Minimize Waste With Automated Cutting

Exhibitor Profile: Lectra

Evaluating a cutting machine comes down to two big questions: What can it cut and how much can it cut? At Composites 2010, Lectra will showcase its Vector Techtex FX, an automated cutting solution that can cut a single ply or up to an inch of stacked compressed material, including fiberglass, pregpreg, woven unidirectional materials, mylar, honeycomb and more.

Choosing the right cutting machine and software can help manufacturers cut cycle time and material consumption, says Melissa Vidakovic, marketing manager. A patented feature of the Techtex FX allows cutting to continue while the material advances. The cutters also leave a small buffer between pieces, so that waste is minimal. “In the composites industry, one thing that manufacturers face is reducing that material waste, because materials can be pretty pricey,” says Vidkovic. “If you’re using an automated machine, you’re using the most fabric you can.

The company will also feature the Design Concept TechTex., a design software solution that allows manufacturers to develop 2D templates from 3D shapes. The software enables users to create virtual models, develop templates, analyze feasibility, and it flattens pattern designs for cutting. “It’s specifically adapted to the production of seat interiors for the automotive, nautical and marine segments, but it has various applications,” says Vidakovic.

Lectra will exhibit at Booth #845

Tags: CAD, CAM, cutting, fabric, Lectra

This entry was posted on Monday, December 14th, 2009 at 12:57 pm and is filed under Exhibitor Profiles, Manufacturing and Processes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.