SANDER has many years of experience in press automation with transfer devices. This know-how is now increasingly being incorporated into solutions for loading and unloading presses - or as it is often called: "Front-of-Line" and "End-of-Line".
Depending on the requirements, we can tackle this with feeder technology or with classic industrial robots - whatever makes the most sense for the customer's situation. We are currently pushing ahead with both topics.

When does the trend move towards feeders?
Feeders are generally used when a classic articulated arm or industrial robot is either too slow or its centric working space is not compatible with the system layout.
Why are feeder solutions so flexibly customizable?
Each axis can be scaled and arranged separately, just as the layout or process requires. The feeder layout is designed according to the task at hand. A parking position in an overhead position that can be securely locked is often implemented so that nothing stands in the way at floor level, e.g. when manual loading or free access to the tool is required.
Why are feeder solutions so robust?
Most movements are linear. In addition to the axis length, the size of each axis can also be selected, making them as light and dynamic as possible, but as robust as necessary. The assemblies are standardized. The modular system is based on what has proven itself to customers over years of 3-shift operation. The rack and pinion combinations used with automatic lubrication and the servomotors from Siemens or Bosch-Rexroth are the first choice in terms of service life.
Why are feeders easy to integrate?
The control of feeders is based on classic PLC and NC servo technology, which is also well mastered by the vast majority of operators on site. Every axis and every movement can be edited and optimized in a targeted and transparent manner.
Where are feeders used?
Feeders have become very well established in forming technology and press shops over the years. The functions range from loading, unloading and interlinking and beyond. Feeders are often attached to the presses - but they are also frequently suspended from free-standing consoles. It is not uncommon for cross axles or gantries to be 5m, 10m or longer. The use of feeders is by no means limited to press applications! We look forward to discussing your task with you!
Are feeders suitable for my product?
Your components are gripped and held by tooling. We will be happy to show you how a suitable tooling can look for your part or your parts family. Depending on the range of parts, single-purpose or universal tooling can be designed. Depending on the material, vacuum, magnetic or active grippers are used. Depending on the batch sizes, retooling can also be automated.

Blank loader

Blank loaders, for example, are used to load presses automatically and highly efficiently with blanks.

Blanks or blanks are fed on pallets or load carriers, then separated and inserted into the press in a highly dynamic process.

Sophisticated concepts enable uninterrupted production even while a new stack is being inserted. Meanwhile, safety concepts with an interlock function ensure the safety of your employees.

Edge processes such as separating, oiling, aligning or checking for double sheets are integrated as required. Depending on the range and variety of your blanks, a blank loader can also be designed for automatic retooling. Especially with ever smaller batch sizes, this can be a strong factor in boosting your output.

Stacking feeder (metal sheets)

Due to ever increasing stroke rates during forming, the outfeed and destacking quickly becomes a bottleneck. Depending on the size and weight of the parts, destacking quickly becomes an ergonomically unacceptable task. Your valuable employees can be deployed more profitably elsewhere - an issue that everyone is currently aware of! This is why automatic destacking is currently very much in the focus of operators.

Stacking feeder (segment sheets)

Rotor/stator, segmented laminations, eMobility, energy, electrical laminations, etc. ... Highly topical terms, but what is behind them?
Anyone who automates here must be able to handle individual layers and packages and stack them in precise positions. As is so often the case, in addition to clean mechanical engineering, it is also important to understand the customer's processes 100%, to see what is important so that maximum output and stable processes result in the end.
SANDER Automation has the necessary know-how to complete your punching processes in such a way that highly efficient overall systems are created.
We look forward to hearing about your plans and look forward to receiving your inquiry!

Destacking blanks

Cutting and forming steps are often carried out separately. In this case, the cut blanks are first stacked after cutting.

In a similar process, but in the opposite direction, the previously stacked blanks or circular blanks are then fed back into the press and formed. Depending on the shape and stacking pattern of the formed parts, they are then destacked manually, by feeder or by robot, for example on pallets or in mesh boxes.

Destacking or destacking - SANDER Automation has the solutions and the know-how to help you move forward in these processes so that you can increase output and/or reduce personnel deployment.