Laser Blanking Line Means Significant Material Save

Although using a laser for blanking operations is not out of the ordinary, a new approach developed by Schuler—called “Dynamic Flow Technology”—can make a significant difference when it comes to saving materials by minimizing scrap.

• Typical flatbed laser blanking is performed on rectangular blanks. This can result in scrap of approximately 2.4-inches per side. Also, for purposes of robotic scrap separation and stacking, there is typically a scrap grid width of 0.8 to 1.2-inches around the part.
• With that, assume a blank to produce two hoods on the flatbed laser. It would require a blank measuring 89 x 87 inches.
• The Dynamic Flow Technology (DFT) allows the hoods to be cut directly from a coil. To cut the same hoods a feed length of 81 inches and a coil width of 85 inches would be required.
• For the two hoods, the amount of scrap savings using the DFT compared to the flatbed method is approximately 11%.

Note the material savings that can be achieved by using the Dynamic Flow Technology approach vs. flatbed laser blanking. (Images: Schuler)

Schuler also says that DFT is faster than the flatbed laser, resulting in more parts per minute.

• A flatbed laser can produce three hoods per minute.
• The DFT approach can produce up to 35 hoods per minute, or some 1,700 per hour (with an overall equipment efficiency of >80%).

The Schuler line for processing parts like aluminum hoods.