SmartFlow System for three laser cutting machines at Termet 4 years after implementation
Four years ago, we launched the first SmartFlow System laser cutting machine automation at Termet – a leading Polish producer of heating appliances such as gas boilers, heat pumps and water heaters, among others. The company decided to automate the operation of three laser cutting machines located in the production hall due to growth and increasing production needs. Four years on, the system is still fulfilling its role, streamlining the operation of the production facility at the sheet-cutting stage.
Originally at Termet, sheet metal cutting was carried out using two laser cutting machines. The sheets were stored on static racks or in stacks, from where operators had to deliver them by forklifts to the laser cutting areas, which were loaded using cranes.
In response to the need to increase production, Termet decided to expand its machine park with a third laser cutting machine (Durma brand) and the SmartFlow System from Baumalog, which is responsible for supplying the laser cutting machines with raw sheet metal, unloading the cut parts and transporting them to access points that move to the sorting zones. The entire system is integrated with the TransferTower automated storage system, which holds up to 324 tonnes of sheet metal in a small area in four storage columns.
Storage in an automated storage system integrated with the automation at Termet provided quick access to several types of sheet metal stored. Thanks to the two-level duo station connecting the storage and automation system, waiting time for material have been reduced to a minimum – two independently moving levels allow the shelves to be changed efficiently between the storage system so that the loading module does not have to wait long for material. An additional advantage are the three access points located next to the table of each laser cutting machine. The access points move to the sorting area, where operators place the cut parts in designated areas, from which they are then passed to the operators of presses, benders and punching machines.
“Before the implementation of automation, the loading operations of the laser cutting machines required the constant engagement of forklift operators to bring the sheets to the cutting area, and the loading of the lasers themselves was carried out using cranes, whose efficiency and speed is lower. Since the implementation of the laser cutting machine automation system, productivity has more than doubled. As a result, we can perform up to 8,000 loading and unloading cycles per month, which fully covers our production needs.” – underlines Paweł Sońko.
The operational accuracy of the automation combined with the laser cutting machines is ensured by the integration of the Baumalog software with the ERP system and the Metalix CAD/CAM programme. This integration enables faultless and efficient production planning and management. After four years of implementation, the SmartFlow System is fully operational with three laser cutting machines working in short programmes (approx. 5 – 15 min) ensuring high production efficiency and significantly increasing ergonomics and safety on the Termet production floor.
Watch video footage from the Termet S.A. production hall. (English subtitles available):
For more information about the system, check out the implementation description: Automation of sheet metal storage and processing at Termet S.A.
For more information about the Termet company, visit: termet.com.pl
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