In sawing applications, speed of cut is a major contributing factor towards productivity, but whilst the performance of a sawing machine and blade is important it becomes irrelevant if the cut component cannot be removed quickly. Efficient material handling therefore is a key element in the overall process.

According to metalcutting bandsaw and machine specialist, Prosaw, a fundamental question needs to be asked: after a stock bar has been processed how long does it take to load and start processing the next item? The company argues that if it takes 30 minutes to saw a component and then a further 10 minutes for a forklift/crane to remove it, this will have a significant impact on productivity.

Prosaw has been supplying high performance bandsaws to the UK industry for 50 years and has developed a design and manufacturing division to provide a solution to the problem of moving material to and from machines. From basic input and output conveyors to fully automated handling systems, the savings can be substantial.

A typical application highlighted by the company involved a standard semi-automatic bandsaw as a starting point. Prosaw’s design division developed an automatic magazine feeding system with a 6m feed which was NC programmable and worked incrementally so that different lengths and long lengths could be processed. Each individual component was marked using a dot marking system as it was being cut. The cut components were then automatically ejected onto a stillage area.

As the customer sold the cut lengths by weight the components were then deposited into individual pockets which were fitted with load cells to measure a predetermined number of components. When the correct number of components had been deposited into a particular pocket, a printing machine automatically produced a label providing details of customer details, component size, material specification, traceability number, and weight of bundle.

Prosaw
www.prosaw.co.uk