The economics of laser cutting are unforgiving. A fiber laser cutting machine represents a significant capital investment, and its profitability depends entirely on cutting arc time—the percentage of each hour that the laser is actually processing material. When operators spend time searching for the correct steel plate, moving it to the cutting bed, and clamping it, machine utilization falls below optimal levels.
Herochu has developed a generation of Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) that do more than just hold sheets—they actively manage material flow, communicate with cutting machines, and eliminate manual touchpoints entirely, from raw sheet receipt to finished part removal.
Vertical Plate Storage System Architecture
The Herochu laser cutting vertical plate storage system ASRS combines high-density vertical storage with automated retrieval and precise delivery. The system functions as a reservoir for production, holding multiple pallets of different sheet sizes and thicknesses and delivering material to the cutting machine’s loading position exactly when needed.
A stacker crane travels between the storage rows, storing and retrieving material automatically as needed. The system achieves storage in/out exchange speeds of 5-15 m/min and lift speeds of 5-15 m/min, ensuring that material delivery keeps pace with high-speed laser cutting operations.
This automated retrieval capability eliminates the idle time that occurs when operators must manually locate and transport materials to the cutting machine. The system delivers any required sheet to the cutting machine’s loading position on demand, ensuring that the laser never waits for material.
Dual-Tower Configuration for High-Volume Production
For high-volume fabrication operations, Herochu offers a dual-tower configuration that can serve up to two laser cutting machines simultaneously. This one-to-two loading and unloading system enables centralized material storage with distributed production capability, maximizing equipment utilization while minimizing the floor space required for material storage.
The dual-tower configuration is particularly valuable for manufacturers running multiple laser cutting machines on a single production schedule. When one laser finishes a job, the cart and gantry already know the next material assignment. When two machines request sheets at the same moment, the software sets priorities, calculates the optimal retrieval route, and coordinates the handling equipment accordingly. The tower doubles as a buffer, with different sheet grades, thicknesses, and sizes sitting in their own tiers, and the system switches material according to the real-time cutting schedule. Mixed-material jobs that once required manual changeovers between machines can now run back to back without stopping the line.
The Software Brain: WMS and WCS Integration
At the center of the Herochu AS/RS sits a digital management layer that connects the physical machinery to the factory’s business systems. The WMS/WCS modules integrate with ERP and MES, synchronizing production planning with inventory control. Every plate is tracked in real time, with specification, batch number, location, and material usage recorded automatically, so stock counts stop depending on someone’s memory or a clipboard.
Task dispatching is automatic and visible. The system knows what material is available, where it is stored, and when it will be needed. This intelligence enables proactive material staging that eliminates the last-minute rush that characterizes manual material handling.
Modular and Customizable Design
The Herochu AS/RS is designed with modularity and customization at its core. Every fabrication facility has unique spatial constraints, production volumes, and material requirements, and a one-size-fits-all storage solution simply will not work. Herochu understands this, which is why the system is fully customizable to match specific warehouse dimensions, sheet sizes, and payload requirements.
Standard configurations support sheet dimensions up to 6000×2500mm with payload capacities ranging from 300kg to 3000kg. Storage layers range from 8 to 13, with each layer capable of bearing 3 to 5 tons depending on configuration. For manufacturers requiring larger capacities or different configurations, Herochu offers full customization to accommodate specific requirements.
Quality and Compliance Certification
The Herochu AS/RS is CE, EU, and ISO 9001 certified, ensuring adherence to international safety and quality standards. This certification provides manufacturers with the confidence that the system meets rigorous international requirements for safety, reliability, and performance.
24/7 Lights-Out Operation Capability
Perhaps the most transformative capability of the Herochu AS/RS is its support for 24/7 lights-out operation. A factory can load the system on Friday afternoon, and the laser can continue cutting through the weekend, effectively doubling production capacity without adding a single hour of labor cost.
This unattended operation capability is not merely a theoretical benefit—it is a practical reality that Herochu systems deliver every day in fabrication facilities around the world. By eliminating the human dependency that has historically constrained laser cutting productivity, the AS/RS enables manufacturers to achieve production levels that were previously unattainable.
Applications Across the Fabrication Industry
The Herochu Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems serve a wide range of fabrication applications where material availability is critical to production throughput. Metal fabrication centers benefit from the system’s ability to store large volumes of sheet material and deliver it to cutting machines on demand. High-volume job shops utilize the system’s automated retrieval capability to maintain continuous cutting operations. Heavy machinery producers rely on the system’s heavy-duty construction to handle oversized plates for automotive, aerospace, and shipbuilding applications.
By integrating Herochu Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems into the laser cutting workflow, manufacturers eliminate the material handling bottleneck that has constrained productivity for decades. The result is higher throughput, lower costs, and consistent quality—delivered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, without human intervention.
