In high-volume metal fabrication, every second of machine idle time directly reduces profit margins. The Auto Feeding and Discharging Manipulator from Herochu is designed to keep your press brakes, laser cutters, shears, and stamping presses running at full capacity. This manipulator automates both the feeding of raw materials and the discharging of finished parts, creating a continuous workflow that minimizes operator intervention and maximizes throughput.

Herochu’s auto feeding and discharging manipulator is available in five standard configurations (HC-R3015-500, -750, -1000 and HC-R4020-500, -750), supporting plate thicknesses from 8 mm to 20 mm and feeding widths up to 4000×2000 mm. With payload capacities ranging from 300 kg to 1000 kg, the system handles everything from light-gauge aluminum to heavy steel plates. The manipulator uses electric servo drive and modular vacuum suction cups (15 to 118 cups, 150–250 mm diameter) to ensure secure, damage-free material transport.

How Auto Feeding and Discharging Works

The term “auto feeding and discharging” describes a continuous loop rather than two separate actions. Herochu’s manipulator is programmed to:

1. Feed – Pick a raw plate from a defined source (stack, cart, or conveyor).

2. Position – Place the plate accurately onto the machine worktable, aligning to hard stops or optical sensors.

3. Process – While the machine operates (e.g., laser cutting or bending), the manipulator waits in a safe standby position or prepares the next plate.

4. Discharge – After processing, the manipulator removes the finished part(s) and any skeleton or scrap.

5. Repeat – The cycle begins again with the next raw plate.

This sequence is fully automatic. The operator simply ensures the raw material stack is replenished and finished part pallets are cleared. For multi-shift operations, the manipulator can run unattended during breaks or overnight, dramatically increasing spindle-on time for laser cutters and strokes-per-minute for presses.

High-Speed Precision with Servo Control

Speed is meaningless without accuracy. Herochu’s servo swing arm provides both. The servo motor delivers rapid traverse speeds while maintaining positioning repeatability within ±0.5 mm. This level of precision is essential for feeding plates into dies or fixtures with tight clearances. For example, when feeding a blank into a press brake with backgauge fingers, the manipulator must place the plate within a millimeter of the target. Herochu’s servo control achieves this consistently.

The arm’s acceleration and deceleration profiles are programmable. For delicate materials, operators can select a “soft” profile that minimizes jerk. For robust materials, a “fast” profile reduces cycle time. This flexibility allows the same manipulator to serve different machines and applications without mechanical changes.

Reducing Changeover Time in High-Mix Environments

While high-volume production benefits from dedicated automation, Herochu’s auto feeding and discharging manipulator also excels in high-mix environments. The modular suction cup beam can be swapped in minutes. Different beam sizes accommodate different plate dimensions. For instance, a job requiring 3000×1500 mm plates uses one beam configuration; a job with 4000×2000 mm plates uses another. The control system stores feeding/discharging recipes for each job, so changeover involves selecting a new program and, if needed, swapping the suction beam.

This capability is particularly valuable for laser cutting job shops that process dozens of different sheet sizes per week. Instead of having a dedicated operator standing at the laser to load and unload each sheet, a single Herochu manipulator handles all size changes automatically. The operator’s role shifts to nesting optimization and quality checks—higher-value activities.

Safety and Reliability Features

Herochu builds safety into every auto feeding and discharging manipulator. The emergency stop protection is redundant: pressing any E-stop halts servo power and engages the automatic brake. The automatic braking system is spring-applied and electrically released, meaning that in any power-loss scenario—including a disconnected cable or tripped breaker—the brake engages instantly. This prevents the arm and any loaded plate from falling.

For facilities with personnel working near the manipulator, optional safety peripherals include:

• Light curtains – Detect intrusion into the work envelope and stop motion.

• Area scanners – Create programmable safety zones (e.g., slow speed when operator approaches, stop if they enter inner zone).

• Floor mats – Pressure-sensitive stops when stepped on.

All Herochu manipulators are tested to meet CE, UKCA, and ISO 9001 standards, ensuring compliance for international sales.

Economic Benefits: Labor, Scrap, and Throughput

Quantifying the ROI of an auto feeding and discharging manipulator involves three primary factors:

Labor savings – A single manipulator typically replaces one full-time material handler per shift. For three-shift operations, that is three positions eliminated or redeployed. At typical manufacturing labor rates (including benefits and overhead), annual savings often exceed $60,000–$80,000 per manipulator.

Scrap reduction – Manual loading often misaligns plates, causing off-cut parts that must be scrapped. Human operators also drop plates or bump them against machine frames, causing edge dents. Herochu’s consistent, controlled placement reduces these errors by 80–90%. For high-cost materials (e.g., 316 stainless, Inconel, titanium), scrap savings alone can justify the investment within months.

Throughput increase – Machines fed and discharged automatically never wait for an operator. A laser cutter that previously ran 60% of the time (with operator breaks, delays, and manual handling) can run 85–90% of the time with a Herochu manipulator. This 25–30% throughput gain translates directly to revenue without adding machines or floor space.

Technical Specifications at a Glance

All models share minimum feeding width of 1250×1000 mm and electric power mode. The modular assembly structure allows easy disassembly for maintenance or reconfiguration.

Conclusion

Herochu’s auto feeding and discharging manipulator is a high-performance automation solution for metal fabricators seeking to maximize machine utilization, reduce labor dependency, and minimize material damage. With servo-driven precision, modular suction configurations, payloads up to 1000 kg, and comprehensive safety features, it transforms intermittent feeding and discharging into a continuous, efficient process. For press brakes, laser cutters, shears, and stamping presses, this manipulator delivers a rapid payback and lasting competitive advantage.