Fully-automated, laser-integrated vertical warehouse engineered to order from US$9,988
CE • UE • ISO 9001 certified
Every fabricator knows the hidden cost of sheet metal: floor space lost to block stacks, forklifts queuing for access, and operators hunting for the right plate while the laser sits idle. Herochu’s Auto-Rotating Sheet Metal Storage Tower—market-named the Sheet Tower—converts that chaos into a compact, intelligent production cell that stores, feeds, buffers, and retrieves plates up to 5 000 kg per shelf without human contact. One tower now does the job of a warehouse, two forklifts, and an extra shift.
Core Architecture – What You Get
- Three-Dimensional Storage Warehouse
A zinc-galvanized, 5-layer carrousel rotates on a heavy-duty slewing ring, presenting any shelf to the gantry in ≤12 s. Linear rails and zero-backlash chains guarantee ±1 mm repeatability after 1 million cycles. - Bilateral Gantry Truss
A 6-axis gantry straddles both the tower and the adjacent laser shuttle. Dual manipulators—loading on the left, unloading on the right—eliminate cross-traffic and cut idle time to <30 s between nests. - Loading & Unloading Truss Manipulators
Vacuum or magnetic end-effectors handle raw sheets, skeletons, and finished parts up to 6 000 × 2 500 mm. Quick-change cartridges allow swap-over in <60 s for mixed material runs. - Double-Layer Finished-Material Truck
A rail-guided cart collects finished kits on the lower deck and drops skeletons or scrap on the upper deck, keeping the laser table clear for the next cycle. - PLC & Touch-Screen Control
A Siemens S7-1500 PLC with 12-inch color HMI links to your ERP/MES. Bar-code or RFID tags on every plate enable full traceability; weight sensors verify stock after each retrieval. - Laser-Ready Interface
The tower is pre-wired for Trumpf, Bystronic, Amada and similar fiber lasers. Ethernet/IP handshake automatically queues the next sheet before the current cut is finished.
Key Performance Data
| Attribute | Standard Range | Custom Option |
|---|---|---|
| Load per shelf | 100–5 000 kg | 6 000 kg on request |
| Sheet sizes (mm) | 3015/4015/4020/6015/6020/6025 | up to 6 200 × 2 500 |
| Number of shelves | 5 (auto-rotating) | 3–12 on request |
| Loading modes | Forklift pockets + overhead crane lug | AGV interface |
| Discharge directions | Side & rear | Front discharge gate |
| Vertical lift speed | 9 m/min | Up to 15 m/min |
| Cycle time (store/retrieve) | ≤45 s | ≤30 s with servo upgrade |
| Surface treatment | Zinc galvanized | Epoxy powder coat |
Smart Features That Drive ROI
- Auto-Weight Detection
Four load cells under each shelf log net weight in real time, preventing crane overload and feeding live inventory to your ERP. - Dual-Warehouse Logic
One electric discharger can serve two Sheet Towers placed back-to-back, doubling capacity without doubling motors or aisle space. - Side & Rear Discharge
Position the unloading gate to match existing laser shuttle orientation—no civil work or conveyor rerouting required. - Energy Regeneration
Regenerative drives on the lift motor return up to 15 % of consumed power to the grid, cutting annual electricity cost. - Predictive Maintenance
Vibration sensors and cycle counters predict chain wear 500 hours before failure, eliminating unplanned downtime.
Customization Workflow
- Send CAD layout – floor plan, ceiling height, laser model.
- Select options – shelf count, load rating, manipulator type, paint color.
- Receive 3-D proposal – includes cycle-time simulation and ROI report within 48 h.
- Factory Acceptance Test – full-load run recorded on video; CE file delivered.
- On-site commissioning – worldwide service team; remote VPN support included.
Packaging & Logistics
- Selling Unit: Single tower system
- Single Package Size: 1 000 × 2 000 × 3 000 mm (knock-down frame)
- Single Gross Weight: 2 000 kg (excluding foundation bolts)
- Lead Time: 30–35 working days after drawing approval
- Warranty: 24 months on structure, 12 months on drives & PLC
Typical ROI Case
| Metric | Pre-Tower | With Sheet Tower |
|---|---|---|
| Floor space used | 200 m² | 28 m² |
| Sheet retrieval time | 12 min avg. | 45 s |
| Operators per shift | 2 + 1 forklift | 1 crane or AGV |
| Material mix-ups | 3–4 per month | 0 (ERP-linked) |
| Payback period | — | 11–14 months |
Stop letting sheet logistics choke your laser investment. One Herochu Auto-Rotating Sheet Metal Storage Tower—priced from US$9,988—delivers the density of a warehouse, the speed of robotics, and the traceability of Industry 4.0 in a single, zinc-galvanized footprint.
Contact Herochu now for a free 3-D layout and cycle-time simulation, and join the growing list of fabricators who have cut handling costs by up to 40 % within the first year.
