Aluminum extrusions present storage challenges distinct from steel. The material is lighter but softer, more vulnerable to surface gouging and bending. A six-meter aluminum profile that sags between support points may pass visual inspection but fail dimensional tolerance at the fabrication station. Herochu engineers its pipe racks and storage systems for aluminum profiles with arm spacing calculated to prevent deflection, and surface treatments that protect the extrusion’s finish throughout its storage life.
The Deflection Problem in Aluminum Storage
Aluminum’s modulus of elasticity is roughly one-third that of steel. A six-meter extrusion that would remain flat on steel arms may sag visibly on the same support spacing. This sag induces internal stress in the profile and, if the material cools or ages while deflected, can cause permanent set.
Herochu addresses this through two design parameters. First, column spacing is set based on the specific profile’s cross-section and alloy. Lighter profiles receive closer arm spacing to reduce unsupported span. Second, the cantilever arms are leveled to within tight tolerance, so the material rests flat rather than rocking on high points.
The HC-G6053 model supports 6,000 mm aluminum profiles across five tiers, with 3,000 kg capacity per level. For lighter extrusion runs, the same frame can be configured with additional layers, since the reduced per-layer weight allows more vertical density without exceeding column capacity.
Surface Protection for Extrusion Finish
Anodized, painted, or mill-finish aluminum profiles require protection from the rack itself. Steel-on-aluminum contact creates galvanic corrosion in the presence of moisture, and the harder steel surface scratches the softer aluminum during loading.
Herochu offers rubber or plastic sleeves that fit over the cantilever arms, creating a barrier between the storage structure and the stored material. The base trays in each compartment are formed from smooth steel sheet, avoiding the rough surfaces that can abrade extrusion ends during forklift placement.
For outdoor or partially exposed storage, the rack itself is available in galvanized steel, eliminating the rust that would otherwise stain aluminum profiles stored beneath dripping structural members.
Cantilever Adjustability for Mixed Profile Inventory
An aluminum distributor rarely stores a single profile type. Window frames, structural angles, heat sinks, and custom extrusions may all occupy the same rack row. These profiles vary in width, height, and bundle depth.
Herochu’s cantilever arms adjust vertically every 75 mm along the column, allowing tier heights to be reconfigured as inventory changes. Arm length extends from 550 mm to 800 mm, accommodating both shallow window frame bundles and deeper architectural profile stacks. The clear space between tiers is customizable, with 600 mm as the standard for aluminum profile storage.
This flexibility means a rack purchased for one product line can be reconfigured without structural modification when the operation adds a new extrusion series.
Dual-Side Mechanical Assistance
Aluminum profile retrieval by forklift risks surface damage at the point where the fork contacts the bundle. Herochu’s dual-side mechanical assistance addresses this by presenting the material before the forklift engages it.
The operator cranks the tier outward. The profile bundle extends into the aisle, supported across the full arm length. The forklift approaches from either side, inserts forks under the bundle with minimal contact pressure, and lifts. The crank mechanism retracts the empty tier once retrieval is complete.
For soft alloy profiles, this reduction in fork-to-material contact preserves the surface finish and reduces the touch-up work required before the profile enters fabrication.
Structural Verification
Aluminum storage racks face a different load profile than steel racks. The stored material is lighter, but the rack may be configured with more layers to compensate, and the dynamic loads from forklift travel and crane operation remain. Herochu validates each configuration through finite element stress analysis using Simsolid and Ansys software. The analysis confirms that the structure meets the actual load conditions of the customer’s operation, not simply a generic capacity rating.
Customization Options
Storage length extends from 3,000 mm to 12,000 mm and beyond. Layer count is customized to the ceiling height and the profile dimensions. Load capacity per compartment ranges from 1,000 kg to 10,000 kg. The operation system can be manual crank, as standard for 6-meter material, or PLC frequency control for larger installations.
Colors are customizable, allowing facilities to designate storage zones by rack color — a simple visual management technique that reduces retrieval errors in mixed-inventory warehouses.
Summary
Herochu’s aluminum profile storage systems treat the material’s mechanical properties as design inputs, not afterthoughts. Arm spacing prevents deflection, arm surfaces protect finish, and the compartmentalized layout keeps different profile series separate. For any operation storing six-meter aluminum extrusions, the system provides the density of cantilever storage without the surface damage of generic racking.
