Sheet metal processing cell for applying web material to a surface of sheet metal and method thereof

A sheet metal processing cell for applying a web material to a surface of a sheet metal being processed in the sheet metal processing cell, wherein the web material is unwound from a convolutely wound roll of the web material and the roll is rotatably supported by a mandrel, the sheet metal processing cell comprising:

• an applicator assembly, the applicator assembly comprising:
• a conveyor on which the sheet metal moves through the processing cell in a direction of advancement;
• an unwind stand adjacent to the conveyor, the unwind stand being adapted and configured to receive the mandrel;
• an applicator roller spaced from the conveyor, the applicator roller being adapted and configured to receive the web material from the roll of wound web material and apply the web material to the sheet metal being conveyed on the conveyor;
• a storage assembly, the storage assembly comprising a storage structure, the storage structure disposed above the conveyor, the storage structure including a plurality mounts, the mounts being adapted and configured to support the mandrel;
• and
• a transfer assembly, the transfer assembly comprising:
• a picker assembly, the picker assembly being adapted and configured to move between the applicator assembly and the storage assembly and transfer the mandrel between the unwind stand and the mounts in the storage structure, the picker assembly having a roll clamp assembly, the roll clamp assembly being adapted and configured to engage and disengage from the mandrel when the picker assembly transfers the mandrel to and from the unwind stand and when the picker assembly transfers the mandrel to and from the mounts in the storage structure;
• a first slide assembly adapted and configured to move the picker assembly in a first direction relative to the direction of advancement as the picker assembly moves between the applicator assembly and the storage assembly;
• a second slide assembly adapted and configured to move the picker assembly in a second direction relative to the direction of advancement as the picker assembly moves between the applicator assembly and the storage assembly.