Multi-Level Flat Sheet Storage Rack (5 Ton, 6–7 Layers)

High-Capacity Vertical Storage for Heavy Plate Stock

Fabrication shops handling thick steel plate—10 mm, 20 mm, or thicker—face a storage challenge that standard sheet racks cannot solve. A single 4000×2000mm steel plate at 20 mm thickness weighs over 1,250 kg. Six such plates per tier means a load of 7,500 kg per level, far exceeding the 3-ton capacity of light-duty racks. Herochu’s multi-level flat sheet storage rack addresses this with a 5-ton per-level capacity and configurable 6 to 7 layer architecture, built for heavy plate stock in industrial-scale operations.

Models Built for Heavy Plate

Two Herochu models are designed for the 5-ton per-level specification:

The HC-B4020-65 handles 4 × 2 m plates—the standard size for many laser cutting and plasma cutting shops. The HC-B6020-65 accommodates 6 × 2 m plates, the largest in the Herochu drawer rack lineup, suitable for shipbuilding, heavy machinery fabrication, and structural steel shops.

Structural Engineering: Q235B Steel and Dual-Beam Design

Supporting 5,000 kg per level across 6 tiers means the rack frame carries up to 30,000 kg of steel plate in a compact footprint. The structural integrity of this load depends on two engineering decisions:

Q235B high-strength steel: The main frame is fabricated from Q235B structural steel with a minimum yield strength of 235 MPa. This grade is specified in GB/T 700 for structural applications where load-bearing capacity and weldability are both required. For a multi-level rack supporting 30 metric tons, Q235B provides the strength-to-weight ratio needed to keep the frame manageable while maintaining rigidity.

Dual-beam design: Each tier uses two horizontal beams rather than one. The plate load distributes across both beams, reducing the bending moment on each individual beam by approximately 50%. This design choice directly addresses beam deflection—the primary failure mode in single-beam racks under heavy load. With dual beams, the deflection under full 5-ton load remains within engineering tolerances, and the rack maintains its dimensional accuracy over years of daily use.

Layer Configuration: 6 to 7 Tiers

The standard configuration provides 6 layers. For workshops with sufficient ceiling height, Herochu extends the rack to 7 layers, increasing storage capacity by 17% within the same floor footprint.

Clear space between layers—the vertical distance from one drawer surface to the frame member above—is set at 120 mm in the standard configuration. This clearance accommodates plates up to approximately 15 mm thick with room for the drawer mechanism. For shops storing thicker plates or stacked sheet bundles, Herochu increases the clear space per tier. The trade-off is straightforward: more clearance per tier means fewer tiers within a given height, but each tier stores thicker or bundled material.

Material Handling for Heavy Plate

A 5-ton load per tier rules out manual handling. The rack is engineered for mechanical material discharge:

• Overhead cranes: The primary method for heavy plate. Crane hooks or plate clamps lift sheets directly from the extended drawer.
• Vacuum suction systems: For surface-sensitive plates such as stainless steel and aluminum, vacuum cups lift without marking the sheet surface.
• Forklifts with sheet clamps: Forklift-mounted clamps handle plates in shops without overhead crane coverage.

The 100% fully open drawer design positions the entire sheet outside the rack frame when extended. This gives crane operators full access to the sheet without reaching into the rack structure, reducing the risk of collision between the lifting device and the rack frame.

Material Protection at Scale

Heavy plate stock represents significant capital. A 6 × 2 m stainless steel plate at 10 mm thickness costs hundreds of dollars per sheet. Ground stacking of such material produces 3–5% damage from edge contact, surface scratching, and deformation from uneven support.

Herochu drawer racks isolate each plate on its own tier surface. Sheets do not rest on other sheets. The drawer surface provides even support across the full plate dimension, preventing the edge deformation that occurs when plates are stacked on uneven dunnage. The result is a near-zero damage rate for stored material.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum load per level in the Herochu multi-level rack? The HC-B4020-65 and HC-B6020-65 models support 5,000 kg (5 tons) per level. The smaller HC-B3015-63 model supports 3,000 kg per level.

How many layers can the rack have? The standard configuration is 6 layers. Herochu can manufacture racks with 7 layers for workshops with adequate ceiling height. Layer count is customizable based on storage requirements and building clearance.

What plate sizes do the 5-ton models accommodate? The HC-B4020-65 stores 4000×2000 mm plates. The HC-B6020-65 stores 6000×2000 mm plates. Both models carry 5,000 kg per level.

What steel grade is used in the rack frame? The main frame is constructed from Q235B high-strength steel with a dual-beam design per tier. Q235B has a minimum yield strength of 235 MPa and is specified for structural load-bearing applications.

How does the rack prevent plate damage? Each plate is stored on its own drawer tier with even support across the full plate surface. Plates do not contact each other, eliminating the scratching and deformation that occurs with ground stacking.

Summary

Herochu’s multi-level flat sheet storage rack delivers 5-ton per-level capacity across 6 to 7 configurable layers, built on a Q235B dual-beam steel frame. The HC-B4020-65 and HC-B6020-65 models handle 4000×2000mm and 6000×2000mm plates respectively, with mechanical material discharge via cranes, forklifts, and vacuum systems. For heavy plate fabrication operations, this rack system provides the load capacity and structural rigidity that standard sheet storage cannot achieve.