PCL 600
Operators Manual
v 2.0
16
3.2 Machine
components
Cutting cell
The cutting cell is the heart of the PCL machine. A 6-axes,
Staubli TX60 robot arm mounted inside the cutting cell holds
a plasma torch and shock sensor. The rollers in the cutting
cell measure and position the material. Fume extraction
occurs through the bottom of the cell. A small vent in the top
allows a downward current of air, removing harmful fumes
and giving the operator a clear view through the shielded
windows in the cell doors. Parts smaller than 300 mm drop
into the scrap trolley in the bottom of
the cutting cell Should the torch
accidentally hit the material the shock
sensor activates an emergency stop,
preventing damage to torch and robot
arm.
Infeed and outfeed buffer chains
The infeed buffer chains allow multiple raw bars to be loaded
in preparation for cutting. The bars are transported on the
chains towards the infeed conveyor. Sensor detect the
material and the chains are raised lifting the material and
lowered again, placing the material on the sideways loading
chains. In the same way the outfeed buffer chains can be
raised, lifting finished parts from the outfeed conveyor and
moving them onto the buffer chains ready to be unloaded.
Sideways loading chains and infeed conveyor
Depending on the logistic system, the material may be
prepared before cutting with shot blasting or edge cleaning
for example. When the material is ready to be cut it is moved
towards the non-driven infeed roller conveyor. A sideways
chain loading system transfers the material from the infeed
system to the non-driven infeed roller conveyor. Single cams
on the sideways loading system push the raw bar onto the
infeed roller conveyor and up against the vertical rollers.
Gripper
All PCL machines are equipped with a material gripper
mounted on a rail running parallel to the cutting cell infeed
roller conveyor. When raw material is loaded onto the
conveyor, the gripper moves forward and detects the
material. The gripper tip grabs the material and moves it
towards the cutting cell. A sensor on the conveyor detects
the other end of the material, the machine now knows the
length of the material. The gripper can tilt at an angle
allowing it to grab a variety of different profiles.
