This document describes the design of a fixed automation system for loading billets into a furnace in a forging industry. The system uses a step feeder conveyor to gradually move billets from a hopper into the furnace over 6 steps in order to maintain the thermal cycle time of 6-7 seconds. The step feeder is designed to handle 1000 billets per loading over continuous operation. Materials and components were selected to withstand the continuous high load operation, including a motor sized to provide 407 N-m of torque. Implementation of the automated billet loading system improved productivity and cycle time consistency compared to the previous manual system while eliminating safety risks and inefficiencies of human labor.