No longer the exclusive domain of automotive manufacturers, sophisticated press automation systems are becoming an emerging competitive advantage for manufacturers who stamp moderate to high volumes of metal as part of their production processes.

Such is the backdro for the ABB Robotics’ Press Automation Systems unit recently reached a milestone: there are now 200 press systems enhanced with transfer automation in North America since the presence of the unit in the continent in 1996. The pressing or stamping of metal blanks or coil fed sheets to form component parts is one of the most capital intensive processes in the manufacturing of large, metal based consumer and commercial products. This is either a single stage operation wher every single press stroke produces the desired form, or, as is more often the case in more complex operations, it is a multi-press process. The transfer of the parts from the unfinished stack to the first press, between multiple presses, and ultimately to the completed part rack is the most time consuming part of the process.

ABB Press Automation enhances the entire process by optimally automating and pacing the transfer of parts to and from each step of press cycle, achieving the most efficient flow for entire operation. ABB systems are installed on both new and existing stamping operations, and typically involve one or more six or seven axis press tending robots. Systems often include robotic or hard automation destacking systems to initially serve the blank metal sheets or coils on the front end, interpress transfer, and racking systems for finished goods on the back end. Features include safety, such as the Electronic Position Switch (EPS) and SafeMove, and the company’s Dynamic Drive Chain, while benefits include flexibility, energy efficiency ranging from 10 to 20 per cent.

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