pesmedia.com Production Engineering Solutions July 2024 21 SAWING TECHNOLOGY objects is challenging because their position and arrangement are hard to predict. Kasto offers a smart solution for efficient separation: KASTOpick bar optimises the removal of magnetic bright and black steel in both new and existing warehouse systems. It allows users to remove and manipulate different bars from storage cassettes without the need for human intervention 24/7. The system recognises and grips not only flat, square and round bars but also round and profile tubes. Essentially, KASTOpick bar accomplishes two tasks – it picks the bar stock and prepares bundles for shipping or supplies individual bars for further processing on the saw – with no intervention required from the user. To start the process, KASTOpick bar moves a 3D sensor measuring probe over the storage cassette, which can be up to 6m in length. An algorithm developed by Kasto is used to process the 3D point cloud generated by this scan. The software analyses the data to identify the bar locations and potential gripping points for the robots and only those points are considered that allow the machines to deposit the bar without causing a collision. This intelligent calculation of the travel path prevents the robots from colliding and the bar from striking an obstacle in its path. To perform this procedure, the software predicts the proposed movement and optimises the route to the target position. The process starts anew with the next scan. The gripper system separates and moves a variety of different formats making the user more flexible in handling and processing steel. The flat, round and profile materials can also be wrapped or labelled. KASTOpick bar communicates with ERP systems and upstream and downstream machines to provide the right workpiece at the right time and location. It connects storage systems, saws or strapping units with the software ensuring the bars are stacked in an ideal pattern based on dimensions and order volume, using individual bar manipulation. KASTOpick bar can position rectangular material so that it can be ideally formed into a bundle. In its standard version, the system can grip a bar weight of up to 500kg but higher loads are possible on request. A wide range of automatically selected grippers are available to safely separate and transport the material. Unitower cnc: feeding CNC machines automatically and efficiently Supplying workpiece carriers for CNC machining centres requires a significant amount of space. Operator-free shifts at night can only operate when there are enough prepared pallets available. Kasto has solved both of these issues with its new Unitower cnc. Users can now supply their CNC production fully automatically and with minimal space requirements. The new modular Unitower cnc supplies CNC machining centres with fully loaded pallets continuously, allowing employees to prepare fixtures and workpieces simultaneously at separate workstations. Operators can load the storage tower during machine operation which eliminates costly downtime. The entire system, including the machine tools, can operate unmanned for extended periods for continuous operation. Companies can connect several metalcutting machines, regardless of the manufacturer, to one tower storage system. The Unitower cnc can be connected fully automatically to several setup and transfer stations through traversing units and roller conveyors. The overhead gantry crane (OGC) transfers the machine pallet which is loaded with fixtures and workpieces to a transfer trolley which transports it to locations assigned by the control system. Partially and fully machined workpieces are returned to intermediate or final storage in the same manner. The system is based on Kasto’s Unitower tower storage system which can extend to heights of up to 20m in a minimal footprint. The Unitower cnc can house shelves with machine pallets measuring up to 3,000mm long and 1,500mm wide and depending on the load size, it can store one or two machine pallets. Thanks to the practical zero-point clamping system, users can select the loading height up to a maximum of 1,700mm, maximising the available space. Another benefit is that the zeroclamping system’s impressive costperformance ratio makes it particularly appealing when compared to machine tables. With a load capacity of five tonnes per storage compartment, even heavy workpieces can be stored. Pallets are handled by an OGC with a crossbeam. In comparison to paternoster arrangements, this system offers the advantage that only the respective cassette needs to be moved rather than the entire stock. Unitower cnc is managed by KASTOlogic, Kasto’s software for warehouse management and production control. Flagship application: Kasto and SEW-Eurodrive A recent flagship application success story for Kasto is with global drive technology/drive automation specialist SEW-Eurodrive, demonstrating how maximum efficiency can be achieved through automation. The relationship between the two companies spans an incredible 50 years. The two companies have developed a complete solution that seamlessly integrates metal saws and storage technology to supply SEW-Eurodrive’s production with semi-finished products fully automatically from a centralised location – irrespective of the batch size. SEW-Eurodrive is a global leader in the drive technology/drive automation sector. It’s a massive company with an impressive global reach employing 22,000 employees worldwide, with Armin Stolzer has been managing director at Kasto for more than 30 years Kasto and drive technology specialist SEW-Eurodrive have been working together for 50 years Unitower cnc
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