Tailored blanks of sheets

Joining metal materials of different thickness, strength or coating type produce a ”tailored blank” ready for stamping. Tailored blanks are of prime importance when reducing weight and raw material costs but also a key structural component when optimizing crash/strength in automotive body design. Lasers are ideal for this application as they both cut and weld. The surface is slippery with oil so high friction cups for oily surfaces are recommended. Vacuum is used in several stages of the process, mostly for feeding/loading and unloading.

Advantages with Piab

• Increased productivity and safety thanks to special designed friction cups for oily surfaces which also reduces the risk for sliding sheets.
• The productivity is also increased thanks to vacuum pumps using the COAX® technology and optimizers to minimize the energy consumption.
• Great grip will also be achieved thanks to a secure and fast grip thanks to high initial vacuum flow of Piab vacuum pumps.
• Increased safety with special vacuum check valve.
• Flexible tooling components for easy positioning of the suction cups.
• Higher degree of process control, sensing vacuum at each suction cup.
• Easy trouble-shooting.