How a Belgian stainless steel specialist reinvented its production
From space hog to high-performance centre: Belgian contract manufacturer Alinco has saved storage space and taken material supply to a whole new level with a clever automation solution from Remmert. The result? Faster speeds, more formats, a greater selection of materials, and full traceability.
New sheets are stored and cut sheets are retrieved from the storage system on demand via a single station. The sheet metal storage system is optimized for 3015 and 4020 sheets.
In 2023, Alinco moved into its new location with over 10,000 m² of production space in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium. From here, customers in the food and pharmaceutical industries and mechanical engineering, among others, are supplied.
In the metalworking industry, efficiency is about more than just speed. This is particularly true for technically complex sheet metal processing. Storage capabilities and flexibility in terms of formats and surfaces are also of great importance. This is why Alinco, a Belgian specialist in stainless steel and high-quality custom-made products, chose an innovative automation solution from Remmert for its new site in Sint-Niklaas. “We are not a series production company. Our core business consists mainly of project-related work involving large and complex parts for clients in sectors such as the pharmaceutical industry, mechanical engineering and general industry," says Karine De Bie, Alinco's Managing Director. “Our company has grown significantly over the years and moved to a brand-new 10,000-square-metre location in 2023. This was the ideal time to redesign our logistics processes.
Fine-mesh warehouse management
Alinco works with a wide range of stainless steel grades, from RVS304 to RVS321 and from bright to double-torn in various formats. While steel is relatively uniform, stainless steel requires much finer warehouse management. De Bie explains, 'We needed much more storage capacity without being tied to classic pallet racks and forklifts. It had to be safer, more ergonomic and smarter. Together with Remmert, we developed a customised solution: a sheet metal warehouse with over 800 storage locations for both 3015 and 4020 formats, offering space for more than 3,200 tonnes of sheet metal." 'Thanks to the system, we save 30 per cent of floor space compared to a traditional warehouse,' explains De Bie. 'What's more, the warehouse has a modular design. Additional cassettes and towers have already been added.'
From storage to automated cutting
What really sets this solution apart is its connection to two LVD lasers via Remmert's LaserFLEX automation system. One machine processes sheets up to 3015 mm, and the other processes sheets up to 6020 mm. “In the past, our employees had to fetch and store the sheets manually,” De Bie continues. “Now this is done fully automatically. Thanks to the automated system, the speed of our lasers has become less important; the bottleneck is now the material supply, not the cutting. Thanks to Remmert, the material supply is always at the same level. This means that we can achieve the work output of two or three teams in one shift.' The combination of automatic loading and quick-change stations also enables flexible production. Custom work is carried out during the day, while standard orders are processed independently in the evening. The system selects the correct sheet from the correct compartment automatically.
Less waste, better nesting and greater traceability
The advantages of the system extend beyond speed and ergonomics. Nesting, the optimisation of cutting patterns, has also improved significantly. There is less leftover material, and what there is can simply be returned to the sheet metal warehouse. The WMS knows exactly where the sheets are located. 'We also work with complete traceability down to the alloy number, according to the "full traceability" principle. This requires a sophisticated storage system. Even the residual plates are automatically filed away to save time. We also have fewer problems with scratches and damage; even with manual interventions, everything remains clear.'
Alinco is satisfied with its decision to opt for an automated solution. “If a malfunction does occur, Remmert often helps us within a few hours via remote maintenance. It was an investment, but not without results. We spent a long time critically evaluating potential partners. Remmert impressed us with its reputation and its commitment to thinking things through properly. Thanks to them, we are well equipped for the future of sheet metal processing,” says De Bie.
