PRODUCT REVIEWS
Rapid calculation of sheet metal parts
TRUMPF subsidiary , Optimate , has expanded its latest feature for cost calculation . A new export function will enable contract manufacturers and design departments in sheet metal processing to calculate parts even faster and precisely with the help of detailed data . After introducing the ‘ cost calculation ’ feature in July 2023 , the Stuttgart-based spin-off of high-tech company TRUMPF is developing it further .
“ Our export function offers precise geometry analysis for sheet metal parts , which enables customisation to individual customer processes ,” said Optimate CEO , Jonas Steiling . “ Parts can now be calculated even faster and , above all , more individually thanks to the automated data export .”
Previously , sheet metal processors were forced to laboriously extract all data from part drawings manually . The export function now enables the part data to be output at the touch of a button and is designed for optimised cost calculation processes thanks to the data transparency . In addition to the sheet thickness , scrap and outer contour length , the geometry analysis parameters can contain any other geometric information about a sheet metal part .
“ To ensure optimal cost calculation , the
Above : With the newly developed export function , App users receive data on their parts at the touch of a button .
Below : Optimate CEO , Jonas Steiling .
customer maintains individual parameters such as material costs , machine hourly rates or feed rates in their analysis profile in advance ,” outlined Jonas Steiling .
The Optimate cost calculation determines the price per part for different batch sizes . It takes into account various factors such as material and cutting costs as well as preparation and processing costs for cutting , bending and welding . The new development also gives users the option of linking their individual calculation formulas with the part data exported by Optimate . This gives rise to new fields of application ranging from detailed cost calculation to digitised variant management and production forecasting .
Updates in the cloud solution provide further indications on possible cost drivers within a part and deliver starting points for design optimisation directly during product development .
“ With the extended export function , we also guarantee more efficient communication , both across departments and with the relevant manufacturing partners ,” summarised Jonas Steiling .
The new function was demonstrated for the first time at TRUMPF ’ s in-house trade fair INTECH ( 9-12 April 2024 in Ditzingen , Germany ). n
www . optimate . de
Automated warehouse for long goods
When large quantities of bars , tubes and profiles ( with lengths of six metres or more ) need to be stored in a space-saving manner and retrieved quickly , Remmert offers storage and handling solutions . At Logimat 2024 in Stuttgart , Remmert presented its optimised honeycomb storage technology and order picking solutions .
Remmert honeycomb warehouses are specially designed for long goods ( such as bars , pipes or aluminium / plastic profiles ). The bulky material is stored in cassettes , which are stored in honeycomb rack structures such as drawers of storage and retrieval machines . “ Cassette storage systems are particularly beneficial for long goods , as bulky material can be stored compactly and handled much more efficiently without risk of damage . Cassettes and racks are specially tailored to the material dimensions . This increases the storage density to a maximum and makes optimum use of the floor space . Energy-efficient storage and retrieval machines can be used for up to 40 storage and retrieval operations per hour ,” explained Remmert .
The storage and retrieval machines are
designed so that they can pick up two cassettes alternately . This avoids empty runs and speeds up the movement of goods . Up to 40 storage and retrieval operations per hour are possible . The storage and retrieval machines can move material weighing up to 1.5 tons per cassette to a height of up to 25m .
When two stacker cranes are used in one aisle e . g . with very long racks or redundant operation , dynamic speed control ensures interaction between the two stacker cranes and rapid cycle times . Energy recovery of the drive units of the lifting traverse contributes to very low energy consumption , as does the path-optimised control system .
In addition to manual picking , Remmert integrates supporting systems such as special manipulators and transport trolleys with which orders can either be transported to the next processing stage or buffered directly back into the honeycomb warehouse . The integration of fully automatic pick & place robots or automatic saws is also possible . n
Remmert ’ s honeycomb warehouse , up to 25m high , can store a wide range of long goods . When the lifting beam is lowered , recuperation of the drives ensures that the electrical energy is recovered which contributes to low energy consumption . www . remmert . de
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