The cutting process is monitored in real time from above with a view through the cutting nozzle. The sensor system monitors the cutting gap, determines the optimum feed rate and adjusts it as required - several hundred times per second. This minimizes cutting interruptions due to material differences such as variations in sheet thickness, rust or paint contamination. In the event of an impending cutting flaw, Active Speed Control ensures that the machine stops. In conjunction with Smart Rerun, a restart can take place automatically or you can switch to the next part. Active Speed Control also reduces burr and slag formation. The minimized reject rate leads to lower parts costs.
Autonomous laser cutting
The machine of the future cuts autonomously – we're sure of that. We also know who will benefit the most from it: you. This is because our future technology is aware. It looks ahead. Works almost on its own. With the person in control at all times. This is only possibly through the interplay between intelligent assistance systems, adaptive machine functions, and last but not least, ground-breaking ideas. Discover TRUMPF's vision for autonomous machines now, as well as our innovations which are already available now, and their potential for your sheet metal processing. Join us in the autonomous future.
Much more than a vision: autonomous machines at TRUMPF
We have laid the cornerstone for autonomous machines through numerous assistance systems. Progress is far from complete, and we are certain that the future belongs to autonomously working machines. They monitor and regulate the machining process, enabling a smooth production process. The operator is unburdened, and their role changes to that of a process manager. This collaboration between human and machine achieves optimal results.
5 stages to autonomous machines
Operator involvement is at a maximum. All tasks are completed by the operator.
The machine supports the operator with selected tasks. The operator is primarily located around the machine.
The matchine regulates the cut mostly on its own. Generally the operator has only to be by the machine at predictable points in time.
The machine prevents interruptions by self-optimization. The operator is informed about necessary interventions in advance.
The machine reacts independantly to all interruptions in the production process. Operator involvement is kept to a minimum, the focus is on machine maintenance.
Our vision is clearly defined. We have our sights set on developing machines which operate autonomously. With the Active Speed Control system for adaptive feed control and the TruLaser Center 7030 full-service laser machine, we have crossed the threshold to the third stage on the scale. The fifth stage is a fully autonomous machine. When it comes to classification, the following parameters are especially taken into account for location determination: proportion of manual monitoring and operator involvement at the machine. The focus lies on a machine's ability to recognize, prevent, and resolve malfunctions independently – without human intervention. Our vision is for the operator to have a central role involving having control and managing the process.
Curious about the future of laser processing?
What does autonomous laser cutting mean for your parts production? What benefits are there to you? Our 2D laser cutting experts would be happy to answer these as well as other questions.
Large strides forward: intelligent sensor systems increase productivity
Part of our vision of fully autonomous laser cutting is already a reality. Intelligent assistance systems for laser cutting develop execution strategies, for example, which prevent collision with tilting parts, or make post-producing of parts out of remainder sheet easier. Even nozzles are automatically inspected and replaced if necessary. The proportion of machine functions which control processes independently is ever-increasing.
An important milestone on the path to autonomous machines is the Active Speed Control system for adaptive feed control. The system monitors the kerf through the nozzle, oversees the cutting process, and independently regulates feed speed. It ensures the right feed level for flame and fusion cutting, even in the event of thickness variations in a sheet, or if the sheet has been affected by quality fluctuations (i.e. rust or coating remnants). Data analysis makes quick and stable cutting possible. This can prevent disruptions to cutting, and noticeably reduces the number of reject parts. The operator is also relieved. They can pull up the most important process parameters or a live-image through the nozzle any time, and will be actively informed if the need for intervention arises. Tapeshots which were necessary up to this point are now a thing of the past.
Active Speed Control oversees the process, controls cutting
Comparison between laser cutting with and without feed control
Take a look behind the scenes
TRUMPF is a pioneer in the laser cutting industry. To ensure we remain so in the future, we research tirelessly, always on the boundary of technological possibilities. We have a clear vision on the path to autonomous machines: to make the work of operators easier, through simple and sophisticated operating concepts. Our solutions give them the ability to respond to potential malfunctions with ease. The focus is on cost-effectiveness, as compared to non-assisted processing, the part costs for autonomous processes are significantly lower.
Ready for the future – be prepared for anything with intelligent functions from TRUMPF
Assistance systems make life easier; they shorten and simplify many processes in laser cutting, as well as make them noticeably more reliable. This allows you to put your machines to optimal use, and minimize manual interventions. In addition to the newly developed Active Speed Control, TRUMPF also offers solutions for every process step in the form of intelligent functions. A compact selection of functions for autonomous laser cutting can be found here.
Leading the way – TruLaser Center 7030
Curious about the future of laser processing?
What does autonomous laser cutting mean for your parts production? What benefits are there to you? Our 2D laser cutting experts would be happy to answer these as well as other questions.
What do autonomous machines mean for your production?
The age of intelligent production is already underway. TRUMPF machines are increasingly independent in their operation; they analyze and regulate processes. With your help, malfunctions can be prevented, and productivity can be increased. Employees can already be supported and relieved during many operations even today. Laser cutting will also become easier and less stressful in the future. Interested in learning the advantages that integrating autonomous and partially autonomous technologies can bring to your 2D laser processing? Click on the green dots in the image to find out more.
1. Fewer reject parts
Nip rejects in the bud: the sensor system can detect low quality materials or contaminations, thereby preventing cutting flaws before they occur.
2. Intuitive machines
Many malfunctions are detected or prevented through intelligent assistance systems. The Touchpoint HMI user interface allows machines to be operated more intuitively. Additional autonomous laser cutting functions can also be simply installed via software updates in the future
3. Transparent processes
This is how free of stress work can be: information or error messages are sent quickly and simply on the go, to a tablet or smartphone. The operator is informed whether manual intervention is required.
4. Relieved operators
While the cutting process is running smoothly, the operator has time for other tasks, for example material logistics or work preparations. This enables maximum productivity and machine utilization.
5. Error-free night shifts
Partially autonomous functions and automation components allow for stable production with minimal monitoring – even during night shifts with fewer personnel.
6. Maintenance and setup can be planned
In the future, it will be possible for autonomous laser cutting machines to recommend and control maintenance, as well as diagnose setup requirements on their own. Our services are already allowing for easy ordering and quick availability of consumables.
7. Speeds far beyond default values
Active Speed Control renders the need to take buffers into account redundant. The sensor system allows the machine to work as quickly as possible, and with as much process reliability as necessary, respectively. Often speeds are achieved which are significantly higher than the default values contained in the cutting data.
8. Automatic post-production
In the future, highly autonomous and fully autonomous laser cutting machines will automatically determine restart strategies after remedying a malfunction. This enables automatic post-production.
9. Less reworking
Active Speed Control determines the optimal feed rate and adjusts this if required, even if sheet thickness varies. In many cases this reduces the amount of burr and dross build-up.
Something to consider
Even now we can look back on numerous milestones on the path to autonomous machines. This includes machine functions and assistance systems such as Smart Collision Prevention for collision avoidance, Smart Nozzle Automation, the automatic nozzle changer, as well as Smart Beam Control for intelligent laser beam monitoring. Development is nowhere near finished however, as demonstrated by ground-breaking developments such as the TruLaser Center 7030 full-service laser machine, or the Active Speed Control system for adaptive feed control. It will take a few years to reach full autonomy. Networked production environments and artificial intelligence (AI) will play an important part here.
Every company with a goal of keeping a sharp competitive edge in the age of digitalization achieves positive results through the automation of processes and the implementation of autonomously operating machines. Intelligent automation solutions for example, create the basis for cost-effective production and offer many advantages in terms of efficiency and transparency. But what good is the fastest machine if, for example, parts tilt? Intelligent assistance systems are the solution for many future challenges. Idle times can quickly take up half the working time of 2D laser cutting machines; this is how long it takes to equip, sort, or rectify malfunctions. Autonomously producing laser machines are able to prevent and rectify malfunctions on their own.
An increase in autonomy leads to a decrease in part costs. This is because fewer cases of malfunctions occur during production in general, and if they do occur, they are immediately detected and remedied by the machine – with operator support if required. This has a positive effect on output. Additionally, a significant decrease in rejects is produced. Active Speed Control proactively prevents cutting interruptions caused by fluctuating material quality, for example. This, for example, will prevent the undetected production of reject parts.
Production without malfunctions and rejects is desirable, but not quite realistic; the goal is to decrease the number of items that go to the scrap container. There will, however, always be materials and qualities which are only suitable for precise laser cutting under certain conditions. Whether produced parts require reworking is always dependent on the application. Burr and dross formation cannot be entirely eliminated. We are, however, working towards the goal of using the file as rarely as possible.
Active Speed Control is the latest TRUMPF development on the path to autonomous machines, and provides the entry to partially autonomous laser cutting. It makes parts production more robust, transparent, independent, and most of all, more productive. This is enabled through constant monitoring of the cutting process. With a live-view through the nozzle, the sensor system monitors the light that is emitted during material welding. Based on this so-called process light, it determines whether the welding is going according to plan, identifies the fastest possible feed, and adjusts this if required – hundreds of times per second. This creates fewer rejects, more process reliability, and less operator involvement with the machine.
Absolutely not. Operator involvement with the machine is decreasing, but for good reason – they will no longer need to shoulder the burden of having to manually monitor the cutting process. This means that they are relieved. The necessity of manual intervention in critical situations is drastically reduced. Instead, the operator receives information (for example with the Active Speed Control system for adaptive feed control) on their mobile device, and can react accordingly. What's particularly advantageous is that the operator is now able to focus on other tasks, such as programming, or preparing for setup or maintenance. They always have absolute control, supported by the laser machine and its assistance systems.
Curious about the future of laser processing?
What does autonomous laser cutting mean for your parts production? What benefits are there to you? Our 2D laser cutting experts would be happy to answer these as well as other questions.