CNC Off-Load Devices

Thoughts on accessories for pushing cut parts off the CNC table. December 24, 2009

Question
Does anyone have experience with drop down bars under the gantry of CNCs that push your finished panel parts onto an offload table? I'm wondering how well this works when you are nesting smaller cabinet parts, and if the nested parts keep their relative position when they go on the offload table. I have watched videos of this but they always seem to cut some square shapes which are large enough to keep the relative precut panel's shape, but what about smaller parts that can move around much easier?

Forum Responses
(CNC Forum)
From contributor L:
We run a Busellato with pusher arm. The unload function works great with parts as small as 3" x 3" with no problem, but occasionally things will bunch with angle parts. These devices help to set the pace of production rather than relying on an individual operator's speed. Even in a lower workload environment, it allows you to move on more quickly to the next phase of production. Be sure to look at the method to load sheet goods. We use a vacuum lift. A great system for dust collection is very important as well. You can pay more for a great system up front or pay every day as you clean up the chips you blew off the table to load the next sheet.



From contributor J:
Consider doing the low-tech sandwich: keep a stationary 1/2" spoilboard on the table, load a 1/4" spoilboard on, followed by your sheet stock. After it's cut, grab the 1/4" sheet and pull it onto a shop-built roller table. Then push on your second 1/4" spoilboard plus the next sheet you prepped while the CNC was cutting the first one.


From contributor D:
Are you looking to use an automated conveyor as your offload platform? Using the vacuum/rake bar to push the nest off the machine, the Omnitech has a dust catcher and vacuum hopper at the edge of the router table with a conveyor belt to move parts to the offload position. All the parts stay in their relative positions until unloaded at the end of the conveyor with the help of a light sensor that stops the belt when the beam is broken. This allows the operator to remove parts, then the belt automatically advances to the next part in the nest.

We have a customer that uses a sheet of melamine on a tilting table cart. He has a couple of spring boards to funnel the parts onto the deck and after removing the parts and outfall, tips up the table to dump the debris before offloading the next sheet.