Laser Cutting Machine and Storage Integration
How to automate sheet metal handling
The integration between a storage system and a laser cutting machine makes it possible to connect sheet metal storage directly to the cutting process, automating material handling and machine feeding operations.
In a modern sheet metal processing department, the warehouse should not be considered simply as an area for storing material. Through an integrated system, it can become an active part of the production process.
Connecting the sheet metal storage system, handling systems, automatic loader and laser cutting machine helps reduce manual operations, optimize available space and increase the autonomy of the cutting process.
What is the integration between a storage system and a laser cutting machine?
The integration of a sheet metal storage system with a laser cutting machine involves designing a system in which the sheet metal warehouse communicates and works together with the machine used for cutting.
The process can therefore be organized according to an automated sequence:
SHEET METAL STORAGE
↓
MATERIAL MANAGEMENT
↓
RETRIEVAL
↓
HANDLING
↓
MACHINE LOADING
↓
LASER CUTTING
This allows material to move from storage to production with fewer manual interventions.
Why integrate a storage system with a laser cutting machine?
Integration makes it possible to improve one of the activities that has a major impact on the organization of a sheet metal processing department: the management and handling of raw material.
When material is moved manually between the warehouse and the machine, several operations are required, including retrieval, transport, positioning and preparation of the sheet metal.
An integrated system can automate part of these operations and make the production flow more continuous.
The main objectives of integration are:
- reducing manual handling;
- optimizing storage space;
- improving inventory organization;
- reducing material preparation times;
- increasing laser cutting machine autonomy;
- improving operational safety;
- making the production process more efficient.
How can a storage system be integrated with a laser cutting machine?
There is no single configuration suitable for every company. Integration must be designed according to the facility, the laser cutting machine and the characteristics of the sheet metal being processed.
In general, the system can include several components working together.
1. Storage system
The first element is the system used to store the sheet metal.
The capacity and configuration of the storage system must be defined according to the quantity of material to be managed, sheet formats, thicknesses and available space.
Vertical systems can also make use of the height of the facility to increase storage capacity while reducing the floor area required.
2. Handling system
Once the required sheet metal has been identified, the handling system transfers the material from the storage area to the loading zone.
Automatic handling reduces the need for manual operations and creates a more organized material flow.
3. Loading system
The automatic loader provides the direct connection between the sheet metal management system and the laser cutting machine.
Its purpose is to transfer and position the sheet metal on the machine, preparing it for the cutting cycle.
Discover automatic loading systems for laser cutting machines
4. Laser cutting machine
The laser cutting machine is where the sheet metal is actually processed.
The automation system must therefore be designed according to the characteristics of the machine and the way in which sheet metal is loaded and exchanged.
Integration between automatic storage and laser cutting
The level of automation increases when the storage system is directly connected to the laser cutting machine through automatic handling and loading systems.
In this configuration, the operator does not necessarily have to perform all the operations between storing the sheet metal and processing it.
The system can manage the material and make it available to the machine according to production requirements.
This approach transforms the warehouse into a true automated extension of the production department.
Integrating an existing laser cutting machine
Warehouse automation does not necessarily require the purchase of a new laser cutting machine.
In some cases, it is possible to design a solution to integrate a storage system with a laser cutting machine already installed.
Feasibility depends on the characteristics of the existing system and must take several factors into account:
- laser cutting machine model and configuration;
- sheet metal dimensions and formats;
- material thicknesses and weights;
- production department layout;
- available space;
- current loading and unloading procedures;
- required storage capacity;
- desired level of automation.
A proper initial analysis makes it possible to determine how the new system can be integrated into the existing production process.
Layout is essential when integrating storage and laser cutting
The physical arrangement of the different components is one of the most important aspects when designing an integrated system.
The following aspects should be considered:
- storage areas;
- laser cutting machine position;
- handling routes;
- operator accessibility;
- other machines present in the department;
- spaces required for manual loading;
- possibility of future system expansion.
Proper planning makes it possible to integrate automation without compromising the overall functionality of the facility.
Storage and laser machine integration: optimizing space
One of the main reasons why companies choose to automate sheet metal storage is the need to manage large quantities of material in a limited space.
Vertical development makes it possible to use the available height inside the facility, increasing storage capacity without necessarily requiring a proportional increase in floor space.
This approach can be particularly useful in facilities where floor space is limited.
Automatic inventory management
An integrated system can also improve the organization of sheet metal stored in the warehouse.
Position management makes it possible to know where the material is stored and facilitates its retrieval when requested by production.
This changes the approach from simply using available storage space to a more organized inventory management system.
The result is greater visibility of the material available in the facility and reduced time required to locate the sheet metal needed for processing.
From storage to laser cutting without unnecessary handling
One of the objectives of integration is to reduce unnecessary movement of sheet metal.
In a traditional process, material may be moved several times before reaching the laser cutting machine.
An automated system makes it possible to create a more direct route:
STORAGE
↓
RETRIEVAL
↓
AUTOMATIC HANDLING
↓
AUTOMATIC LOADER
↓
LASER CUTTING MACHINE
Reducing unnecessary handling helps make the process more organized and efficient.
Storage integration and automatic sheet metal feeding
Connecting the storage system to an automatic feeding system makes it possible to extend automation through to the machine loading stage.
The sheet metal is retrieved from the storage system and transferred to the loader, which makes it available to the machine for the cutting cycle.
In this way, the storage system and loading system work together to ensure continuous material availability.
Learn more about automatic sheet metal feeding
Integration with one or more laser cutting machines
Centralized material management can be particularly useful for companies operating multiple laser cutting machines.
Depending on the plant configuration, a storage system can be designed to manage large quantities of material and supply different production areas.
The design must take into account production volumes, machine usage frequency and the routes required to move the sheet metal.
A centralized storage system can therefore become a common material management point.
What factors should be considered before integrating storage with laser cutting?
Before designing an automation system, it is necessary to analyze the characteristics of the entire production process.
The main factors to consider include:
- quantity of sheet metal to be stored;
- sheet formats used;
- thicknesses processed;
- sheet metal weight;
- number of laser cutting machines;
- available space within the facility;
- available building height;
- frequency of loading operations;
- desired level of automation;
- possibility of future expansion.
Evaluating these elements makes it possible to design a solution that matches the company’s actual production requirements.
Storage and laser cutting integration for process automation
Integration does not necessarily have to be limited to connecting the storage system and laser cutting machine.
The project can include several stages of sheet metal management:
STORAGE
↓
MATERIAL MANAGEMENT
↓
HANDLING
↓
AUTOMATIC LOADING
↓
LASER CUTTING
↓
UNLOADING
↓
SORTING
Automation can therefore be developed progressively according to the company’s needs.
A scalable system based on production requirements
Not every company requires the same level of automation.
For this reason, an integration system can be designed around current requirements while allowing additional functions to be implemented at a later stage.
Modularity makes it possible to adapt the system as production grows and the production layout changes.
This approach avoids designing a system that is excessively oversized for current requirements, while maintaining the possibility of expanding it over time.
BEMATIK’s experience in integrating sheet metal automation systems
BEMATIK Srl develops robotic systems dedicated to sheet metal handling, transport and storage, designed to be installed alongside and integrated with laser cutting machines.
The company has more than 25 years of specific experience in automation for laser cutting machines, with several hundred systems installed worldwide.
Its range of solutions addresses different requirements in terms of space, storage capacity and automation level.
Another key strength of BEMATIK is its ability to develop customized solutions for integration with existing plants and production environments.
Why choose an integrated storage and laser cutting system?
Integrating a storage system with a laser cutting machine makes it possible to improve the entire raw material flow, from storage through to processing.
The material can be organized, handled and made available to production through a system designed to reduce manual operations and optimize the production flow.
The integration of a storage system with a laser cutting machine is a practical solution for automating sheet metal management and connecting storage directly to the cutting process.
By combining automatic storage, material handling and sheet metal loading, companies can reduce manual operations, optimize available space and increase laser cutting machine autonomy.
The ideal configuration should be designed according to the facility layout, sheet metal characteristics, required storage capacity and the company’s production objectives.
When properly designed, integration can transform the warehouse from a simple storage area into an active and automated component of the production process.
Discover the Laser Cutting Machine with Integrated Storage
