American Metal Fab Navigating Innovation: Approach to Cutting-Edge Laser
In the illuminating article “Cutting’s Current State: Laser Cutting on the Bleeding Edge” featured on The Fabricator, emerges as a trailblazer in the realm of precision metal cutting, with a keen eye on optimizing every facet of their cutting and bending operations.
Operating within a dynamic customer mix, caters to both large-scale clients with substantial capacity demands and a diverse array of projects requiring shorter runs and high product variability. The company’s resource-sharing ethos ensures that available capacity is efficiently utilized across their mini-factories. This adaptive approach keeps them agile in responding to client needs.
One might assume that offloading parts would be a recipe for chaos, operators recognize the paramount importance of a seamless offload process. The ability to swiftly and effectively remove, stack, and transfer parts downstream serves as a litmus test for operational efficiency. Each machine is equipped with a swing-arm loader featuring extended reach, facilitating rapid part removal and sorting.
A veteran operator identifies two narrow parts, destined to become left- and right-hand pieces forming narrow channels. Despite being nested closely, they are mirrored to create opposite edge-geometry attributes. A rookie operator, concerned about material yield, questions this arrangement, noting the seemingly wider web section it produces. In response, the seasoned veteran explains the intricacies: the release of residual stress after laser cutting and the impact of forming tolerances on the press brake. The long, narrow blank exhibits a subtle bow due to stress release during laser cutting, a phenomenon known and understood by the experienced team.
Click here to learn more about American Metal Fab’s expertise in precision metal cutting.
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