster are established TRUMPF products. What is new this time is that they can now be combined to create a highly flexible automation solution. LiftMaster Compact removes raw sheets from the TruStore stack and transfers them to the pallet changer, which delivers them to the 2D laser machine. The cut parts and scrap skeletons are then transferred to the PartMaster, which transports them to the ergonomically designed sorting station via two separate conveyor belts for manual removal.

If there is no machine operator present to complete this task, for instance during a night shift, the TruStore storage system can be reconfigured to incorporate one of the PartMaster conveyor belts. In this case, the LiftMaster Compact automatically transfers cut parts and scrap skeletons to the TruStore storage system. When the machine operator returns to work the next day, the system can be automatically reconfigured to operate with the PartMaster. Parts produced and stored overnight are delivered to the storage input/output station for removal. This space-saving, integrated solution thus supports fully automated production during the night shift and provides an ergonomic means of sorting the finished parts during the day shift. And thanks to its modular design, it can be easily retrofitted to existing plants.

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