Tuesday, February 27, 2007

CNC turret press gets automatic work handling

A new, fully automatic load / unload and component sorting system is available for FINN-POWER's all-electric 'Work Centre E' turret punching and forming press.

A new, fully automatic load / unload and component sorting system is available for FINN-POWER's all-electric 'Work Centre E' turret punching and forming press, which incidentally now has the additional options of laser profiling equipment and a 6-station tapping unit. Designated LUR, the gantry-style load and unload robot is positioned to one side of the punch press in a relatively compact arrangement to enable minimally manned or lights-out production of components from 180 mm by 150 mm upward. Work Centre E already has a measure of automation through incorporation of a parts conveyor to off-load components up to 500 mm square.

Addition of the LUR greatly extends this range, offering the opportunity to automatically load sheet from a stack, off-load finished components onto designated stacking positions, and manage removal of the sheet skeleton.

Manufacturers are therefore able to take full advantage of automated production as there is no need to de-tag and sort components following a period of unattended working.

LUR comprises four main elements, being the gantry robot with vacuum-type gripper, the loading wagon for blank sheet, an unload gripper and wagon for sheet skeletons, and a stacking wagon for profiled components.

The sorting capability of the robot is virtually unlimited, allowing set-down of up to 3,500 kg of finished components anywhere in the stacking area.

Design of the off-load gripper has been tuned to allow handling of formed as well as flat components.

In addition, the electronic interfacing with the machine control allows the unload gripper to move in and hold the component during the final nibbling strokes, ready for immediate off-load with minimal interruption to profiling activity.