Metal plate storage has long been a bottleneck for fabrication shops and manufacturing lines. Traditional ground stacking consumes valuable floor space, exposes materials to damage, and slows down retrieval. Herochu introduces the Metal Plate Storage Tower, a vertical high-density solution engineered for automatic weight detection, PLC-controlled storage and retrieval, and dual loading modes. This system transforms chaotic plate yards into organized, safe, and fast-responding storage assets.
Intelligent Automation for Raw Material Management
Herochu Metal Plate Storage Tower operates on a PLC + touch screen control platform. Operators interact with a user-friendly interface to command automatic inbound and outbound cycles. When a forklift or overhead crane places a metal plate onto the inlet station, the system automatically detects weight, verifies dimensions, and assigns a storage location. No manual registration or barcode scanning is required. The controller logs every transaction, making inventory traceable in real time.
The tower uses linear guide rails and chain transmission for horizontal movement, while a vertical lift powered by chain drive runs at 9 m/min. Inlet and outlet speed reaches 12 m/min. Each layer can bear 3 tons or 5 tons depending on configuration, with total number of floors ranging from 8 to 13. This combination of speed and capacity suits medium-to-heavy plate processing environments.
Two Loading Modes for Unmatched Flexibility
Herochu understands that workshop layouts vary. Some facilities rely on forklifts; others use overhead cranes for material handling. The Metal Plate Storage Tower accepts both. The same inlet station accommodates fork pockets and lifting slings. This dual-mode design eliminates the need for additional conveyors or dedicated loading equipment. For shops upgrading from manual storage, the transition is seamless. Operators continue using existing material handling assets while gaining automated storage benefits.
Safety and Structural Integrity
High-strength steel forms the main frame. Limit switches and mechanical stops prevent over-travel. The PLC monitors motor currents and position encoders to halt movement immediately if resistance exceeds normal range. Automatic weight detection also acts as a safety check – plates exceeding the layer’s rated load trigger an alarm and prevent storage. The tower’s footprint remains small relative to its storage volume. A typical 4015 model (4000 mm x 1500 mm plate size) with 10 layers occupies under 20 square meters yet stores 30 to 50 tons of sheet metal.
Operational Gains in Real-World Settings
A metal service center processing 500 tons per month reduced plate retrieval time from 25 minutes to under 2 minutes after installing Herochu Metal Plate Storage Tower. The touch screen shows every stored plate’s weight, position, and material grade. The system can prioritize first-in-first-out or first-in-last-out based on user preference. For laser cutting feeders, the tower automatically delivers plates to the outlet station at scheduled intervals, synchronizing with downstream equipment.
Technical Specifications Recap
| Parameter | Range |
|---|---|
| Plate dimensions | 3015 / 4015 / 4020 / 6015 / 6020 / 6025 mm |
| Number of floors | 8 – 13 |
| Load per layer | 3T or 5T |
| Movement mode | Linear guide rail + chain |
| Transmission | Chain drive |
| Vertical lift speed | 9 m/min |
| Inlet/outlet speed | 12 m/min |
| Plate support | Optional selection |
Why Herochu for Metal Plate Storage Tower
Herochu designs each tower to match customer plate sizes, weight requirements, and ceiling height. Optional plate supports include V-shaped cradles for thick plates or roller beds for thin gauges. The tower connects to ERP and MES systems via standard industrial protocols, enabling automated material requisition. With over 300 installations worldwide, Herochu has refined every component – from the chain tensioner to the touch screen logic – for 24/7 operation in dusty, high-traffic workshops.
Investing in a Herochu Metal Plate Storage Tower reduces labor costs, protects plate surfaces from scratching, and frees floor space for production equipment. Contact Herochu for a layout analysis and see how a tower tailored to your plate inventory can pay back within 18 months.
