A flexible manufacturing system for sheet metal components is able to offer integrated component production involving a turret punch press, laser profiling and right angle shearing.

The LVD Omega flexible manufacturing system (FMS) for sheet metal components is able to provide fully integrated component production involving a turret punch press, laser profiling and right angle shearing, combined with fully automatic loading and unloading, component sorting and stacking and sheet storage and retrieval. And, such is its modular development criteria that individual elements can be added, removed and updated as needs change. Central to the flexibility of the system is the large table configuration which provides the capability to handle sheet sizes up to 1575mm by 4025mm through the punch, laser or shear, without the material having to be repositioned, regauged or reclamped.

The first fully integrated system has been installed in Europe at electrical equipment maker Grenier Group in Kerzenhein, Germany to provide some 2,500 different blanks ready for forming.

Because the system incorporates warehousing, an intermediate buffer zone and the ability to remove scrap material, without interrupting the operational cycles, fully automated multiple shifts are now run at the plant.

The company is now capable of almost triple production by processing some 3,500 tonnes of material in a year with higher added value.

Previously, it was limited to 1,200 tonnes.

It now operates with shorter cycle times and the high number of individual components are more easily handled.

The Omega based FMS can be provided with a wide range of material handling options from simple auto-load to full warehousing.

A storage tower system can also be configured to suit customer requirements.

Central to the system is the high productivity Omega 1500 turret punch press with up to 10 Auto-Index stations of 88.9mm diameter and an indexable multi-tool with three or eight stations and 0.01 deg incremental orientation positions.

The Omega is a 300kN hydraulic powered machine able to process material up to 8mm thick at 325 hits/min, nibble at 750 hits/min and has a maximum rate of 1,000 hits/min.

The specification of the integrated laser adds options of 1,500, 2,000 or 3,000W fast flow, CO2 laser power with quick change lens and NC focus.

The right angle shear gives the option to shear nested blanks rather than punch or laser cut.

The large 1500mm by 1000mm blade has a progressive shear action which allows shearing across the entire length of the sheet.

Capacity can be specified at 4mm or 6mm with programmable clearance and scrap separation.

The single GE Fanuc 32-bit control is able to operate the entire FMS system including punch, laser, shear, storage and automation which simplifies the operators task, monitoring and programming.

Full digital technology, with a user terminal linked to the CNC via optical interface, incorporates a Windows environment.