The Kasto plate handler consists of a drum that rotates through 90deg and a support table that can be raised and lowered

German sawing equipment and industrial warehouse manufacturer Kasto has added a new solution to its range of equipment for stockholders of sheet metal and for factories that process it.

The new plate handler allows safe unpacking and storage of sheet stacks, significantly reducing the amount of manual handling required, which is especially beneficial for heavy plates. The system not only saves time but also helps to prevent accidents and injuries.

Availability in the UK and Ireland is through the company's Milton Keynes subsidiary Kasto Ltd.

The Kasto plate handler consists of a drum-shaped turning device and a support table that can be raised and lowered. A stack of sheet metal to be stored is placed for stability in the centre of the table by a forklift before it is unpacked.

The user first removes the straps, packaging and edge protectors from the top, then advances the stack into the drum, which rotates through 180deg. The table rises to its upper position to retrieve the stack in its inverted orientation and lowers to allow easy removal of the remaining packaging and the wooden pallet.

Telescopic forksAfter all packaging has been removed, vertical and horizontal guides align the plates exactly on the table according to the user’s requirements, either centred or at one corner. Telescopic forks convey the plates to a waiting cart and then onto a storage pallet.

In this way, automated handling is achieved without any heavy lifting or carrying. The result is greater efficiency and better workplace ergonomics, while accidents and injuries are avoided.

The device is suitable for sheet metal stacks weighing up to 5 tonnes in small, medium and large formats up to 2,000 x 4,000mm. It offers sheet metal distributors and processors an economical means of automating the laborious process of unpacking and storing material.

The system can also handle corrugated sheets and set them down on either side as needed. In addition, it can seamlessly connect to all Kasto sheet metal storage systems, ensuring consistent, efficient and ergonomic material flow.