By automatically handling the workpieces, the articulated arm robot turns the manual saw into an automated processing cell.

IMA Schelling Precision has developed a highly productive system for cutting aluminum plates. It is based on a manual panel-sizing saw of the fm-series in combination with an articulated-arm robot and a manipulation surface with air cushions. Together they form a fully automated solution for cutting aluminum sheets. The robot takes over the feeding and handling of the aluminum plates at the saw, the stacking of the blanks and the removal of the remnants. This solution impresses with high productivity - but also with efficient use of resources of all kinds.

Thanks to the high degree of automation, the system works without any operating personnel. A machine operator previously employed at the saw can thus be efficiently deployed in other areas. The advantage of this automation solution is most apparent in the cutting of small parts. This takes a lot of time, even when relatively small quantities of material are being processed. The robot enables the system to perform this task unattended, for example on a night shift or ghost shift. The material residues are disposed of by a specially designed disposal system. This sorts them by type into disposal containers according to the alloys. The robot can be used universally for handling tasks. During non-productive or downtimes, it can take over other tasks, thus freeing up further resources.

The high efficiency of this system is also reflected in the reduced energy requirements. The control system adapts the energy consumption of the electric motors to the current operating status. During long cuts, it reduces the compressed air supply to the air cushion. During non-productive times, the motors are reduced to a minimum speed, but not switched off. This avoids the high power requirements of powerful drive motors when ramping up from standstill. In this way, energy is only used in this automatic cell when it serves productivity.