Laser Cutting Machine with Integrated Storage
Complete Automation of Sheet Metal Processing
A laser cutting machine with integrated storage is a production system in which the laser cutting machine is connected to an automated system for storing and handling sheet metal.
The integration between the laser cutting machine and the storage system makes it possible to manage materials in a more organized way, reducing manual operations and making the production flow more efficient.
Sheet metal can be stored within the automated system and subsequently moved to the laser cutting machine according to production requirements.
The result is a system in which sheet metal storage, handling and processing are connected within a single production process.
Why Integrate a Storage System with a Laser Cutting Machine?
In traditional production environments, sheet metal is often stored in areas separate from the laser cutting machine and moved through manual operations.
This can result in:
- material handling times;
- large floor space requirements;
- difficulties in inventory management;
- increased manual handling;
- interruptions to the production cycle.
Integrating an automated storage system makes it possible to bring material management closer to production and automate a significant part of the process.
The goal is not simply to store more sheet metal, but to create a system in which the material is available when needed and can be transferred to the laser cutting machine quickly and efficiently.
How Does a Laser Cutting Machine with Automated Storage Work?
The operation of an integrated system can be divided into several stages:
1. Sheet Metal Storage
Sheet metal is organized within the storage system, making efficient use of the available space.
2. Material Identification
The system makes it possible to identify the sheet metal required according to production needs.
3. Automated Handling
The sheet metal is retrieved and transferred to the loading system.
4. Feeding the Laser Cutting Machine
The material is delivered to the laser cutting machine and positioned for the cutting process.
5. Continuation of the Production Cycle
Once processing is complete, the cut material can be managed through unloading, handling or sorting systems.
In this way, the storage system is no longer simply a storage area, but becomes an integral part of the production process.
Laser Cutting Machine with Storage: What Are the Advantages?
The integration of a laser cutting machine with an automated storage system can offer several advantages to companies working with sheet metal.
Space Optimization
Automated systems can make use of the vertical space within the facility, increasing storage capacity without requiring large floor areas.
This is particularly important when available production space is limited.
Reduced Manual Handling
Handling sheet metal can require dedicated equipment and personnel.
With an automated system, a significant part of these operations can be managed automatically, reducing manual intervention and improving safety within the production area.
Greater Material Availability
An organized system makes it possible to know where the sheet metal is stored and retrieve it when required.
Automated inventory management therefore facilitates production planning and reduces the time required to locate and prepare material.
Greater Laser Cutting Machine Autonomy
The connection between the storage system and the laser cutting machine makes it possible to automate material feeding.
The machine can therefore operate with greater continuity, reducing downtime associated with sheet metal preparation and loading.
Storage Tower and Laser Cutting Machine
One of the most interesting configurations for integrating storage and laser cutting is a sheet metal storage tower.
The vertical structure makes it possible to take advantage of the height of the facility and organize a large quantity of material within a relatively compact footprint.
Storage towers can be configured according to the required storage capacity and connected to the handling and loading systems of the laser cutting machine.
Laser Cutting with Automated Sheet Metal Storage
A laser cutting machine with automated sheet metal storage makes it possible to integrate raw material management directly into the cutting process.
The storage system can automatically make the required material available, while the loading system handles its transfer to the machine.
This configuration makes it possible to create a production flow:
STORAGE → HANDLING → LOADING → LASER CUTTING
Automation can be extended to the stages following the cutting process through unloading and sorting systems.
For further information: Laser Cutting Machine with Automated Sheet Metal Storage
Integration Between the Storage System and the Laser Cutting Machine
The efficiency of an integrated system depends on the ability of the different components of the system to work together.
Integration can include:
- storage system;
- inventory management;
- automated material handling;
- loading system;
- pallet changer;
- laser cutting machine;
- unloading system;
- sorting of cut parts.
The result is a process in which the different stages of production are connected to one another.
Integration can also be designed around existing equipment, adapting the automation system to the layout and characteristics of the production environment.
Automated Sheet Metal Loading to the Laser Cutting Machine
The storage system reaches its highest level of efficiency when it is connected to an automated loading system.
The loader retrieves the sheet metal from the storage system and transfers it to the laser cutting machine, reducing the need for manual handling.
Automated loading is particularly useful in production environments characterized by:
- high production volumes;
- continuous production cycles;
- large sheet metal formats;
- thick sheet metal;
- the need to reduce non-productive time.
Laser Cutting Machine with Integrated Storage and Industry 4.0
The integration of storage and laser cutting represents an important step toward a more automated production environment.
Digital material management makes it possible to improve inventory control and production organization, while automated handling reduces manual activities.
When the storage system, loading systems and laser cutting machine are integrated into a single process, the system can achieve a high level of production autonomy.
How to Choose a Storage System for a Laser Cutting Machine
There is no universal configuration suitable for every company.
The choice of storage system should take several factors into account:
Available Space
Both the available floor space and the height of the facility need to be evaluated.
Sheet Metal Format
The system must be sized according to the sheet metal formats used in production.
Thickness and Weight
The handling capacity must be suitable for the materials being processed.
Material Quantity
The storage capacity must be proportional to production requirements.
Number of Laser Cutting Machines
When multiple machines need to be supplied by the same storage system, the overall system configuration becomes particularly important.
Level of Automation
Solutions can be designed with different levels of automation, from simpler configurations to integrated systems capable of managing storage, loading, unloading and material handling.
BEMATIK’s Experience in Sheet Metal Automation
BEMATIK Srl offers international markets robotic systems dedicated to the handling, transport and storage of sheet metal, designed to work alongside laser cutting machines.
The company has more than 25 years of specific experience in automation systems for laser cutting machines, with several hundred installations worldwide.
The company also has extensive expertise in designing customized solutions for integration with existing production systems and layouts.
An Integrated Solution for Sheet Metal Management
The combination of a laser cutting machine and an automated storage system makes it possible to rethink the entire sheet metal management process.
It is not simply a matter of adding a storage system to a laser cutting machine, but of designing a system in which storage, handling, loading and processing can operate in a coordinated manner.
For companies looking to increase production automation, this integration can represent an important opportunity to improve efficiency, safety and organization within the production area.
A laser cutting machine with integrated storage connects raw material management directly to the cutting process, automating sheet metal storage, handling and feeding operations.
The system configuration should be designed according to the available space, sheet metal formats and thicknesses, required storage capacity and desired level of automation.
By integrating an automated storage system, loading systems and laser cutting machine, it is possible to create a more efficient, organized and autonomous production process.
