Lakhotia Brothers has successfully demonstrated an innovative solution in robotic barcode tagging, setting a new benchmark in product traceability within the steel manufacturing sector. The live demonstration was carried out at one of JSPL’s leading Rail and Plate Mill facilities, capturing the attention of key industry stakeholders.

The primary goal of the trial was to showcase the feasibility and durability of barcode tagging on hot steel products — beams and plates — during active production. Using a custom-developed system, barcode-printed metal plates were spot-welded onto red-hot steel surfaces, allowing traceability from the moment of cutting through to the final dispatch stage.

At the Rail Mill, barcode tags were applied on freshly cut beams using a portable spot weld machine. These beams were then passed through subsequent stages such as cooling, straightening, and stacking — with each tagged beam maintaining perfect adhesion and scannability even after exposure to high heat and mechanical stress. Additional tags were applied for long-range traceability through to the dispatch zone, all of which performed flawlessly.

In the Plate Mill, the team tested the tags under more rugged conditions. After spot-welding the tags onto hot steel plates, a series of drop tests — including impact drops from significant heights and crane-assisted handling — confirmed the weld strength and tag durability. Even under such harsh conditions, the barcode tags remained intact and scannable.

The demonstration provided real-world proof that robotic barcode tagging can transform identification and tracking systems in steel production. The technology addresses key industry pain points like grade mix-ups, manual errors, and inefficient tracking across production lines.

With this successful showcase, Lakhotia Brothers has positioned itself as a leader in industrial automation for high-temperature environments. The company is now poised to scale this solution for full deployment across large-scale steel plants, offering a smarter, safer, and more accurate alternative to manual tagging.

This innovation not only brings traceability to the forefront of steel manufacturing but also underscores Lakhotia Brothers’ commitment to delivering intelligent, reliable solutions for modern industry challenges.