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Schuler delivers laser blanking lines to Daimler

Göppingen, Germany-based Schuler has delivered two laser blanking lines to the Daimler plant in Kuppenheim, Germany. Both lines, used for the serial production of compact vehicles, can be changed instantly to another cutting style at the touch of a button. Contours are programmed offline and can be simulated for production optimization. By eliminating the dependence on heavy dies, the pressing plant is prepared for different types of car models in upcoming years.

Space requirements in the plant’s coil hall were not suitable for conventional blanking lines. Laser systems do not need foundations or a basement, which factored heavily in Daimler’s decision to acquire this Dynamic Flow Technology (DFT).

Three laser heads work in tandem to cut contours in the system at more than 328 FPM from a continuously fed steel or aluminum sheet directly from the coil. This yields surface-sensitive precut parts for mudguards, side parts, roofs, and engine hoods. The conveyor moves through the system at up to 197 FPM. The cut blanks are separated from scrap and stacked continuously. Two Schuler press lines form the precut blanks into chassis parts, which then are assembled in the adjacent Mercedes-Benz Rastatt plant.