MACHINERY FEATURE
AUTOMATED SHEET METAL HANDLING AND SORTING FOR LASER CUTTING
Swiss sheet metalworking equipment manufacturer, Bystronic, has developed a new loading and unloading system, ByTrans Cross, for its fibre laser cutting machines. It is said to offer users full automation for producing long runs of components while retaining the flexibility of manual handling for fulfilling smaller jobs
Both ByTrans Cross and BySort are W
ith the very high cutting speeds that fibre laser technology allows,
there is a risk that the supply of material and unloading of completed parts and skeletons are unable to keep up, causing bottlenecks and reducing productivity. In such cases, maximising the capabilities of the machine requires an effective material handling system. With ByTrans Cross, the key benefit is
its flexibility due to the modular design. It can be integrated between a laser cutting centre and a warehouse, but is equally suitable as a stand-alone solution to ensure efficient supply of raw metal sheets in various thicknesses and materials to the laser cutting machine.
AUTOMATED SORTING OPTION The basic configuration has two loading carriages for storing material. However, with the addition of the new, optional BySort bridge and two sorting heads with gripper modules, unloading with the ByTrans Cross becomes even more versatile. The automatic sorting system, which can be factory ordered or retrofitted, deposits processed sheet metal components onto a pair of pallets next to the laser cutting centre. It supports users manufacturing large series where the cut parts need to be unloaded quickly and stacked. The repeatability with which BySort
places the parts is of advantage, as particularly with large cut parts, accuracy of placement is difficult to achieve manually. Precise positioning on pallets facilitates the automation of subsequent processes, as it allows reliable position detection. Moreover, BySort increases the speed of the entire unloading process. Firstly, the cut parts are unloaded and sorted. Subsequently, using a different route, the ByTrans unloads the skeleton. It ensures
ABOVE: Modular automation for laser cutting: with the BySort upgrade, unloading and sorting with the ByTrans Cross becomes even more versatile
RIGHT: Automated unloading of cut parts using BySort ensures safe, fast and accurate material handling
that the laser cutting system’s shuttle table is more quickly available for loading of the next sheet, which the ByTrans Cross brings from its own stock or from the connected warehouse.
controlled using the laser cutting system’s touch screen. Bystronic’s ByVision Cutting user interface, which is already being used on the latest generation of Bystronic’s fibre lasers, integrates the cutting processes and the connected automation. It removes the need for an operator to waste time walking between separate terminals for the laser cutting system and the automation equipment.
Bystronic UK T: 01724 851 515
www.bystronic.com
Pioneering productivity in additive manufacturing T
o improve additive manufacturing productivity and lower cost per part, Renishaw has launched its latest system, the RenAM 500Q. Featuring
four 500W lasers, the compact machine will greatly improve productivity in the most commonly used platform size, to bring the benefits of additive manufacturing to a wider range of industries. By speeding up the process by up to four times, the RenAM 500Q broadens the market appeal of metal additive manufacturing into applications that were previously uneconomic, driving the technology into new industries. By positioning the machine competitively, Renishaw has ensured the productivity benefits will reduce cost per part, without compromising on the precision or quality of a standard single-laser system. A critical technology at the heart of the RenAM 500Q is the optical system and control software. Laser
beams enter the system via four channels, where they are dynamically focussed and directed into a single, thermally controlled galvanometer mounting. The galvo mounting houses four pairs of digitally controlled guided mirrors, which can guide lasers to cover the entire working area of the powder bed. “Renishaw’s additive manufacturing machines and optical systems are designed, engineered and
manufactured in-house, giving us exceptional control over system performance,” explains Robin Weston, marketing manager at Renishaw’s Additive Manufacturing Products Division. “Using innovative design of the optical system and by incorporating digital controls and dynamic focussing, all four lasers can address the powder bed simultaneously – improving the speed, productivity and capability of the machine.” Renishaw is an innovator and leader in creating stable process environments, well placed to manage the
additional process emissions caused by multiple lasers. An inert gas recirculation system, including a cyclone pre-filter and gas intercooler preserve filter life and provide consistent clean processing conditions throughout the duration of the build. The new system develops the safety and usability features of the single-laser RenAM 500M, incorporating dual SafeChange filters with automated change over to minimise manual intervention. Studies have shown an additional benefit, that powder condition is maintained for maximum reuse, further reducing part costs.
For more information on how the RenAM 500Q can help you realise additive manufacturing in your industry visit
www.renishaw.com/en/renam-500q--42781
/ FACTORYEQUIPMENT
FACTORY EQUIPMENT | MARCH 2018 19
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