Sheet metal processing cell with part capture table

A method of processing a length sheet metal in a sheet metal processing cell, wherein the sheet metal processing cell comprises:

• (i) a stacker for forming a stack comprising the length of sheet metal, and (ii) a part capture table wherein the part capture table is movable between an inserted position and withdrawn area relative to the stacker, wherein when the part capture table is in the inserted position, the part capture table is positioned within a frame structure of the stacker below a stack forming portion of the stacker and above an exit conveyor of the stacker, wherein when the part capture table is in the withdrawn area, the part capture table is positioned outside of the frame structure of the stacker, the method comprising:
• directing the length of sheet metal through an inlet of the stacker in a direction of advancement;
• moving the stack forming portion of the stacker adjacent the inlet of the stacker to receive the length of sheet metal and to position the length of the sheet of metal in a manner to be received in the stack;
• moving the part capture table to the inserted position within the frame structure of the stacker in a manner where the part capture table is below the stack forming portion and above the exit conveyor of the stacker on which the stack comprising the length of sheet is positioned when forming the stack;
• disengaging the length of sheet metal from the stack forming portion in a manner so as to allow the length of sheet metal to be received on the part capture table;
• with the captured length of sheet metal on the part capture table, moving the part capture table to the withdrawn area;
• moving the part capture table from the withdrawn area to the inserted position with the with the captured length of sheet metal on the part capture table;
• and
• once in the inserted position, with a conveyor of the part capture table, conveying the captured length of sheet metal from the part capture table to the stack.