
Use of lasers for cutting blanks has proven to be a feasible technology for cutting shapes from stationary, sheared, rectangular-shaped blanks. But limitations in cutting speeds, coupled with challenges in finding efficient ways to integrate the technology into a mass production line for developed blanks, have hindered laser cutting for high-volume applications. Until recently, available solutions for applying lasers to sheet metal blanking typically incorporated robots (loading/unloading tables and destacking systems) to present an automated solution, essentially adding steps to the process. As such, laser cutting approaches were used only for prototype and very low-volume production of complex-shaped sheet metal blanks—read more using the link below...