Sigma link has launched highly flexible automation equipment for heavy blanks from ap&t. The press automation equipment is designed to automatically handle blanks and pre-fabricated details for manufacturing of lorry frames or any other sheet metal parts up to 160 kg weight. A blank feeder, type bf-h, separates, lubricates and positions rectangular and shaped blanks up to a size of 3000 x 1000 x 7 mm [l x w x t].Two 3-axis free programmable press robots type cd 100-3000 with a lifting power of 100 kg each, had been installed on each of the 4 press sides. A total weight of 200 kg can be handled on each press side when operating completely synchronised by means of a 6-axis fully synchronised control system. The press robots can be moved upward 1300 mm with a height slider to achieve more space for manual operation, tool changing, and for service and maintenance at the tandem press. The transport between the two presses as well as the transport to an automatic intermediate station, the so-called buffering magazine, is performed by two freely programmable shuttles. Since the whole process consists of several manufacturing operations the semi-finished details are taken out of the press and left on special pallets by a press robot. These pallets are stored one on top of the other in the buffering magazine. From there they will be picked up again for reloading into the same presses. The whole process is fully automated. The number of manufacturing operations has no influence on the automation equipment and the shuttles are equipped with turning and tilting devices which can be utilized to change the parts orientation when necessary.
