Well, considering your backround in process automation...
why not build a scale model of a material handling system and integrate your PLC that way? One task that I was subjected to when I worked with Aluminum, is designing a material handling system for aluminum tubing, without damaging the tubing surface. The "damage tolerance" was around 4 thousands of an inch. :shock: The tubing needed to be transferred both perpendicularly for one process, then in a parallel fasion for the next process, and then on to storage, or holding.