Gripping Method for Roll Formed Steel (Pick-Tilt-Place)

I agree that vacuum technology is likely to be a good choice, with electromagnets being another possibility. Either would need to be oriented so as to grip a wide enough surface of your profile, and then to position it as desired.

Schmalz has some really cool vacuum heads. One head I have in mind has hundreds of orifices with tiny check valves. When you put the head against the target if no material is available to pull a vacuum against it closes that orifices check valve to give the rest the full vacuum potential. This makes a perfect solution for picking up sheets of steel with holes/cutouts/irregular shapes etc. They claim that they can pick up and position nearly any object with their variety of gripper heads. They can also supply robotic arms, fixtures etc.

No I don't work for Schmalz, or suggest they are the only company that can do the job, but I have worked with their equipment and personnel for some projects, and have found it to be an excellent company to work with and they offer a great product line.