Laser Slat Contamination 5

[precisiontech]

I was hoping you guys could help me with an issue we are having right now. We have certain customers that require stainless steel parts and can have no cross contamination with other material types.

Our current method consists of having 'spare' stainless steel laser slats. When we get an order from that customer our laser operator must switch all the carbon rails to the stainless, and vice verse when finished. This is very time consuming, as well as expensive.

Just wanted to reach out and see if anyone else has this issue or solution/idea.

 

[krugtech]

how large is the order? how many different parts? do the orders repeat? there's a few ways around this

Chris Krug

http://krugtech.com/

Maximum Up-time, Minimum BS

 

[HenryRollins]

Have you tried coating the grates and baco side of the material with anti-spatter?
-HR

 

[precisiontech]

When we receive the orders they can range from a few hundred pieces to a few thousands. It could last 1 8 hour shift or 1+ weeks. This it one of the things that is very frustrating. No rhyme or reason to the orders, its whatever the customers needs to fill their orders. They do not sit on inventory, everything is made to order. The part is the same but comes in 4 different sizes.

 

[precisiontech]

Yes we do coat the slats with an anti spatter for all other product, however we do not with this specific product due to customer requirements.

 

[krugtech]

sounds like a real pain in the A.... Have you ever seen the eggcrate style grills used in suspended ceiling lighting fixtures? I have customers who use those to get material up off their grills. they don't last real long but they're cheap and easy to install, just throw them on the table. I don't know if they come in stainless it may not even be necessary as they pretty much disappear under the cut. I've also seen aluminum honey comb used. I had one customer who made a quantity of rings about 8 inches in dia w his banding machine and laid the rings all over the table and put the material on top of those.

Chris Krug

http://krugtech.com/

Maximum Up-time, Minimum BS

 

[RPosty]

we use those aluminum eggcrate's, we get them from global industrial. the operators swear by them.

"I am stuck on Band-Aid brand, 'cause they are stuck on me"

 

[precisiontech]

RPosty can you provide a link to the eggcrates.

 

[RPosty]

http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/hvac/registers-ducts/grilles/silver-aluminum-aluminum-eggcrate-1

this is where we got it. there may be better sources. I forget what it costs, but if you are able to buy a pallet (250 pcs I think) you can get it direct from the manufacturer (American Louver) for much less per sheet.

"I am stuck on Band-Aid brand, 'cause they are stuck on me"

 

[U2tree]

We've also made a few grates from SS that are about a half inch taller than the stock ones. Assuming you cut your own grates, make the SS ones taller, and only replace every third one. Should still give you enough stability with less points of contact, and less grates to change.

Also I made these on my own once, it was kinda ok, but kinda a pain too...

http://www.lasergrating.com/

 

[HenryRollins]

I have had customers in the past design their own grates, needle like points that were thin. Good for 18g to 11g and had minimal contact with the material but down side is cost of material to make the grates and keeping the work piece on the grate.

-HR

 

[precisiontech]

Thanks for all the input guys. I really appreciate it.

 

[krugtech]

make sure you hit like on everything you like! laserninja is ahead of me again

Chris Krug

http://krugtech.com/

Maximum Up-time, Minimum BS

 

[Lasercutpaul]

Just heard another way, was wondering if anyone has tried it. Floor wax on the slats when they are new?

 

[krugtech]

be careful of whatever you use, super heating some substances can give off some nasty fumes.

Chris Krug

http://krugtech.com/

Maximum Up-time, Minimum BS