RH Plastics Masthead & Logo

SM-320-TA (CA)
Conveyor cutting plotter with revolutionary fabric

Make: SMRE


SM-320-TA is a powerful industrial conveyor plotter for the continuous cutting of technical textiles in large and XXL shapes. The SM-320-TA is the only conveyor in the world that was specifically designed for the production of tension structures, shade sails, (truck) covers and tarpaulins. In designing the machine, S.M.R.E. has focused on solving the problems of conventional conveying systems: fabric pulling power, fabric movement and cutting precision.

The S.M.R.E. conveyor belt is made of extremely sturdy, multiple-layer industrial fabric that, when used correctly, can handle years and years of intensive production without needing to be replaced, ever. The S.M.R.E. belt has such high resistance that it goes well beyond comparison with the conveyor belts installed on machines constructed by other manufacturers. The difference is not only its duration, but also its reliability and the quality of the cut. The S.M.R.E. belt is composed of two heavy layers: one on which the blade works (the top layer), and a second layer (the lower layer) for support. The cutting tools, whether this is a rotary blade or a drag knife, will only affect the top layer. The second, lower layer will not be touched by the knives at all, making sure that the conveyor belt keeps its perfectly flat shape intact and not be subject to distorsions, which is what happens with conventional, single-layer belts. Belts installed by other manufacturers will lose their shape after just a few weeks of intensive cutting. This can severely compromise the functionality and cutting precision of the machine. The combination of the layers give the S.M.R.E. conveyor belt an extremely long lifetime and guarantees great cutting precision. Belts that are intensively used look like new, even after years of heavy duty cutting.

S.M.R.E. has also developed an innovative solution for the transportation of the fabric: a combination of a special fabric and belt blocking system with a revolutionary strong conveyor belt. When the fabric is being spread on the work top, two differentiated systems – two lateral grippers and a horizontal pressing bar – attached to the working bridge simultaneously block both the belt and the fabric, so that the movement of the belt and the fabric is completely synchronized, thus avoiding the fabric from slipping out of position.

Together with the horizontal pressing bar and the lateral grippers, the vacuum turbine secures the fabric to the work top so that it will not slip during the cutting cycle. The worktop surface is perforated in a special configuration so that the efficiency of the vacuum system is optimized. The vacuum turbine is automatically activated right before the cutting cycle starts and automatically stops when the cycle is completed. In order to enhance the precision of the machine, SM-320-TA offers the possibility to keep the vacuum function switched on during movement of the fabric. When the conveyor belt is moving to pull and spread a new piece of fabric onto the work top, the vacuum turbine automatically switches to a lower power level, but remains on, so that the air suction assists the pressing bar and lateral grippers in keeping the fabric in place, thus insuring a great precision even on XXL shapes. Before starting the cutting job, the vacuum turbine automatically switches to full power. On the SM-320-TA conveyor plotter the turbine, silenced at the exit of the air flow, is installed underneath the table.

Several different cutting or marking tools can be simultaneously installed on the SM-320-TA so that the operator has the right tool on hand for cutting any type of material at all times.

The computer that comes with the machine is not an average office PC, but a heavy duty industrial computer especially developed to be operated in industrial environments. The Easy Works Extreme Cad/Cam software dedicated to this machine makes the operating of the SM-320-TA easy and very efficient. In addition to the Easy Works Xtreme program the operator can select countless working options, like an automatic “nesting” program that fits the various cutting shapes on the work top, optimizes the cutting sequence and greatly reduces discards. The machines also features a powerful calculation module called the “split box” that can manage and break down very large shapes into smaller, “workable” pieces. The S.M.R.E. software is compatible with all current Cad/Cam programs available on the market and can import and manage files written in DXF and EPS formats.
Drawing can be done directly on the computer that comes with the machine. Alternatively drawings can be uploaded from the company database or from a simple flash memory stick. Easy Works Xtreme will calculate the optimal cutting track, to make sure the machine cuts as fast and precise as possible. Even very complex shapes are not a problem.
The SM-320-TA is therefore the perfect machine for the production of tensile structures, shade sails, (truck) covers and tarpaulins. Ready to take on the even toughest cutting job with extreme precision. 

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