VerMet vertical cassette storage systems — compact, controlled, and safe metal stock management for manufacturing and engineering facilities.
The Problem Automated Storage Solves
At a typical manufacturing plant, storing metal stock occupies up to 80% of all available floor space — and a significant portion of that space is taken not by the metal itself, but by access aisles and maneuvering zones. Moving a sheet from the rack to a machine requires a crane, a rigger, and several minutes of waiting. Inventory tracking is done by hand — or not done at all.
The VerMet series of automated sheet metal storage systems, manufactured by NPF Techvagonmash, changes this entirely. Metal is stored in enclosed cassettes, cells are managed by a controller, and the required sheet is delivered to the operator within seconds — no crane, no waiting.
How It Works: Vertical Cassette Storage
Sheet metal is loaded into steel cassettes. Once loaded, each cassette is automatically moved to its assigned storage cell. When a retrieval request is made — by an operator command or an ERP signal — the system extracts the correct cassette and delivers it to the output table without any lifting equipment involved.
Key capabilities of the management system:
- precise inventory tracking linked to specific storage cells;
- automatic registration of stock-in and write-off operations via the warehouse controller;
- generation of warehouse reports and delivery documents;
- role-based access control with operator authentication;
- creation of a raw material buffer directly at the processing equipment.
Advantages Over Conventional Storage
| Parameter | Traditional Storage | VerMet Storage |
|---|---|---|
| Floor space used | Up to 80% of shop floor | Reduced by 60–70% |
| Metal delivery to production | 5–15 min (crane + rigger) | 30–60 seconds (automatic) |
| Inventory tracking | Manual / none | Automatic, online |
| Material condition | Risk of deformation, contamination | Protected inside cassette |
| Staff required per operation | 2–3 people | 1 operator |
Using an automated storage system allows you to:
- optimize in-plant logistics and simplify the production flow;
- reduce metal delivery time to production;
- automate inventory control;
- significantly reduce the storage footprint;
- decrease the number of operating personnel.
Technical Specifications — VerMet Series
| Parameter | VerMet 3000 | VerMet 4000 | VerMet 6000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cassette dimensions, mm | 3,200 × 1,600 | 4,200 × 1,600 | 6,200 × 2,100 |
| Unit footprint (L × W), mm | 4,870 × 3,780 | 4,870 × 4,780 | 5,370 × 6,780 |
| Max unit height, mm | 4,000 – 7,000 | 3,650 – 6,900 | 3,790 – 7,030 |
| Cassette load capacity, t | 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Traverser lift/lower speed, m/min | 18.4 | 18.4 | 18.4 |
| Cassette extraction speed, m/min | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Number of cassettes | 8 – 18 | 8 – 21 | 8 – 20 |
Options & Integrations
Storage Configuration
- Height and length adapted to your product range: sheets, tubes, beams, rebar.
- Modular design — the system can be expanded in the future without replacing the base structure.
- Configuration available for unit load storage in boxes and on pallets.
Handling & Retrieval Systems
- Automatic shuttles and stacker cranes.
- Conveyor lines and inter-operation transport for delivering metal to mechanical cutting, thermal cutting, punching, and bending stations.
- Direct integration with laser cutting machines: the system feeds sheet metal straight into the loading zone.
Automation & Management
- WMS (Warehouse Management System) for full warehouse control.
- ERP integration: 1C, SAP, and other platforms.
- Barcode scanners and RFID tags for automatic batch identification.
- Web interface and mobile application for remote online monitoring.
Safety
- Access control and video surveillance systems.
- Cassette overload sensors and tilt detection.
Operation & Service
- Suitable for heated and unheated facilities; cold-climate execution available.
- Built-in self-diagnostics and remote monitoring system.
- Spare parts supply.
- 24/7 service support.
- Operator training (included in equipment price).
- Warranty and post-warranty support.
Video of an automated warehouse in operation
Photo
Automated sheet metal storage
Capacity: 75 t
Max sheet size: 6,000 × 2,000 mm
Automated Sheet Metal Storage
Capacity: 70 t
Max sheet size: 6,000 × 2,000 mm
Storage system integrated with laser cutting
Capacity: 80 t
Max sheet size: 6,000 × 2,000 mm
Storage system with dual-side loading/unloading
Capacity: 80 t
Max sheet size: 6,000 × 2,000 mm
