Soft Piling

In the past, quality blanks could only be obtained at the sacrifice of high production rates. With Automatic Feed Company’s “soft piling” stacking system technology high production rates and quality are synonymous.

Today, automotive production demands defect-free, precision stacked blanks along with the ability to maximize full blanking line production capabilities.

Soft Piling™ is where the overhead conveyors, magnets back-stop, side guides and control design are integrated into a single, precision, functioning unit. The magnets are electrically switchable, permanent magnets, which allow for switching speeds over 120-times per minute. The belt conveyor is designed to keep the belt properly tensioned, insuring consistent air gap between the belt and magnets arrays. The back-stop and side guides are adjustable and ruggedly built to offer years of precise, trouble-free service.

Stacks are straight and located to within +/- 1mm of total stack height. The stacker’s automated tracking feature controls the blank from the point of cut-off to its final stacking position. Prior to reaching the stacking position the blank’s speed is reduced, and the calculated blank drop trajectory is precisely controlled. This allows the blank momentum to be reduced, while striking the back stop at precisely the same point without damage to either the blank or back-stop. The four technologies of magnet switching, belt design, automated tracking control and back-stop design for the basis of “Soft Piling”, which sets Automatic Feed Company apart from the competition in the high-speed blank stacking and handling machine tool building category.