At Tube, Trumpf showed, among other things, a new technology for automated loading of laser tube cutting machines and another for reducing spatter on the inside of the tube.
With the loading solution that Trumpf developed together with Stopa, the pipes automatically pass from the storage system to the pipe cutting machine. For the first time, companies can use it to automate the loading of their tube processing machines. This reduces unproductive downtime and increases manufacturing productivity.
Trumpf Product Manager Dominik Straus: “Our solution is a first important step towards complete automation in tube production. Companies can use it to make their production even more flexible and secure competitive advantages. As a solution provider, Trumpf is thus proving its pioneering role for digitally networked manufacturing.”
The new process also enables companies to change materials more quickly and produce small quantities economically. The solution is available immediately for the TruLaser Tube 7000 fiber machine and can be retrofitted.
Automation is suitable for pipes with a size up to 8.05 meters. Stopa bearings are available in various sizes and designs. This means they can be easily adapted and integrated into existing factories. Companies can use automation in conjunction with Trumpf’s new Oseon software for production planning and control.
© Trumpf
Fully automated from the bearing to the cutting head
The solution from Trumpf and Stopa consists of the interaction of three new components: a pipe storage system, a tilt excavation station and a conveyor unit. All components are digitally networked with each other.
In the pipe store, the raw material is stored in cassettes. The operator can request the required material from the pipe store via the machine. A cassette lift then automatically brings the cassette with the desired material down and places it in the tilt lift station. The tilt lift station then moves to the machine and transfers the storage cassette with the pipes to the conveyor unit. This provides the tubes individually or in layers to the LoadMaster Tube from Trumpf, which places them in the machine’s chuck. From here, they automatically travel to the cutting head, where they are processed. The solution automatically returns any remaining tubes to the store.
Less effort for programming and intralogistics
The solution is suitable for any company that wants to increase its efficiency in manufacturing through automation. “The employees in logistics and production have to worry less about transporting and providing materials, and they also save travel time. The programming effort is also reduced because the solution makes many settings automatically,” says Straus.
“Spatter Guard” significantly simplifies cleaning of the inside of the pipe
With the “Spatter Guard”, Trumpf is showing a new technology at the Tube trade fair that significantly simplifies the cleaning of tube insides. During the cutting process, metal slag spatter is deposited on the inside of the pipe. Employees have to remove these manually for many applications. This is tedious and takes time.
With the Spatter Guard from Trumpf, a release agent is automatically sprayed onto the inside of the tube before the cutting process. The Spatter Guard, which is attached to the LoadMaster Tube, moves through the tube during the loading process and distributes the release agent evenly on the inside of the tube.
While the machine is cutting, the Spatter Guard is already preparing the next pipe for the cutting process. This relieves the workforce, reduces rework and increases the processing quality of the inside of the pipe. The Spatter Guard is now available for the TruLaser Tube 3000 fiber.
Trumpf offers manufacturing solutions in the areas of machine tools and laser technology. The company is driving forward the digital networking of the manufacturing industry through consulting, platform and software offerings. Trumpf is the technology and market leader in machine tools for flexible sheet metal processing and in industrial lasers. In 2020/21 the company generated sales of 3.5 billion euros with around 14,800 employees. With more than 80 subsidiaries, the Group is represented in almost all European countries, in North and South America, and in Asia. Production sites are located in Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy, Austria and Switzerland, in Poland, the Czech Republic, the USA, Mexico and China.
Web:
www.trumpf.com
