TRUMPF Automated Systems- Laser Machines- TruLaser 3030 / 3040 / 3060

With add-on Automation components it's not only possible to achieve "Lights out" processing, it's possible to achieve a world-class manufacturing system

The Flexible Manufacturing Center (FMC) is a modular sheet-processing unit. The heart of the unit is the Laser Machine (TruLaser 3030 / 3040 / 3060 ). Connected to it are automation components for loading and unloading, sorting, tool changing and storage. The Laser Machine can be expanded to create a flexible sheet processing system. The configuration stages of the FMC can be adapted to your exact needs.
The TruLaser 3030 / 3040 / 3060 are CNC controlled laser cutting systems for machining flat work-pieces. TRUMPF has developed a multi-stage automation concept for loading and unloading operations on the machine. Thanks to this concept, the extent of machine automation can be tailored to the customer's requirements. The most important automation components available are:

LiftMaster: Used for loading and unloading the machine automatically. Three different versions of the LiftMaster are offered; in all versions, the work-piece is loaded onto the machine with the aid of suction cups.

LiftMaster R (Rake): In this version, the LiftMaster is equipped with a rake, which removes the entire processed sheet from the pallet and deposits it in a defined position.

Loading cart: Raw material stacks are placed on this cart and conveyed to loading position.

Loading/Unloading cart: The loading/unloading cart has two levels: one to accommodate raw material stacks for loading and one where finished sheets can be deposited after being off-loaded.

Unloading platform: Processed sheets, after being off-loaded, are deposited on the unloading platform. The parts can then be removed from the sheet and sorted, if necessary.

Storage system: In the storage system (compact or high storage bay), the raw material is stored either as individual sheets or in stacks on auxiliary pallets, depending on the configuration. The finish-processed sheets can also be stored here individually on pallets or as stacks.

Description of Automation Components

LiftMaster-

With the LiftMaster, sheets of different sizes can be automatically loaded onto the pallet changer of the machine and the finished parts and scrap skeleton removed from the machine.

A swivel arm, bearing a vacuum frame fitted with suction cups, conveys the sheet from the loading station to the pallet changer.

With the aid of a so-called unloading fork integrated in the vacuum frame, the finished parts and scrap skeleton are transferred from the pallet changer to a platform.

Work-piece format

The loading device can handle work-pieces of various formats:

  • The suction cups can be activated or deactivated by means of manual slide valves as required by the sheet format OR


  • The suction cup arrangement can be modified. Step-less relocation of all suction cups to new positions simply by loosening the clamping screws.


Home position

The swivel device with the vacuum frame is located above the raw material stack. The frame and suction cups are in uppermost position, the unloading fork is extended on both sides.

Loading cycle

The suction cups are lowered to DOWN position. The vacuum frame descends, vacuum is activated and the sheet picked up (if necessary, the sheet is peeled up by activating the peel-off function and sheet thickness gauge).

  • Vacuum frame ascends to uppermost position.


  • Vacuum frame swings over to the pallet changer of the laser-cutting machine.


  • The sheet is placed on the pallet of the pallet changer, vacuum is deactivated. A brief pressure pulse from the suction cups releases the sheet.


  • Suction cups and vacuum frame ascend to uppermost position, the device swings back to home position.


Unloading cycle

Condition: A pallet holding finished parts is located in the pallet changer.

  • The vacuum frame (with the unloading fork open) swings over to the pallet changer and descends until the gripping face of the fork is somewhat lower than the finished workpiece on the pallet.


  • The left and right halves of the fork come together, reaching in between the support slats of the pallet, beneath the processed workpiece.


  • The vacuum frame is raised and swings over to the platform for finished parts.


  • The frame descends to depositing position.


  • The two halves of the fork pull apart, leaving the finished workpiece on the platform.


  • The vacuum frame, with the fork open, ascends and resumes its home position above the raw material stack.


Features and benefits of the LiftMaster

  • Simple, economical automation


  • Fast and safe handling of work-pieces and sheets of different sizes.


  • Greatly facilitates the loading of heavy sheets.


  • Fully automatic loading and unloading while production is running.


  • Allows fully automatic production to continue through breaks and shift changes.


  • Especially effective in conjunction with short machining times.


  • Large number of dissimilar work-pieces can be produced in an automatic cycle.


  • The operator is no longer tied to the cycle times at the machine and can assume other tasks.


    • Dual Carts-

    Two carts are employed for the loading and unloading procedure. One cart holds unprocessed material ready, the other cart receives processed workpieces.

    For the loading operation, the loading cart is always active in the lower position. This means that the second, upper level cart, can be moved into position in productive time as soon as a nest has been completed in the machine. If the last raw material sheet has been removed, the active level of the loading cart is driven out of the safety range and replaced by a full pallet.


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