Automated unloading system for laser tube cutting

This solution frees staff for other tasks, enhances productivity, and serves as the missing link to achieving full automation of the laser tube cutting process chain.

TRUMPF Inc. has announced a new automated unloading system for its laser tube cutting machines. Laser tube cutting machines equipped with the “automated unloading interface with longitudinal belt conveyor” can automatically convey cut tubes to an automation system, which then sorts the parts or delivers them to the next production step for further processing.  The automation solution, which is designed to prevent errors and reduce the operator’s workload, is available for TRUMPF’s 5000 and 7000 series TruLaser Tube laser cutting machines.  

“This new automation technology is another example of how TRUMPF provides solutions that address the real-world requirements of companies in the metal fabrication industry,” says TRUMPF Inc. Executive Vice President Burke Doar. “Laser tube cutting involves a high operator workload, which can be very challenging for many companies. Our solution helps companies tackle the shortage of skilled workers while also improving capacity utilisation. The result is higher productivity and greater competitiveness.”

Compared to many other technologies, laser tube cutting requires significant operator involvement. TruLaser Tube machines are highly productive, which means a production worker needs to be available at regular intervals to remove and sort the cut tubes. With skilled staff in short supply, it can be hard for fabricators to find someone to carry out this task. In addition, the cut tubes tend to be large and unwieldy, so workers are often reluctant to take on this job. TRUMPF’s automated unloading system helps solve this dilemma.

Ideal for medium and high-volume production 

In machines equipped with the new solution, the laser cut tubes are automatically deposited on a belt conveyor. The conveyor transports the parts to the automation system’s safety enclosure. Here, the parts are retrieved by a separate machine known as an integrator, which could be a robot or some other handling device. TRUMPF uses integrators from well-known partners, such as Starmatik and Transfluid, for part retrieval and handling.

None of the automation obstructs or limits the open concept of the laser cutting machine: users are still free to unload parts manually, an option that continues to be particularly advantageous for small batch sizes and intermediate products. TRUMPF’s automated unloading system also features a digital interface that transfers all relevant information about the parts to the integrator. TRUMPF’s Programming Tube software makes this data available to the integrator automatically via the TruLaser Tube’s digital interface. This data makes the next stage simpler, for example by enabling the Starmatik robot to sort cut parts or convey them directly to the next step in the process without having to teach individual positions. This digitalisation solution also saves time and reduces the possibility of errors.

Fully automating the tube process chain 

TRUMPF’s automated unloading system is a particularly good choice for medium and high-volume manufacturers, as well as for job shops that handle orders of various sizes. Typical applications include furniture, fitness machines and agricultural machinery.  

TRUMPF’s automated unloading system is the final link in the chain that enables every step in the tube fabrication process to be automated, including laser tube cutting. The company’s automated loading system, which enables raw material to be taken directly from storage and automatically loaded into the machine, has already been on the market for some time. TRUMPF can also help users to automate their tube-bending and welding processes. To achieve these advances in the tube-processing chain, TRUMPF works with well-known industry partners, including Starmatik, Transfluid and STOPA. 

Advancing Manufacturing Through High-Tech Solutions

TRUMPF is a global high-tech leader specialising in manufacturing solutions for machine tools and laser technology. The company plays a pivotal role in advancing digital connectivity in manufacturing through its expertise in consulting, platform products, and software solutions. As a technology and market leader, TRUMPF delivers highly versatile machine tools for sheet metal processing and cutting-edge industrial laser systems.

In the 2022/23 fiscal year, TRUMPF employed approximately 18,400 people and reported sales of around 5.4 billion euros. With a presence in over 80 subsidiaries worldwide, the TRUMPF Group operates across Europe, North America, South America, and Asia. Its extensive manufacturing footprint includes production facilities in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, the Czech Republic, the United States, Mexico, and China. Through its innovative solutions, TRUMPF continues to drive efficiency, automation, and digital transformation in industrial manufacturing.

Source: TRUMPF