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Automatically Organizing Laser-Cut Parts to Streamline the Production Process
Laser-cut parts sorting makes it possible to automate one of the stages that follows sheet metal processing: managing the components produced by the cutting machine.
At the end of the laser cutting cycle, a single sheet metal sheet can contain numerous different parts intended for different processing operations, production orders or departments. Manually picking and organizing all these components can take time and slow down the production flow.
A sorting system makes it possible to automate the separation, picking and handling of cut parts, connecting the laser cutting machine more efficiently to the subsequent stages of production.
What Is Laser-Cut Parts Sorting?
Laser-cut parts sorting includes the operations required to automatically handle and organize the components produced when processing sheet metal.
The cutting process can produce different parts simultaneously, varying in shape, size and destination. Once the cycle is complete, these components must be removed from the work area and organized according to production requirements.
Sorting makes it possible to automate these operations, turning part handling into an integrated stage of the production process.
This topic therefore falls within the broader concept of a sorting system for cut parts, which includes technologies designed for the automated handling of components after cutting.
Why Automate Laser-Cut Parts Sorting?
The speed of the laser cutting machine is not the only factor that determines the efficiency of a production process.
What happens after cutting can also have a significant impact on productivity. If components have to be manually picked, separated and organized after every cycle, waiting times can occur and limit the overall performance of the system.
Automating sorting makes it possible to improve this stage, reducing repetitive operations and creating a more continuous flow between cutting, picking and component handling.
Reducing Manual Operations
Manual part handling can require operators to be constantly present, especially when the machine operates frequently and produces a large number of components.
An automatic system reduces these activities and allows personnel to focus on production supervision, control and management.
Faster Changeover Between Cycles
Removing parts from the cutting area is necessary before subsequent processing can begin.
Automating sorting helps reduce the time required to handle the material produced and can facilitate the transition from one processing cycle to the next.
Improving Component Organization
Parts produced by cutting may belong to different production orders. Automatically organizing them helps maintain better material management and facilitates subsequent production stages.
How Does Laser-Cut Parts Sorting Work?
The sorting process can vary depending on the system configuration and the characteristics of the parts produced. In general, automation involves several operations that work together.
Identifying the Components
The system manages information about the parts located in the work area and their position on the sheet metal.
This information makes it possible to organize subsequent picking according to the production program.
Picking the Parts
Once the components have been identified, the system performs automatic cut parts picking.
The goal is to remove the components from the cutting area while reducing manual intervention and preparing the material for subsequent stages.
Separating the Components
The parts are separated from the remaining sheet metal and handled according to the characteristics of the production process.
This stage is particularly important when the nesting contains numerous different components.
Organization and Handling
After picking, the parts can be organized and transferred to the destination specified by the production process.
The system therefore connects the cutting stage with subsequent operations, preventing components from being left in a disorganized manner in the production area.
Part Sorting and Laser Nesting
Sorting is closely connected to the way parts are arranged on the sheet metal during the nesting stage.
A laser cutting machine can optimize the arrangement of geometries to make the best possible use of the material and produce numerous components within the same cycle.
As the number of parts in the nesting increases, managing them after cutting can become more complex.
A sorting system transforms this complexity into an organized process, handling components automatically and consistently with production requirements.
Automatic Sorting for Parts with Different Shapes and Sizes
The components produced by laser cutting can have very different characteristics.
A production system may simultaneously produce small and large parts, simple components and more complex geometries, intended for different production orders.
For this reason, the sorting system must be designed around the specific characteristics of the components to be handled.
The most important factors include:
- part dimensions;
- component weight;
- shape and geometry;
- sheet metal thickness;
- number of components produced;
- frequency of cutting cycles;
- production order organization.
Evaluating these parameters makes it possible to design a system that is consistent with the actual production requirements.
Laser-Cut Parts Sorting and Production Order Management
One of the main benefits of automation concerns the management of production environments with many different orders.
A single machine may process components during the same day that are intended for different customers, orders or production stages.
When parts are collected manually, keeping different components separate can become more complex.
Sorting creates a more structured management process, making it easier to organize parts and reducing the risk of mixing components belonging to different production runs.
The Role of Automatic Picking in Sorting
Automatic picking is one of the fundamental stages of the sorting process.
Automatically picking components from the cutting area creates the physical connection between the laser cutting machine and the system that manages the parts afterward.
Picking and sorting can therefore be considered two complementary functions:
- picking removes components from the processing area;
- sorting manages their separation, organization and destination.
When the two functions are integrated, the process becomes more continuous and can further reduce the need for manual intervention.
Integrating Sorting with the Laser Cutting Machine
Laser-cut parts sorting is most effective when it is designed together with the laser cutting machine and the other automation systems installed in the production area.
The process can be organized as a workflow in which the different stages are connected:
- sheet metal management and storage;
- laser cutting machine loading;
- component cutting;
- automatic picking;
- part sorting;
- transfer to subsequent processing operations.
This makes sorting part of an integrated production process rather than simply an operation performed after cutting.
For more information about the relationship between automation and raw material management, you can also visit the page dedicated to sheet metal sorting.
Sorting and Production Continuity
An efficient production process must consider every stage between the entry of raw material and the output of the finished product.
In laser cutting, the time required to remove and organize components can affect the overall production flow.
Automating sorting reduces manual operations and creates a more continuous transition between laser processing and subsequent operations.
This can be particularly important in production environments characterized by high volumes and numerous cutting cycles.
Automatic Sorting for Diversified Production
Sorting requirements can vary significantly depending on the type of production.
A company producing large quantities of the same component will have different requirements from a company that continuously handles different production orders and small batches.
In the latter case, the ability to quickly organize numerous different parts can become particularly important.
A system designed around the characteristics of the production process makes it possible to manage these variables and integrate sorting into the production flow.
Sorting and Production Area Organization
Automating part handling can also help improve the organization of production areas.
Manual collection can result in numerous components accumulating around the laser cutting machine, especially when several consecutive cycles are completed.
Automatically managing picking and handling makes it possible to organize the material more effectively and keep the work area more orderly.
Better organization can also facilitate component identification and their transfer to subsequent production stages.
Sorting and Automation of the Entire Process
Laser-cut parts sorting represents one stage within a broader automation process.
When integrated with loading, handling and storage systems, it can contribute to creating a workflow in which sheet metal is managed automatically from the moment it enters the production area through to the production of the components.
Automatic sheet metal storage can manage the raw material before cutting, while sorting subsequently handles the organization of the parts produced.
This approach makes it possible to consider automation not as a series of independent machines, but as a coordinated system.
When Should You Consider Sorting Automation?
Automatic sorting can be particularly interesting for companies that need to handle a large number of parts after laser cutting.
Situations in which it may be useful to consider this solution include:
- production with many cutting cycles per day;
- nesting layouts containing numerous components;
- frequent changes in production orders;
- production of parts with different shapes and sizes;
- the need to reduce manual handling;
- the need to improve organization in the production area;
- the need to connect laser cutting with subsequent processing operations.
The choice of solution should be based on the production process as a whole and the characteristics of the system.
A Sorting System Designed Around Your Production
There is no single sorting solution that is suitable for every company.
The configuration must take into account the laser cutting machine, the characteristics of the sheet metal being processed, the parts produced and the way production orders are managed.
Available space and material flow within the production area can also influence the system design.
A customized solution makes it possible to integrate sorting into the existing process and adapt automation to actual production requirements.
Integrating Sorting into an Existing Production Line
Sorting automation can also be considered by companies that already have a laser cutting machine and an established production process.
In these cases, it is necessary to analyze the system configuration, available space and the way cut parts are currently handled.
The goal is to identify a solution that can integrate with existing equipment and improve component flow without introducing unnecessary complexity.
BEMATIK’s Experience in Sheet Metal Automation
BEMATIK develops automation solutions for sheet metal processing, covering the different stages of the process, from loading and handling to sorting and material management.
The company has more than 25 years of experience in the sector and over 600 installations worldwide.
This experience makes it possible to address different production requirements and develop systems designed to integrate with customers’ industrial processes.
The goal is to create reliable automation solutions designed for continuous operation and capable of delivering value throughout the production process.
From Laser Cutting to Automated Part Management
Laser-cut parts sorting makes it possible to automate a fundamental stage of production, connecting the end of the cutting cycle with the subsequent handling of the components.
Picking, separation, organization and handling can be integrated into a single process, reducing manual operations and improving production flow continuity.
By integrating sorting with loading systems and automatic sheet metal storage, it is possible to create an even more comprehensive process in which raw materials and components are managed in a coordinated manner.
Discover BEMATIK solutions for automatic sorting and learn more about how to automate the handling of parts produced by laser cutting.
