Overview
Linear front-of-line systems destack, prepare and feed blanks into the press: magnetic and vacuum conveyors, shuttles, pick-and-place and robotic blank feed. They run on their own or tied into the transfer control, with or without a coil feed line, to build a complete stamping cell.
Key Features
- Destacking
- Single or dual-head pick and place, robotic, and overhead magnetic or vacuum destackers.
- Blank feeding
- Magnetic, vacuum and combined conveyors; single and double unattached blank feed; ferrous and non-ferrous blanks, including tailor welded blanks. Linear rates its blank feed systems at 40+ SPM.
- Double blank detection
- Contact, laser or mechanical detection, with automatic rejection.
- Blank preparation
- In-line or off-line blank washing and lubrication, programmable for pattern or volume.
- Orientation and separation
- Vision systems or line scanners locate each blank for the robot; fanner magnets, brushes and mechanical separators split the stack.
- Stack handling
- Stack carts, stack orientation, hydraulic pushers with laser guidance, and in-ground or above-ground stack lifts.
Product Line / Models
Typical front-of-line layouts:
- In-line or T-style blank feed – with full line guarding and safety.
- Robotic blank feed – robot destacking with vision orientation.
- Blank destacker with coil line – roll the destacker aside and run coil-fed progressive work in the same press.
Applications & Benefits
- Transfer and tandem lines: Keeps the first station fed at line speed.
- Fewer double hits: Double blank detection and rejection protect the die.
- Less handling: Blanks go from stack to die with no manual loading.
- Flexible: Programmable presentation heights and recipes for each part.
How to Choose the Right Front-of-Line System
- Blank size, weight, thickness and material (steel, aluminum, coated).
- Target strokes per minute.
- Whether blanks need washing, oiling or orientation.
- Floor space and whether a coil line must share the press.
Why Linear Front-of-Line Systems Are Trusted
- Built for stamping: Linear started in 1994 building transfer systems for metal stamping and now supplies transfer, front-of-line, end-of-line and press-to-press automation worldwide.
- In-house from design to start-up: design, programming, assembly, installation, commissioning and training are all done by Linear.
- Supported in North America: Linear is part of Nidec Press & Automation, with service locations in Barrie and Windsor, Ontario, Louisville, Kentucky and Monterrey, Mexico, and 24/7 support.
Contact & Ordering
Need help picking the right model or getting a quote? Provide these details:
- Blank size, thickness, weight and material
- Stack height and how stacks arrive (cart, pallet, forklift)
- Press and transfer make and model
- Target strokes per minute
- Contact PRI to discuss specs, lead times, and installation support.
