Process for separating, collecting and storing pieces cut from one or more metal sheets and system implementing said process

A process for separating, collecting and storing cut pieces from one or more metal sheets produced with at least one cutting step during which one or more uncut pieces, variously arranged and configured, have been cut from the one or more metal sheets, the process comprising:

• (a) transferring a first metal sheet from an exit plane of a cutting machine onto a stacking plane where the first metal sheet is transferred while still comprising cut pieces and any remaining portion of the sheet forming a skeleton;
• (d) storing the theoretical design data related to the first metal sheet, wherein the theoretical design data comprise at least:
• thickness and dimensions of a theoretical metal sheet, theoretical geometry, thickness and arrangement of the cut pieces and of the skeleton;
• (e) scanning the first metal sheet in its entirety and each of the cut pieces and the skeleton. and comparing the stored theoretical design data and data obtained from the scanning and determining whether one or more of the cut pieces are correctly positioned in precise positions from where the one or more of the cut pieces can be collected or whether the one or more of the cut pieces are entirely or partially covered by other pieces and/or by the skeleton;
• (f) for each of the correctly positioned pieces or of the pieces collectable without the skeleton or other pieces hindering collection, programming, configuring and handling at least one gripping member, and collecting the correctly positioned and collectable piece, wherein the programming, configuring, and handling takes place according to the stored theoretical design data and to the obtained data processed during determining;
• (g) unloading the collected pieces onto one or more unloading areas;
• and
• (h) after the cut pieces meeting step (f) have been collected, if one or more cut pieces remain which are positioned so that the skeleton of the first metal sheet prevents the one or more cut pieces from being collected, removing the skeleton and positioning the skeleton in the one or more unloading areas, and successively repeating steps (f) and (g).