Lasers cutting blanks for the Smart Press Shop

At the beginning of June, Porsche and Schuler started operation of a fully connected press shop in East German Halle (Saale). As well as a servo press line with an output of up to 20 strokes per minute, the Smart Press Shop also features a new Laser Blanking Line 2.18 equipped with two cutting heads for processing strip material with a width of up to 1,880mm.

“Blanking lines with lasers do not require expensive and heavy blanking dies, which is why they are particularly suitable for the production of new parts or small batch sizes with frequent product changes. The continuously moving coil material is processed into blanks at high cutting speeds. Thanks to tooling-free scrap separation, high output can be achieved. Transport of sensitive materials, such as aluminium, can also be made,” the companies told ISMR.

“The Laser Blanking Line is the ideal solution for the Smart Press Shop in Halle, which focuses on the production of aluminium outer skin parts in small batch sizes. By recording various measured values of the system, as well as the coil material, and by smart marking of the blank, the line which supplies the blanks for the servo press line forms the point of departure for a ‘Track and Trace’ system,” they continued.

Schuler offers customised technology in all areas of forming – from the networked press to press shop planning. Its product line also includes automation and software solutions, dies, process expertise and service for the metalworking industry. Founded in 1839 with headquarters in Göppingen, Germany, Schuler AG has about 5,000 employees at production sites in Europe, China and America, as well as service companies in more than 40 countries. The company is part of the international technology group, ANDRITZ.

For further details, see www.schulergroup.com/laserblanking or www.smartpress.shop