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Automatic Cut Parts Picking: Laser Cutting Automation
Automating Part Picking After Laser Cutting to Improve Production Efficiency
Automatic cut parts picking is an important stage in sheet metal processing automation. At the end of the laser cutting cycle, the components produced must be removed from the work area, separated and transferred to the next stages of production.
When this activity is performed manually, it can require time and constant operator intervention, especially when dealing with numerous parts, frequent cutting cycles and varied production runs.
A system for automatic cut parts picking makes it possible to automate this stage and integrate it into a broader process that includes cutting, sorting and component handling.
What Is Automatic Cut Parts Picking?
Automatic picking involves the automated handling of components produced by laser cutting, with the aim of removing them from the processing area and directing them to their intended destination.
After cutting, the work surface may contain numerous components with different shapes, dimensions and characteristics. The picking system handles these parts without relying exclusively on manual handling for every operation.
Picking can therefore represent the first step in an automatic sorting process, in which components are subsequently separated, organized and handled according to production requirements.
Why Automate Cut Parts Picking?
Collecting components can become particularly demanding when the laser cutting machine is used intensively throughout the day.
Each cutting cycle can produce numerous parts that must be removed from the work area before they can be handled during subsequent stages.
Automating picking addresses this specific activity and can provide several benefits for production organization.
Reduced Manual Operations
The first benefit is the ability to reduce repetitive activities performed by operators.
Manually collecting components can require frequent and continuous intervention. An automatic system can instead take over this stage, allowing operators to focus on supervision and process control.
Reduced Handling Times
The time required to manually collect and transfer parts can affect the overall efficiency of the process.
An automatic system makes the transition from cutting to subsequent operations faster and more organized.
Greater Process Continuity
Automatic picking helps create a more continuous flow between the laser cutting machine and the part management system.
This can reduce waiting times associated with manual operations and make better use of the production capacity of the system.
Better Component Organization
Automated handling makes it possible to transfer parts to the areas specified by the production process, maintaining better organization of the material produced.
How Does Automatic Cut Parts Picking Work?
The way the system operates depends on the configuration of the production line and its specific requirements, but the process can generally be divided into several stages.
Identifying the Parts
At the end of the cutting cycle, the system must manage the position of the components located in the work area.
Information about the position of the parts makes it possible to organize picking according to the nesting configuration and production requirements.
Picking the Components
The system then performs the automatic removal of cut parts, handling the components according to the specified sequence and operating conditions.
Automation reduces the need for manual intervention and makes material handling more structured.
Separating the Parts from the Sheet Metal
Once cutting is complete, the components must be separated from the remaining sheet metal.
Automating this stage makes it possible to distinguish the finished parts from the material that will not be sent to subsequent processing operations.
Transferring the Parts
The picked components can then be transferred to their intended destination, such as a collection area, a subsequent processing area or a system dedicated to part handling and sorting.
Automatic Picking After Laser Cutting
Laser-cut parts picking becomes particularly relevant when the production process involves numerous cycles throughout the day.
The laser cutting machine may process different types of sheet metal and produce components intended for different production orders. At the end of each cycle, the material produced therefore needs to be handled quickly and in an organized manner.
When this activity is performed manually, the time spent collecting parts can increase as production volumes grow.
Automation makes it possible to connect the cutting stage with the picking stage, creating a more continuous process and reducing activities that do not directly add value to the production process.
Which Parts Can Be Picked Automatically?
The characteristics of the parts produced can vary considerably depending on the type of processing.
A picking system must therefore be designed around the characteristics of the components it will handle.
The main factors to consider include:
- part dimensions;
- component weight;
- shape and geometry;
- thickness of the processed sheet metal;
- number of components in the nesting;
- frequency of cutting cycles;
- production order management requirements.
Evaluating these parameters makes it possible to define a solution that is consistent with the production process and the characteristics of the system.
Automatic Picking and Part Sorting
Picking and sorting are closely related operations, but they are not the same.
Automatic picking mainly concerns the removal and handling of parts from the cutting area. Sorting involves broader component management, which can include part separation, organization and destination management.
In an automated production line, the two functions can be integrated into the same production flow.
The process can therefore follow a sequence such as:
- sheet metal cutting;
- component identification;
- automatic picking;
- part separation;
- sorting and organization;
- transfer to the next stage.
For more information about how this process works as a whole, see the article dedicated to sheet metal sorting.
Automatic Picking and Production Order Management
Part management after cutting becomes more complex when a machine processes multiple production orders at the same time.
Different components may be produced during the same cycle and must subsequently be organized in a way that keeps the different production orders separate.
An automated system makes it possible to structure this stage more effectively, reducing the need to manually collect and organize each individual component.
Picking can therefore become part of a broader process of automated production order management.
Automatic Picking and Productivity
The productivity of a laser cutting machine does not depend exclusively on cutting speed.
Operations taking place before and after the processing cycle can also affect the efficiency of the entire system.
If the machine completes a cycle quickly but the parts then have to be collected manually, a bottleneck can occur in the subsequent stages.
Automating picking makes it possible to improve this part of the process and create greater continuity between cutting, handling and sorting.
Integration with the Laser Cutting Machine
The picking system must be designed around the laser cutting machine and the overall production line configuration.
Work area dimensions, sheet metal characteristics, nesting configuration, number of parts and available space are some of the factors that must be considered during the design process.
Integration turns picking into an automated stage of the production process rather than a separate activity performed manually at the end of each cycle.
Integration with Sheet Metal Loading and Storage
Part picking can be incorporated into a broader automation system.
Before cutting, sheet metal can be managed through automatic storage and machine loading systems. After cutting, the process can continue with component picking and sorting.
This creates a workflow that can include:
- sheet metal storage;
- laser cutting machine loading;
- component cutting;
- automatic picking;
- part sorting;
- transfer to subsequent processing operations.
The goal is to reduce interruptions and create a more integrated production process.
Automatic Picking in High-Variety Production
Automatic picking can be particularly useful for companies handling production characterized by a high variety of components.
When production orders change frequently, operators may have to continuously handle parts that differ in shape, size and quantity.
Automating handling makes this stage more structured and allows the process to adapt to different production configurations.
This approach is particularly interesting for companies working with small batches, numerous production orders and frequent production changes.
Automatic Picking and Workplace Safety
Manual handling of parts can involve repetitive activities and the need to handle components with different physical characteristics.
Automating these operations reduces the presence of operators during repetitive handling activities and allows human resources to focus on system supervision and control.
Automation must, of course, be designed with consideration for operating conditions and the safety requirements applicable to the industrial environment.
Integrating Automatic Picking into an Existing Production Line
Picking automation can also be considered when a company already has a laser cutting machine and an operational production line.
In this case, it is necessary to analyze the existing configuration, available space, material flows and the way parts are managed after cutting.
Custom design makes it possible to assess how the picking system can be integrated into the production line without compromising the organization of the manufacturing process.
How to Choose an Automatic Cut Parts Picking System?
The choice of a solution should start from the actual characteristics of the production process rather than solely from the theoretical performance of the system.
It is important to consider:
- type and characteristics of the laser cutting machine;
- part dimensions and weight;
- production volumes;
- number of daily cycles;
- component variety;
- available space in the production area;
- integration requirements with sorting, handling and storage.
A comprehensive assessment makes it possible to identify a solution that is genuinely useful for the production process.
A Picking System Designed Around Your Production
Every sheet metal processing operation has specific characteristics. For this reason, automatic cut parts picking must be designed around the requirements of the production line.
An effective solution must integrate with the laser cutting machine, the available space and the subsequent processing stages.
The goal is not simply to automate a single operation, but to create a workflow in which picking contributes directly to the overall efficiency of the production process.
BEMATIK’s Experience in Sheet Metal Automation
BEMATIK develops automation systems for sheet metal processing, with solutions dedicated to 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 projects with different production requirements and develop systems designed to integrate with existing equipment and the customer’s operational needs.
From Automatic Picking to Part Sorting
Automatic cut parts picking makes it possible to automate a stage that directly follows the laser cutting process and can have a significant impact on production continuity.
Automatically removing, separating and handling components reduces manual operations and creates a smoother connection between the laser cutting machine and subsequent production stages.
By integrating picking with an automatic sorting system, it is possible to manage produced parts more comprehensively, from their removal from the cutting area through to their organization and handling.
Discover BEMATIK solutions for automating cut parts handling and integrating picking into the production process.
