Removing slag produced during laser cutting from the support slats in the machine beds need no longer be laborious when using a low power hand tool.

Just last year it was still quite laborious to remove the slag produced during laser cutting from the support slats of systems. With the award-winning power tool TSC 1 from Trumpf that's no longer the case: Any necessary cleaning can now be done quickly and without using a lot of power. The TSC 1, used to clean laser cutting systems and presented for the first time by Trumpf at the Munich Handicraft Tradeshow, Germany, in March 2006, was successful 'right off the bat'.

Market developments along with being awarded the 2006 Federal Prize for Innovation both confirm this fact.

Werner Cloos, director sales and marketing, Power Tool Division, at Trumpf reported that: 'The success of the TSC 1 is phenomenal'.

'Since its launch, we have seen extremely high demand throughout.

Users have been waiting for exactly this kind of device.' That's no surprise because the Trumpf TSC 1 solves a problem that is unavoidable when operating flatbed laser machines: When metal workpieces are processed, slag is produced that collects on the support slats of pallets.

Sometimes the growing slag thickness reduces the quality of the workpieces because the laser can no longer make the usual clean cuts.

To clean the support slats in the past, it was usually necessary to use a hammer or a similarly heavy tool which took several hours and was difficult, dirty work.

'Many companies change the support slats, which is unnecessarily expensive because the slats are washed about five times,' added Cloos.

The TSC 1 slat cleaner from Trumpf solves this problem.

A standard-sized pallet of 1500mm x 3000mm can be cleaned in about only 20 minutes with this tool and requires very little power usage.

All operators have to do is put it on a slat row and switch it on.

The device then automatically removes the collected slag from the slat, moving forward by itself.

A sliding block ensures that the guiding is secure.

Operators simply keep the TSC 1 on track.

Because vibration is minimized, the device is easy and pleasant to use.

A stripper sheet removes slag that is stuck and won't fall off on its own.

If a slat is clean the device is put on the next slat until the entire pallet of the machine is cleaned.

By working so quickly, the Trumpf TSC 1 pays for itself in no time because it costs only about one-fourth of the cost of exchanging the pallet.

Compared to manual cleaning, the cost is still about two-thirds lower.

The slat cleaner can in principle be used with any flatbed laser machine equipped with a pallet changer.

Not only was the cleaner tested in every Trumpf model, but it has performed well with competitors' machines in practice.

It is rarely necessary to dismantle the support slats.

Usually it takes place parallel to the uptime without any preparation.

Cloos was asked: 'Mr Cloos, you introduced the TSC 1 slat cleaner in March 2006'.

'What has been the result in terms of demand?' Cloos replied: 'Interest in the device was very high from the very beginning and even after over a half-year it has not let up at all.

Apparently, users were waiting for this kind of work relief.

Which actually doesn't surprise us because we are familiar with the slag problem from our own experience.

Since its launch, we have seen very high demand throughout and are working furiously to serve all of our customers.' How did the idea for the TSC 1 actually come about?

Cloos answered: 'As I suggested, we were already familiar with the problem from our own experience.

Slag on the pallet slats can lower parts quality, so it has to be removed.

But there was never any fast, cost-effective solution'.

'Using tools such as hammers or pneumatic chisels made cleaning slow and exhausting.

The frequent practice of exchanging the slats was very expensive.

We discussed a lot of possible solutions in-house and with the TSC 1 ultimately built a tool that meets all requirements in terms of ergonomics, thoroughness and economy.' What are the most important features of the tool from the user's perspective?

Cloos said: 'The greatest advantage is probably its ease-of-use.

The user doesn't have to adjust anything because the TSC 1 automatically adapts to the slag thickness.

The same is true of the forward motion.

Benefiting from the guidance provided by a slide block, users of the TSC 1 have a tool with which hardly anything can go wrong and which is pleasant to use because of minimal vibration.' Do the support slats have to be removed for cleaning and can the TSC1 also be used for flatbed laser machines made by other manufacturers?

Cloos said: 'Removing the support slats is almost never required.

We have tested the tool in all of our models, even older machines.

Of the approximately 20 Trumpf machines in recent years only the TC L 2510 requires that the slats be dismantled.

But then again the work is quite a bit faster than with other tools.

Furthermore, we know that the TSC 1 is regularly used without any difficulty in the machines of all our significant competitors.' * About the Power Tools business division of Trumpf - sheet metal processing power tools have a long tradition at Trumpf.

As early as 1934 the company from Ditzingen, Germany, presented the first motorized handheld shears for cutting sheet metal, thereby laying the foundation for the entire corporate group's 'sheet metal competence'.

Ever since, the sheet metal specialists have been constantly developing professional power tools - in addition to stationary machines for punching and forming, laser processing and bending - and as leaders of innovation they have set the pace in this area as well for changing market requirements.

During fiscal year 2005/06 the Power Tools business division of Trumpf, which has had its headquarters in Gruesch, Switzerland, since 1980, recorded EUR 72 million in sales revenue with 255 employees.

The current product range includes power tools for cutting and connecting sheet metal and for forming welding edges.