APEX DYNAMICS CASE STUDY: Fully automated laser cutting center with vertical storage system
5.2.2019 | How to ensure automated sheet metal insertion and removal in an innovative installation of laser cutting machines? We have been involved in the development of an innovative laser sheet cutting system, together with the creation of an automated storage system. We will introduce this to you today and describe it in a case study for HVL Metaalbewerking from Liessel in the Netherlands.
Many companies wish to get such a contract, but they have decided to solve this question themselves at HVL. This led to the development of a fully automatic vertical storage and production system that is managed directly from their ERP system. Apex Dynamics helped with its expertise and products to contribute to this unique solution. Challenge: Increased storage capacity and automation of traffic and material processing A few years ago, HVL felt the need to create more storage space for its own sheets of steel sheets and also automated the transportation and processing of sheets. This saves time and prevents recurrent manipulation.
Instead of outsourcing, this project was implemented internally by itself. The result is Optistore: a fully automated vertical storage system complete with a mobile robotic arm that automatically transports / removes the required material for two innovated laser cutting machines. All sheet metal, semi-finished products or finished products can be stored very efficiently and simply together, without unnecessary time losses or costs associated with incorrect handling or storage of the product. The logistics and management of the whole system takes place from the central ERP.
Optistore options
The Optistore HVL storage system is 48 meters long, 6 meters deep and 8 meters high, with a total of 700 separate shelves, each carrying up to 2,000 kg of sheet metal sheets with maximum dimensions of 3000 x 1500 x 25 mm. Optistore effectively supplies material to two modern laser cutting machines, reduces the time required to execute orders, provides safer handling of heavy material, saves staff costs, and significantly increases work efficiency. At the same time, thanks to the sophisticated system, steel, stainless steel and aluminum can be stored in one system without the risk of contamination and subsequent deterioration.
Laser cutting machine with robotic arm Depending on the speed of the Optistore storage system and its supplies of materials, it was necessary to improve the laser burning machines, which were equipped with a mobile robotic arm. To ensure linear displacement and achieve a high standard, an indestructible, powerful and accurate planetary gearbox of the AF series (size 140), toothed ridges with Q6 angled gears and Q5 quality sprockets were used. The robotic arm is located at the entry and exit tables of the firing machine for their operation, but this station can also leave, for which the same drive unit is used.
APEX DYNAMICS in Industry 4.0
With this solution, HVL can remove the cut-off products from the sheet, collect them on a specified pallet / location, calculate, store, and pass backing information back to the ERP system. The huge benefit of the whole system is its high modularity and resulting not only cost but also time efficiency of production. After a long time development, a very stable process has been achieved, proving the potential of the current trend – industry 4.0. Thanks to this automation, HVL is capable of automatically setting up and removing steel boards with full registration of all the manufactured parts on their machines.
APEX DYNAMICS has not only delivered components, but has also made application calculations and choosing the right components for the 3D STP models. And how exactly the application has been counted, now works. In the future, it is of course possible to make adjustments because HVL is currently considering the possibility of providing the system to third parties whose requirements may be different.
About HVL
Metaalbewerking HVL Metaalbewerking is an innovative medium-sized company with approximately 85 employees and is located in the town of Liessel in North Brabant, the Netherlands. The company celebrates its 25th anniversary on May 25, 2019. With great enthusiasm and enthusiasm, he is constantly working on improving his professional level, the quality of his products, internal and external relationships and the benefits to his clients. There is strong confidence in the intuition and quality and thinking that people and innovation make up unity. HVL Metaalbewerking is a supplier of parts for the construction of machinery, industrial equipment and focuses on the transport, logistics, food, agriculture, horticulture, automotive and packaging industries.
