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Sorting System for Cut Parts: Automation and Benefits
Automating the Management of Cut Parts
A sorting system for cut parts makes it possible to automate the management of components obtained from the laser cutting process, reducing the manual operations required to separate, pick and organize the processed parts.
After the sheet metal has been cut, the production process does not end. The parts must be separated from the processed sheet, identified, picked and organized according to the subsequent production stages.
An automatic sorting system can operate precisely at this stage, creating a connection between laser cutting, parts picking and processed material management.
The goal is to make the production process more efficient, reduce manual handling and increase the level of automation of the production line.
What Is a Sorting System for Cut Parts?
A sorting system for cut parts is an automated system designed to manage components obtained from sheet metal cutting.
Once the laser cutting machine has completed the cutting program, the different parts can be automatically picked and managed according to the plant configuration and production requirements.
The system can perform several operations, including:
- picking cut parts;
- separating components from the sheet metal;
- moving the parts;
- organizing components;
- grouping parts;
- transferring components to subsequent production stages.
In this way, sorting becomes an integral part of sheet metal processing automation.
Why Automate the Sorting of Cut Parts?
In traditional production processes, once laser cutting is complete, the operator must intervene to separate and move the parts that have been produced.
This activity can become particularly demanding when handling:
- high production volumes;
- numerous parts on each sheet;
- large sheets;
- repetitive production cycles;
- complex cutting programs;
- production processes with frequent changes in operations.
Automating the sorting process makes it possible to reduce these manual activities and connect the cutting stage with subsequent operations.
The result is a more organized process in which parts are managed directly after processing.
How Does an Automatic Sorting System Work?
The operation of an automatic sorting system can vary depending on the plant configuration, but the process can be outlined through several main stages.
1. Sheet Metal Cutting
The laser cutting machine executes the cutting program and produces the different components required for production.
Once processing is complete, the parts remain inside the machine’s working area and must be separated from the sheet metal.
2. Part Identification
The system can manage information relating to the different components produced, making it possible to organize the sorting process according to the planned production operations.
This allows parts to be associated with different orders, processes or production destinations.
3. Automatic Picking
The sorting system performs the automatic picking of cut parts from the processing area.
Automation reduces the need for manual intervention during the separation and handling of components.
4. Separation and Organization
The parts can be separated and organized according to the plant configuration.
Management can be carried out based on the production order, part type or subsequent production stage.
5. Transfer
Once picked, the components can be transferred to the area designated for subsequent operations.
The process can then continue with assembly, bending, welding, painting or other manufacturing operations.
Laser Cut Parts Sorting
Sorting laser-cut parts is one of the most important stages in completing the automation of a sheet metal processing line.
The laser cutting machine automates the cutting process, but managing the components after processing may still require manual intervention.
Integrating a sorting system makes it possible to extend automation to this stage as well.
This creates a more complete production flow:
STORAGE → LOADING → LASER CUTTING → SORTING → HANDLING → SUBSEQUENT PROCESSING
In this way, sorting is not considered an independent system, but rather as part of a broader automated process.
To learn more about this topic: Laser Cutting Machine with Integrated Storage
What Are the Benefits of Automatic Sorting?
Automating the management of cut parts can provide several benefits within a production department.
Reduced Manual Operations
Picking and handling parts can require a significant amount of manual work.
An automated system makes it possible to reduce these activities and allocate personnel to other higher-value operations.
Greater Production Continuity
Automating the stage following laser cutting reduces the time required to clear the laser cutting machine’s working area.
This can contribute to a more continuous production cycle.
Better Part Organization
The system can manage components according to predefined criteria, making it easier to organize production orders and subsequent processing operations.
Reduced Material Handling
Automated handling reduces the need to manually move components, especially when producing large parts or high volumes of components.
Greater Safety
Reducing manual operations involving metal parts contributes to a more organized production area and limits certain material-handling activities performed by operators.
Automatic Picking of Cut Parts
The automatic picking of cut parts is one of the core functions of a sorting system.
After the laser cutting program has been completed, the system operates on the processed sheet metal to retrieve the components that have been produced.
Picking can be organized according to the geometry of the parts, their dimensions, weight and production requirements.
The goal is to prevent operators from having to manually retrieve each individual component.
To learn more about this topic: Automatic Cut Parts Picking
Sheet Metal Sorting and Part Management
The term sheet metal sorting can refer to the set of operations required to separate and organize the parts obtained from the cutting process.
The system therefore does not simply pick up the component, but can be integrated into a broader material management process.
Proper organization of the parts reduces post-cutting operations and makes it easier to transfer components to other production stages.
To learn more: Sheet Metal Sorting
Integration Between the Laser Cutting Machine and the Sorting System
The highest level of automation can be achieved when the sorting system is designed to work together with the laser cutting machine.
In this case, the different components of the plant can be connected within a single process.
The production line can include:
- sheet metal storage system;
- handling system;
- automatic loading system;
- laser cutting machine;
- sorting system;
- parts handling;
- subsequent production stages.
Integration therefore makes it possible to automate not only the loading of raw material, but also the management of the products obtained from the cutting process.
From Storage to Sorting: An Automated Process
Automation can be developed throughout the entire sheet metal workflow.
The process can start from the automatic warehouse and continue through to the management of cut parts:
SHEET METAL STORAGE
↓ MATERIAL PICKING
↓ AUTOMATIC LOADING
↓ LASER CUTTING
↓ AUTOMATIC SORTING
↓ PART MANAGEMENT
This approach makes it possible to create a production line in which both raw material and processed products are managed through automated systems.
To learn more about storage: Automatic Sheet Metal Storage
Automatic Sorting for Different Production Requirements
A sorting system can be configured according to the characteristics of the production process.
The solution must take several factors into account:
- part dimensions;
- component weight;
- number of parts produced;
- sheet metal format;
- type of processing;
- frequency of cutting cycles;
- production order management methods;
- available space in the production area.
Proper evaluation of these factors makes it possible to design a system that meets actual production requirements.
Sorting and Production Automation
Sorting represents an important evolution in sheet metal processing automation.
Automating only the cutting process can leave some of the subsequent operations manual.
Integrating sorting, on the other hand, makes it possible to extend automation to the management of the parts produced.
This approach can be particularly interesting for companies looking to increase the autonomy of their laser cutting lines and reduce manual operations.
Sorting and Industry 4.0
A sorting system can be integrated into a broader production digitalization and automation project.
Managing data related to cutting programs and produced parts can help coordinate the different stages of the process.
When sorting, the laser cutting machine, loading systems and storage systems are integrated, the production line can achieve a significantly higher level of automation.
Sorting therefore becomes a connecting element between sheet metal processing and subsequent production stages.
When Is It Worth Installing a Sorting System?
Sorting automation can be particularly interesting for companies handling high production volumes or looking to reduce manual work after laser cutting.
An automatic system can be considered when:
- production generates numerous parts from each sheet;
- manual picking requires a significant amount of time;
- the laser cutting machine needs to operate with greater autonomy;
- frequent production cycles are carried out;
- there is a need to reduce manual handling;
- better organization of produced parts is required;
- sorting needs to be integrated with other automation systems already present in the production area.
Integrating Sorting into an Existing Production Line
Introducing a sorting system does not necessarily require replacing the entire production line.
In certain situations, it is possible to evaluate the integration of the system with a laser cutting machine already installed at the facility.
Feasibility must be assessed by considering the characteristics of the machine, the production area layout, part dimensions, material flow and the way cut material is currently managed.
An integration project should therefore begin with an analysis of the entire production process.
A Scalable Sorting System
Not every company requires the same level of automation.
For this reason, the system can be designed according to current requirements while maintaining the possibility of integrating additional automation technologies in the future.
Modularity makes it possible to progressively develop the process by connecting sorting systems with loading systems, automatic warehouses and other technologies already present in the production area.
This makes it possible to create a system proportionate to actual production requirements.
BEMATIK’s Experience in Sheet Metal Automation
BEMATIK Srl develops robotic systems for automating processes related to sheet metal processing, from handling and loading to sorting and warehouse management. The BEMATIK website presents sorting as one of the main areas of its automation solutions.
The company has more than 25 years of specific experience in automation systems serving laser cutting machines and several hundred installations worldwide.
Systems can be designed according to the characteristics of the production line, available space and production requirements.
BEMATIK also has experience in developing customized solutions and integrating them with existing production systems.
An Integrated System for Managing Cut Parts
A sorting system for cut parts makes it possible to automate an important stage of the sheet metal processing process.
After laser cutting, parts can be picked, separated, organized and transferred to subsequent production stages with reduced manual intervention.
Integration with loading, handling and storage systems also makes it possible to extend automation across the entire production workflow.
The goal is therefore not simply to automate parts picking, but to create a process in which storage, loading, cutting, sorting and component management are connected to one another.
For companies looking to increase the level of automation in sheet metal processing, sorting represents an important opportunity to improve organization, production continuity and the management of cut parts.
