Automation systems for Laser Processing Machines

Herochu Automation Systems: Unlocking Unmanned Production for Laser Processing Machines

In the competitive landscape of modern metal fabrication, the true cost of a laser cutting machine is not measured by its purchase price alone, but by its total operational throughput and the relentless efficiency of its entire workflow. The most advanced laser source, capable of slicing through 50mm steel at breathtaking speeds, is ultimately constrained by a fundamental bottleneck: the manual loading and unloading of raw material and finished parts. This human-dependent cycle creates inevitable downtime, introduces variability in process reliability, and ties up valuable skilled labor on repetitive, physically demanding tasks.

Rising employment costs, intensifying global competition, and the pressing need to handle smaller, more customized order batches profitably are compelling fabricators to re-engineer their production floors. The strategic answer to these challenges lies in intelligent automation. Herochu Automation Systems for Laser Processing Machines are not merely auxiliary components; they are transformative integration solutions designed to elevate your laser cutting cell into a continuous, high-velocity, unmanned production unit. This represents a fundamental shift from manual operation to orchestrated, automated manufacturing, maximizing the return on investment from your primary laser asset.

Engineered for seamless integration with a wide spectrum of laser cutting platforms, Herochu automation systems provide the critical link between raw material storage and the cutting process. Our systems are meticulously crafted to handle the rigorous demands of industrial environments, ensuring flawless, automatic supply of raw sheets and the efficient evacuation of cut parts and skeletons. By automating these fundamental processes, we empower your business to achieve maximum process reliability, reduce staffing dependencies, and operate through breaks and unmanned shifts, dramatically increasing overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) and securing a formidable competitive advantage.

Engineering Excellence: The Core of Herochu Automation Systems

The reliability of an automation system is paramount, as it becomes the central nervous system of your material flow. Herochu systems are built upon a foundation of robust engineering and premium components, ensuring years of trouble-free operation under significant load and continuous use.

Precision Movement and Drive Systems: The core of the material handling mechanism utilizes high-precision linear guide rails, ensuring absolutely straight and stable movement without deviation or wobble, even under full load. This is coupled with a heavy-duty chain drive transmission system, a technology selected for its proven reliability, immense strength, and ability to transmit high torque over long distances with minimal maintenance requirements. This combination guarantees that every movement—whether lifting a multi-ton stack of steel or positioning a single sheet—is executed with pinpoint accuracy and unwavering consistency.

High-Speed Performance for Reduced Cycle Times: In synchronization with fast laser cutting times, the automation system must keep pace. Herochu units are designed for speed without compromise. The vertical lifting mechanism operates at a rapid 9 meters per minute, ensuring swift access to any material layer within the system. The inlet and outlet speed for sheet transfer is an impressive 12 meters per minute, facilitating quick exchange between the storage magazine and the laser machine table. This high-velocity performance is critical for minimizing non-cutting time and squeezing the utmost productivity from every hour.

Exceptional Load Capacity and Configurable Layouts: To accommodate the diverse needs of fabricators, Herochu systems are available in a range of standard sizes, including 3015, 4015, 4020, 6015, 6020, and 6025mm, ensuring a perfect fit for your laser machine’s table. Each system features multiple floors, typically ranging from 8 to 13 levels, providing substantial buffer storage for a variety of materials and thicknesses. Crucially, each layer is engineered to support substantial weight, with standard load capacities of 3 tonnes and optional upgrades to 5 tonnes per layer. This immense strength allows for the storage of dense, thick-plate materials alongside thinner gauges, all within the same automated unit.

Intelligent Plate Support and Handling: Recognizing that different materials require different handling solutions, Herochu offers optional plate support systems. These can be customized to minimize surface contact and prevent scratching on pre-finished or delicate materials like aluminum or stainless steel, while providing robust support for heavy steel plate. The entire handling process is designed for gentleness and precision, ensuring sheets are presented perfectly flat and correctly positioned to the laser machine’s pins or chuck system for first-time, every-time accurate pickup.

Functional Versatility: From Semi-Automatic to Fully Integrated Cells

The Herochu philosophy is based on modular flexibility. We understand that automation is a journey, and our systems are designed to provide solutions at every step, from reducing manual labor to achieving complete lights-out production.

Universal Loading and Unloading Unit: This serves as the cornerstone of automation. It is a fast, dynamic, and compact unit that acts as a perfect intermediary between raw material and the laser. It automatically feeds blank sheets into the machine and, upon completion of the cut cycle, can unload the entire table—separating finished parts from the scrap skeleton if required. This single unit eliminates the most labor-intensive aspects of the job, allowing one operator to manage multiple machines simultaneously.

Auxiliary Pallet Operation and Sorting: For shops handling high-mix production, the ability to quickly switch materials is key. Herochu systems can be equipped with auxiliary pallet stations, allowing for the pre-setting of the next material type while the current job is running. This enables instantaneous changeover, effectively eliminating setup downtime. Furthermore, advanced sorting functionalities can be integrated to organize cut parts, streamlining the downstream workflow.

Fully Automated Production with Storage Connection: The ultimate expression of efficiency is the fully automated cell. Herochu automation systems can be seamlessly connected to automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) or sheet metal racks. This creates a continuous, closed-loop material flow where raw sheets are automatically retrieved from storage, fed to the laser, and finished parts are directed to their next destination—all without human intervention. This enables true 24/7 unmanned production, dramatically increasing asset utilization and throughput.

The Tangible Benefits of Automating Your Laser Workflow

The investment in a Herochu Automation System translates into direct, measurable improvements across your entire operation.

Dramatic Increase in Machine Utilization: By eliminating loading/unloading downtime, your laser cutter can spend a significantly higher proportion of its time actually cutting. It is not uncommon to see machine utilization rates increase by 40% or more, effectively adding capacity without purchasing another machine.

Significant Labor Optimization and Cost Reduction: Automating the most strenuous and repetitive tasks allows you to redeploy skilled operators to more value-added roles such as programming, quality inspection, and finishing operations. This reduces reliance on difficult-to-find manual labor and mitigates the impact of rising employment costs.

Enhanced Safety and Process Reliability: Removing personnel from the direct handling of heavy, sharp-edged sheets drastically improves workplace safety. Furthermore, automated handling is precise and consistent, eliminating the human error that can lead to sheet misalignment, scrapped parts, or machine collisions.

Superior Material Management and Traceability: An automated system provides organized, designated storage for different materials, reducing clutter and the risk of damage. When integrated with higher-level MES software, it can enable full traceability, tracking which sheet was used for which job, enhancing quality control and production management.

Certified Quality and Global Support: Every Herochu Automation System is manufactured under strict quality controls certified to ISO 9001. Our products carry the CE mark, ensuring compliance with the stringent health and safety directives of the European Union. As a manufacturer and supplier with a proven export track record, we provide reliable support and service. Our systems represent the pinnacle of value, with customizable solutions starting at $8,900, making advanced automation accessible for a wide range of businesses.

Specification Overview:

• Brand Name: Herochu

• Product Name: Automation Systems for Laser Processing Machines

• Compatible Sizes: 3015, 4015, 4020, 6015, 6020, 6025mm

• Floors: 8-13 Levels

• Load Capacity: 3T or 5T per Layer

• Movement Mode: Linear Guide Rail + Chain

• Transmission: Chain Drive

• Lifting Speed: 9 m/min

• Inlet/Outlet Speed: 12 m/min

• Plate Support: Optional Configurations

• Certification: ISO 9001, CE

• Starting Price: $8,900 (Customizable)

Embrace the future of manufacturing. Contact Herochu today to schedule a consultation and receive a detailed proposal for an automation system engineered to maximize the productivity and profitability of your laser cutting operations.