Automatic Storage Rack for Sheet Metal Fabrication

Sheet metal fabrication encompasses more than laser cutting alone. Punching, shearing, bending, rolling, and welding operations all require organized access to raw sheet stock, yet many fabrication facilities maintain separate inventory systems for each department, leading to duplication, misallocation, and inefficiency. Herochu has developed its Automatic Storage Rack for Sheet Metal Fabrication as a unified solution that serves the entire fabrication workflow, from initial blanking through final forming operations.

The Herochu automatic storage rack builds upon single-tower architecture but extends its functionality through enhanced configurability and peripheral integration options. Model variants include the 3015, 4015, 4020, 6015, 6020, and 6025 specifications, each designating the maximum sheet dimensions in millimeters—3000x1500mm, 4000x1500mm, 4000x2000mm, 6000x1500mm, 6000x2000mm, and 6000x2500mm respectively. This range covers the vast majority of sheet metal fabrication formats, from standard 5×10 foot plates to oversized blanks for heavy equipment manufacturing.

Number of floors within the automatic storage rack is fully customizable, reflecting the reality that different fabrication shops have different ceiling heights and different inventory turnover requirements. A facility with 8-meter clear height might configure nine or ten layers, while a facility with limited vertical space might choose four or five layers with increased clear spacing between shelves. Herochu engineers work with each customer to determine the optimal layer count based on three factors: available building height, typical sheet thickness, and required inventory capacity. The maximum layer count of ten in the HC-A6020-105 model demonstrates the system’s ability to scale vertically when conditions permit.

Load capacity per layer defaults to either 3 metric tons or 5 metric tons depending on the model selection. The 3T configuration suits fabrication shops processing primarily light-gauge materials such as automotive body panels, HVAC ductwork, and appliance components. The 5T configuration serves heavy fabrication applications including shipyard plates, bridge girder components, and mining equipment parts. Importantly, the load rating applies per layer, meaning a five-layer 5T rack can hold up to 25 metric tons of sheet metal distributed across its shelves—a density that would require hundreds of square meters of floor space in a conventional flat storage arrangement.

Movement within the automatic storage rack relies on a linear guide rail and chain drive combination. Linear guide rails provide the precise tracking necessary for consistent sheet alignment, while chain drive delivers the pulling force required for heavy loads. This combination is particularly well-suited to sheet metal fabrication environments, where dust, metal fines, and vibration are constant factors. Chains tolerate contamination better than ball screws or belt drives, and linear guides with protective covers resist ingress of abrasive particles that would accelerate wear in other bearing systems.

Transmission mode is chain drive throughout the Herochu product line, a deliberate engineering choice based on reliability and serviceability. Chain drives provide positive engagement without slip, maintain tension over long service intervals, and allow straightforward replacement when wear eventually occurs. Vertical lifting speed is standardized at 9 meters per minute, while inlet and outlet speed operates at 12 meters per minute. These speeds represent a slight increase over the general-purpose configurations, reflecting the automatic storage rack’s optimization for fabrication environments where throughput is prioritized.

The plate support system offers optional selection, allowing fabrication shops to match the storage surface to their material characteristics. Roller supports suit heavy plates that can be moved without surface damage concerns. Brush supports protect pre-coated or polished sheets from scratches during insertion and extraction. Felt-lined supports provide the highest level of surface protection for decorative finishes, etched materials, or painted sheets. Herochu also offers a hybrid configuration with mixed support types within the same rack—roller supports on lower layers for heavy mill plate, brush supports on middle layers for standard cold-rolled sheet, and felt supports on upper layers for finished or coated materials awaiting final assembly.

Number of storage units is fully customizable, which translates to the total number of discrete sheet stacks the rack can accommodate. A fabrication shop that processes many different material grades, thicknesses, and surface finishes will benefit from a higher unit count, even if each unit holds fewer individual sheets. Conversely, a shop that runs long production campaigns of a single material specification might prefer fewer units with higher per-unit capacity. The Herochu engineering team conducts a material usage analysis before finalizing the unit configuration, ensuring the rack’s organization matches the shop’s actual inventory profile.

Integration capabilities distinguish the Herochu automatic storage rack from simpler vertical carousels. The system communicates directly with ERP and WMS platforms, providing real-time inventory visibility across the fabrication facility. When a shearing operation consumes twenty sheets of 10-gauge mild steel, the rack’s control system updates the ERP record automatically. When the bending department requires fifteen sheets of 16-gauge stainless steel, the rack stages those sheets at the retrieval position before the operator even walks to the storage area. This bidirectional data flow eliminates manual inventory tracking and the errors that accompany it.

For fabrication facilities that operate multiple processing departments, the Herochu automatic storage rack can be equipped with multiple access points. One access point serves the laser cutting department, another serves the punching department, and a third serves the shearing line. Each department retrieves and returns sheets independently, yet the rack maintains a single, consistent inventory database. This multi-access capability prevents the common problem of departments maintaining hidden safety stock that inflates total inventory levels and ties up working capital.

Peripheral devices that work with the Herochu automatic storage rack include manipulators, overhead cranes, stacker cranes, forklifts, and automated guided vehicles. The rack presents sheets at a standardized pick height, allowing any of these devices to engage the material without additional repositioning. For facilities transitioning from manual to automated material handling, this peripheral compatibility means the rack can be implemented immediately with existing forklifts and cranes, with AGVs added later as the automation roadmap progresses.

Safety and ergonomic benefits accompany the productivity gains. Sheet metal is heavy, awkward, and sharp—three characteristics that make manual handling a leading cause of workplace injuries. The Herochu automatic storage rack eliminates manual lifting, carrying, and stacking of sheet materials. Operators interact with the system through a control panel or mobile device, selecting required materials without physical contact. The rack delivers sheets to a safe retrieval zone where mechanical aids or automated devices take over. For fabrication shops focused on improving safety metrics and reducing workers’ compensation claims, the automatic storage rack delivers measurable returns beyond operational efficiency.