Method for operating a laser blanking system for cutting a blank from a stock material

摘要

A laser blanking system for cutting material stock includes a first series of conveyor lanes that include a plurality of support conveyors which are situated in parallel, generally spaced apart relationships. A second series of conveyor lanes is situated downstream from the first series. The second series includes a plurality of support conveyors situated in parallel, generally spaced apart relationships with respect to each other. The laser blanking system further includes a multiple-axis gantry system. The multiple-axis gantry includes a moveable transverse-axis component is supported by and moveable along a longitudinal-axis component that is situated adjacent to a longitudinal edge of the first and second series. A moveable laser head is supported by the transverse-axis component. A controller operatively controls movements of each one conveyor of the first and second lanes, the transverse-axis component, and the laser head as stock material is indexed downstream and supported by the system.

主权项

1. A method for operating a laser blanking system for cutting a blank from a stock material, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a laser cutting station comprising a laser moveable along both a longitudinal axis of the system and a transverse axis of the system, a plurality of first support conveyors located on an upstream side of the laser cutting station extending along the longitudinal axis of the system and arranged adjacent to one another along the transverse axis in a substantially parallel, spaced-apart relationship, the first support conveyors each being linearly extensible and retractable along the longitudinal axis of the system independently from one another, and a plurality of second support conveyors located on an downstream side of the laser cutting station extending along the longitudinal axis of the system and being arranged adjacent to one another along the transverse axis of the system in a substantially parallel, spaced-apart relationship, the second support conveyors each being linearly extensible and retractable along the longitudinal axis of the system independently from one another; (b) extending or retracting at least one first support conveyor and at least one second support conveyor of the system to a first processing position; (c) advancing the stock material to a first position at the laser cutting station; (d) performing at least one first laser cutting routine on the stock material with the laser; and (e) advancing a developed blank downstream of the laser cutting station.