JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #47 - March/April 2009 - 53

Cutting & laser tool More information These are some of the many features that continue to add benefits and productivity to laser templating systems. All these add to shorter cycle times and further labour- and cost-saving automation, resulting in higher productivity, output and quality. Gerber Scientific, Inc. is a leading international supplier of sophisticated automated manufacturing systems for sign making, specialty graphics and packaging, apparel and flexible materials, and ophthalmic lens processing. Headquartered in South Windsor, Connecticut, the company operates through four businesses: Gerber Scientific Products and Spandex Ltd, Gerber Technology, and Gerber Coburn. The cutting table is also a proven technology in prepreg fabrication. The productivity and quality benefits of computercontrolled cutting has been recognized for years. Further steps to increase benefits to the customer include using projectors to “point” to parts on the cutting table. This will aid the hand kitting process, and is just one of the many ways technologies may be integrated to assist in further improving efficiency in the factory. Production levelling on the cutting table and the ply lay-up process (where projectors are used) will also help to minimize the use of freezer space, and cut parts inventory in storage (WIP). Further steps to integrate the technologies will take the automation and efficiency increases a step further. Many further benefits will be achieved in the coming years to increase productivity and quality, and Gerber Technology and Virtek plan to lead the way. More information: www.gerbertechnology.com www.virtek.ca Selecting the right system for your task In the quest for savings and increased productivity through the use of laser projection, it should be noted that not all jobs will require the same sort of system set-up. There are many software packages, projector configurations and capabilities. In order to achieve maximum efficiency and savings, a system must be planned prior to being purchased and implemented. The main parameters to take into consideration when deciding what is required include: - accuracy requirements (some jobs can be achieved successfully with a system that has a low accuracy level, while others will require a very accurate system); - the overall volume of the workspace to be covered (variations in the complexity of geometry may allow very simple systems, or require more complex ones); - workflow (whether the workspace is a dedicated one or a multi-jobs one, raising the question of whether to acquire fixed or portable systems); - the type of data the part manufacturer will receive or require (obtaining the appropriate controlling software package from among the many different ones available to manufacturers can be a key cost or process simplifier). Safety issues with lasers The word laser conjures images of high-power systems cutting and welding steel. However, the laser projector is a low-power device, designed to take into account everyday use by people looking at the projected line. Laser templating systems operate under the 5-milliwatt range. With the laser point moving quickly to draw a line, very little energy is actually exposed in any one area. Stringent standards are set and must be adhered to for each laser projector. Safety precautions from the system supplier should be rigidly adhered to. Conclusion The benefits of cutting, kitting, nesting, and laser projection have all been well demonstrated and are now used by most aerospace companies and their suppliers who are performing prepreg lay-up. As laser projection systems offer more features and functionality for lower costs, and labour rates and skill shortages persist, the decision to move to laser templating is well proven. Accumulated knowledge from experienced workers is captured in a computer controller and gets built in to every ply lay-up program. Purchasing a system can often cost less than manufacturing and dealing with manual templates. The increase in productivity and part quality has been clearly demonstrated to make the decision an easy one. No47 March-April 2009 / jec composites magazine 53

http://www.gerbertechnology.com http://www.virtek.ca http://www.gelcoatplus.de/ http://www.gelcoatplus.de/

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #47 - March/April 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #47 - March/April 2009