Sustained success with material handling in the plate-cutting industry

By Staff Report May 9, 2025 5:16 pm IST

The plate-cutting and sheet metal fabrication industry faces difficulties with effectively storing and handling materials. Traditional manual practices often lead to inefficiencies, safety risks, material damage, poor space utilisation, and higher operational costs. Messer Cutting offers a solution with advanced handling systems that improve efficiency and safety, protect material quality, and cut costs.

The main concern in the fabrication industry is storing and handling materials. Traditional storage and handling practices can negatively impact the industry by causing operational inefficiencies, safety hazards, product quality issues, space utilisation problems, and increased costs.

Manual material handling is frequently hindered by human limitations, resulting in slower processes, elevated risks and ultimately reduced.

Improper handling can result in the loss of traceability of materials, leading to project delays and surface damages like scratches, dents, or warping.

Material handling challenges within the manufacturing sector can impact efficiency and productivity.

Solution:

Proper material storage and handling in the sheet metal and plate-cutting industry reduces the challenges by:

–       Materials are moved, stored and controlled effectively. This reduces downtime and enhances productivity.

–       Significant reduction in workplace accidents and maintaining a safe working environment.

–       Proper handling helps maintain the integrity and quality of the products.

–       Optimise the use of available space

–       Easier access to materials, reducing clutter and improving workflow.

–       Reduce the cost associated with material damage and rework.

–       Minimise workplace accidents.

–       Help maintain a balance in inventory, which is crucial for streamlined production.

A well-thought-out plan for layout minimises these dead spaces, optimises the storage area and enhances overall efficiency.

While initial costs are associated with material handling equipment, it is a critical investment for efficient material handling. Smart investment in the latest material handling machines saves money in the long run and improves efficiency. Machinery operates faster than manual labour, and newer equipment tends to be more energy-efficient, reducing expensive fuel costs.

Maintaining a uniform processing speed throughout all systems and processes is essential for the efficient and stress-free handling of goods and materials.

Maximising vertical space with racks and shelving systems provides optimal storage solutions, overcoming space constraints.

Real-time tracking provides real-time visibility into inventory levels, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. Efficient tracking helps prevent stockouts and overstocking, optimising inventory levels for smooth production.

Navigating the common challenges in the material handling industry requires a strategic and proactive approach.

As a company committed to providing solutions, Messer’s cutting systems offer comprehensive solutions for most of the plate and sheet metal cutting industry.

Messer offerings include

–       Vertical storage

–       Material movement by use of vacuum loader and unloaders

–       Cut parts picking

–       Customised material feeding systems

Messer’s storage systems can be coupled with the handling systems to store and feed plates to the cutting machines without manual labour.

Messer offers systems for handling large plates up to 7.5 m in length. These systems can be coupled with multiple machines and configured limitlessly to adapt customer functions. They also have compact systems for single-machine applications for fast and easy material loading and unloading.

Messer also offers cut-parts picking and sorting systems. They help optimise cutting solutions, implement automation, enhance safety protocols, and digitise processes to increase productivity and streamline production.