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timization features that can operate in fully automated or semi- automated mode to reduce waste when cutting pre-formed sheets of material, says Robert Marshall, VP of market development. Te sofware's material library can be used for stock control, ensuring that there is sufcient material available for scheduled jobs. Panel- Builder includes barcode labeling for identifying parts in large kits, and, says Marshall, the barcode feature also can be used to start the correct cutting program, automatically. Axel Hofmann, the executive VP responsible for U.S. sales of Gunnar International (Rebstein, Switzerland) cutting systems, says that his customers can choose an entry-level, manual nesting ap- plication or an automated nesting sofware suite with a wide range of additional CAM features. "Te core nesting program is devel- oped externally by a well-known German research institute, but the front-end user interface is provided by our Gunnar workbench sofware partner," adds Hofmann. Zünd (Franklin, Wis., and Alstatten, Switzerland) ofers an in- teractive and multifunctional user interface, the Zünd Cut Center (ZCC), says Beatrice Drury, Zünd America's director of marketing and communications. ZCC's material database can track the fabri- cator's stock, and its "cut queue" feature precalculates the processing time for each material and saves data on actual time expended. "ZCC recommends the best tool for the job, based on the installed cut- ter confguration," adds Drury. "Depending on material and job specifcations, the operator can select a higher speed for greater throughput or slower speed for better edge quality or tighter tol- erances. Either way, the system helps take the guesswork out of cutting and dramatically reduces the po- tential for errors." For nesting, Zünd ofers several solutions, including AutoNest sofware (developed by Zünd UK in St. Albans, U.K.), which imports drawings from any CAD package and, says Drury, quickly designs a tightly nested layout. A virtual machine simulator allows operators to preview how the nest will appear on the cutting bed. "Te sofware is also compatible with other nesting programs, and is designed with 'open' architecture so a customer can integrate with other systems, such as a laser projector for kitting." American GFM (AGFM, Chesapeake, Va., part of GFM GmbH, Steyr, Austria), which manufactures several types of composites-re- lated machine tools including ultrasonic ply cutters, has developed its NS2 Nesting system, which optimizes the cutting process in several ways, says Frank Elliott, the company's advanced initiatives coordinator. "NS2 optimizes cutting feed rate, based on our ply cut- ter's very high-speed feed system. It also is based on the optimum 'part shape smoothing routines' that are unique to us." He adds that AGFM provides CNC-controlled, integrated inkjet marking or la- beling, which he asserts is much faster than pen marking. HARDWARE CHANGES HASTENING PRODUC- TION EFFICIENCY Eastman, says McGruder, also sees increased demand for conveyorized table systems. "We believe it's driven by the need to synchronize multiple continuous production machines," she says. "Te cutting table has to keep up with an automotive manufacturing cell, for example." She reports that longer conveyorized tables are being requested more frequently by customers, as well. Rather than a standard 16- to 20-f (5 to 6.2m) length, Eastman is now manufacturing tables that are 36 f/11m long and longer. McGruder explains that longer tables keep prepreg materials for lengthy parts from folding or rolling, Automated feeding of material onto the cutting table can improve production effciency. Devices such as this double power cradle from Eastman Machine Co. (Buffalo, N.Y.) can eliminate manual feeding and offoading, improving cutting speed and worker ergonomics. "Pendulum processing," developed by AXYZ Automation (Albrighton, Wolverhampton, U.K.), enables continuous processing on a static table, by automated switching of vacuum zones. While cutting occurs on one half of the table under vacuum, unloading of cut parts and loading of fresh material can be dome on the other half. Source | Eastman Machine Source | AXYZ Automation 3 4 C O M P O S I T E S W O R L D . C O M FEATURE: Cutting & Kitting Update 0614CT CuttKitt-OK.indd 34 5/20/2014 8:49:01 AM