Raw tubing arrives at a fabrication facility in bundles, mill lengths, or loose pieces. It leaves as cut components, welded assemblies, or finished product. The storage system that holds the tubing between these two states determines how efficiently material moves, how much floor space the inventory consumes, and how often operators damage stock while retrieving it.
Herochu’s heavy-duty tubing storage rack is engineered for the raw material stage — the point where tubing is received, stored, and issued to production. The design prioritizes load capacity, accessibility, and protection of the tube surface and end finish.
Load Capacity for Raw Tubing Inventory
Raw tubing inventories are dense. A bundle of six-meter steel tube may weigh three to five tons depending on wall thickness and diameter. Herochu’s HC-G6053 model carries 3,000 kg per level across five standard layers. The HC-G9065 raises per-level capacity to 5,000 kg and extends storage length to 9,000 mm for operations handling longer mill lengths.
The dual-beam crossbar design distributes the load from each arm across two structural members rather than one. This reduces the bending moment at the column connection and extends the fatigue life of the joint under repeated loading cycles. For high-turnover raw tubing racks where bundles are loaded and unloaded multiple times per shift, this detail determines whether the rack lasts five years or fifteen.
Independent Compartments for Tube Size Separation
Raw tubing comes in mixed diameters and wall thicknesses. A bundle of 25 mm OD tube stored adjacent to 50 mm OD tube creates a height mismatch that invites migration. The smaller tube bundle shifts into the gap left by the larger bundle’s profile, mixing sizes and creating retrieval errors.
Herochu’s independent compartment design places a physical divider between each storage cell. A bundle deposited in compartment A-3 cannot migrate laterally. Each compartment has its own base tray — smooth formed steel that allows the bundle to slide during loading without catching on rough welds or structural protrusions.
For operations that store epoxy-coated or painted tubing, the smooth base tray is a functional requirement rather than a convenience. Surface damage during storage exposes the underlying steel to corrosion and creates a defect that must be repaired before the tube enters production.
Accessibility Without Aisle Penalty
Conventional racking for six-meter tubing requires a turning aisle wide enough for a forklift to approach perpendicular to the rack face. That aisle consumes floor space that could hold inventory.
Herochu’s dual-side mechanical assistance eliminates the turning aisle. The operator cranks the tier outward on guide rails. The bundle extends toward the aisle at a height and reach that aligns with standard forklift fork penetration. The forklift drives forward, inserts forks, lifts, and reverses. No turning within the rack aisle is required.
For overhead crane operations, the extended tier positions the bundle within the crane’s lifting envelope, allowing direct hook engagement without a forklift intermediary. This reduces handling steps and the associated risk of surface damage from multiple fork contacts.
Structural Frame and Finish
The main frame uses Q235B high-strength steel. Columns and base plates are bolted together, and arms attach via pin-lock mechanisms that prevent dislodgement under load. The electrostatic powder-coated finish provides corrosion resistance for indoor storage environments.
For raw tubing stored in open-sided warehouses or material yards, galvanized cantilever arms offer enhanced rust protection. The zinc coating continues protecting the steel even if the surface is scratched by incidental forklift contact — a condition that would compromise powder coating integrity.
Customization for Raw Material Workflow
Raw tubing storage racks are configured around the operation’s material flow. Parameters include:
- Storage length: 3,000 mm to 12,000+ mm, matching mill lengths or cut-to-length inventory.
- Load per level: 3,000 kg to 5,000 kg standard, customizable to 6 tons or more for heavy-wall tube.
- Layer count: Five layers standard, adjustable from four to six based on ceiling height and forklift lift capacity.
- Arm length: 550 mm to 800 mm, matching bundle depth without overhang.
- Operation: Manual crank for six-meter material, PLC frequency control for larger installations.
Quality Assurance
All Herochu racks undergo finite element stress analysis using Simsolid and Ansys methods. The analysis verifies strength under the actual load conditions of the specific configuration, not a generic rating. Products carry ISO9001 and CE certifications. On-site installation and online guidance are available for first-time installations.
Summary
Herochu’s heavy-duty tubing storage rack is built for the raw material stage of production, where density, accessibility, and surface protection matter most. Independent compartments prevent size mixing, dual-side assistance eliminates the aisle penalty, and the bolted frame allows the rack to be reconfigured or relocated as the operation changes. For any facility storing raw tubing in six-meter lengths, the system delivers the load capacity of cantilever racking with the retrieval speed of a purpose-built system.
