In the KASTOcenter sawing centers, storage, saws, and material flow interact seamlessly. Numerous applications demonstrate that these systems can efficiently and with minimal personnel handle complex orders with small batch sizes and many processing steps. KASTO has now re-dimensioned this concept: space-saving, cost-effective, and fully automated. The KASTOcenter compact is modular and brings automated process steps into a compact system: with shorter distances, reduced manual handling, and a design that is particularly interesting for companies with limited space and variable parts spectrum. Users can thus provide material precisely and reduce transportation within production. 'We have designed the sawing center so that companies can choose the appropriate level of expansion for their needs – depending on factors such as material spectrum or saw output,' explains Jonathan Riegel, a member of the management board at KASTO.
Modular concept connects storage, robotics, and sawing
The system consists of several coordinated components: Vertical automatic storage systems like KASTOecostore and UNITOWER store long materials space-saving and prepare them for the sawing process. The robotic solution KASTOpick separates the material, while KASTOload connects storage, robots, and saws via a roller conveyor.
Depending on the requirements, different saws are available: from band saws like the compact all-rounder KASTOssb or the powerful KASTOtec to circular saws like the flexible KASTOvariospeed. The selection is based on factors such as material, diameter, cycle rate, and type of production.
For the linear movement of the robot, a linear axis is used. As the seventh robot axis, it extends the working area and allows precise movement between multiple process stations. Thanks to proven rack and pinion and guide technology, the linear axis maintains high dynamics, precision, and reliability even in demanding industrial continuous operation. This reduces space and investment needs, minimizes unproductive downtime, and supports economical full automation with low space requirements.
Robot handling KASTOsort complements saws in removal and automated processing
With KASTOsort, automation does not stop at the saw cut. The robot takes over the cut pieces directly at the saw, sorts and compiles them according to the order. Subsequently, the parts can be stored back in the tower, provided on pallets, in boxes, or in a pallet carousel, or transferred to a separate tower storage for finished parts.
Moreover, additional process steps can be integrated automatically. With the KASTOsort processing options Sorting, Processing, Marking, Quality Control, and Vision Options, various function packages are available. Depending on the requirements, workpieces can be deburred, cleaned, freed from chips, marked, or directly checked for length and weight in the material flow. Camera-based functions for part, position, and location recognition, as well as handover to downstream processing machines, are also possible.
KASTOsort connects sawing, processing, quality assurance, and sorting. The workpieces remain in the automated material flow instead of being removed, transported, and re-provided for individual work steps. This reduces non-productive times, manual interventions, and sources of error, relieving skilled workers. Existing systems can also be supplemented with KASTOsort functions after technical examination.
'The topic of processing is gaining significant importance in our customer projects. Many end customers today expect not just the pure cutting, but already deburred, cleaned, marked, or inspected parts,' explains Jonathan Riegel. 'Since these activities occur regularly, the investment can amortize relatively quickly.'
Conclusion: Scalable for various application scenarios
The KASTOcenter compact combines automated material provision with sawing, parts removal, and further processing steps. This reduces manual interventions as well as search and transport processes. The warehouse management also creates transparency over stocks and material movements. 'With the KASTOcenter compact, we have realized an automated sawing center from tower storage to processing on a limited area,' says Jonathan Riegel. 'The crucial point is that the system is not only compact but can also be configured for different items, quantities, and process steps.'
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