Drawer Type Roll Sheet Metal Rack for Steel Aluminum: Herochu’s High-Density Storage Solution

Sheet metal shops that handle both steel and aluminum face a unique challenge: different alloys must be stored separately to avoid galvanic corrosion, yet both require easy access for cutting and forming. The most effective solution is a drawer type roll sheet metal rack for steel aluminum. This design combines the smooth extension of drawer slides with the heavy load capacity of industrial rollers, creating pull-out trays that bring every sheet to you. Herochu has perfected this rack type, offering customizable drawer configurations that keep steel and aluminum segregated, protected, and instantly retrievable. Whether you store 1 mm thick aluminum coils or 6 mm thick steel plates, a drawer-type roll rack transforms your material management.

What Is a Drawer Type Roll Sheet Metal Rack?

Unlike traditional shelving where sheets are stacked on fixed platforms, a drawer type roll sheet metal rack for steel aluminum features individual trays (drawers) that roll out horizontally. Each drawer is a welded steel frame with a flat deck. Heavy-duty rollers attached to the drawer sides travel on tracks fixed to the rack columns. When you pull the drawer handle, the entire tray – along with its load of sheet metal – slides forward until it clears the rack frame. At full extension, the top of the drawer is completely unobstructed from above, allowing an overhead crane, vacuum lifter, or magnetic lifter to pick any sheet. For lighter sheets, operators can manually remove sheets from the drawer. The “roll” in the name refers to the roller mechanism, not to be confused with rolled coils. Herochu builds these racks for flat sheets, not coils.

Why Steel and Aluminum Require Separate Storage

When steel and aluminum contact each other in the presence of an electrolyte (like humidity), galvanic corrosion occurs. The aluminum acts as an anode and corrodes rapidly. A drawer type roll sheet metal rack for steel aluminum from Herochu prevents this by keeping the two metals in separate drawers. Not only are the metals physically separated, but the powder-coated drawer surface also acts as an insulator. For shops that store stainless steel alongside aluminum, the same principle applies. Herochu can color-code the drawers – for example, red for steel, blue for aluminum – so operators never mix them. Additionally, aluminum is softer than steel and easily scratched by steel edges. Separate drawers eliminate the risk of steel edges dragging across aluminum surfaces during retrieval.

Load Capacity and Drawer Sizes

Herochu designs the drawer type roll sheet metal rack for steel aluminum with a per-drawer capacity of 2,500 kg (5,500 lbs), identical to the roll-out racking described earlier. However, for aluminum storage, the capacity is rarely the limiting factor because aluminum is one-third the density of steel. A drawer that can hold 2,500 kg of steel can hold over 7,000 kg of aluminum in volume terms – but the drawer is sized to sheet dimensions, not weight. The practical limit is sheet size: Herochu offers drawer widths up to 2,000 mm and lengths up to 6,000 mm. Drawer depth (the distance the drawer extends) is typically 90% of the sheet length. For standard aluminum sheets (e.g., 3,000×1,500 mm), Herochu recommends the HC-B3015-63 platform adapted with roller drawers. Each drawer has its own set of rollers, so multiple drawers can be opened simultaneously – useful when an operator needs to compare sheets of different alloys.

Roller Mechanism and Pulling Effort

The “roll” in drawer type roll sheet metal rack for steel aluminum refers to the ball-bearing rollers. Herochu uses sealed, pre-lubricated rollers with a hardness rating of HRC 60 on the track surface. These rollers are arranged in pairs – typically two pairs per drawer for lengths up to 3,000 mm, four pairs for lengths up to 6,000 mm. The pulling force required to open a fully loaded 2,500 kg drawer is approximately 120 N (12 kg-force) due to the roller efficiency. That is easily managed by one operator using the T-handle. For shops with physically demanding workflows, Herochu offers a pneumatic assist option – a small air cylinder that pushes the drawer open at the touch of a button. The automatic locking mechanism engages at full extension and full closure, preventing unintended movement. The lock releases only when the operator pulls the handle further (to disengage the pawl) and then pushes.

Organization and Labeling Systems

A drawer type roll sheet metal rack for steel aluminum is inherently more organized than fixed-shelf racks because each drawer acts as a separate bin. Herochu can supply label holders on each drawer front, sized for 4×6 inch cards. You can label each drawer with material grade, thickness, heat number, and quantity. For example: “6061 Aluminum – 3 mm – 12 sheets”. During production, the operator pulls only the required drawer, picks the needed sheet, and returns the drawer – the remaining sheets stay undisturbed. This eliminates the “digging through the pile” problem. For ISO-certified shops, the drawer system simplifies inventory tracking because you can perform cycle counts by opening one drawer at a time without disrupting others.

Space Efficiency Comparison

Traditional flat storage of sheet metal requires a footprint equal to the sheet area multiplied by the number of stacks, minus some overlap. With a drawer-type rack, the footprint is approximately the sheet area plus a small margin for the frame. A Herochu six-drawer rack for 3,000×1,500 mm sheets occupies about 3.2 m × 1.8 m = 5.76 square meters. It stores six stacks of sheets. If you stored those six stacks on the floor with forklift access aisles, you would need at least 18 square meters. That is a 3:1 space saving. For expensive real estate in urban workshops, this is a game-changer. Furthermore, the drawer-type rack can be placed directly next to a shear or press brake because the extended drawer does not require an aisle behind the rack – only in front. This allows high-density cell layouts that would be impossible with floor storage.

Safety Enhancements Specific to Drawer Racks

Safety is a primary benefit of the drawer type roll sheet metal rack for steel aluminum. Each drawer locks in both positions, so there is no risk of a drawer sliding shut while an operator is leaning in to pick a sheet. Conversely, a drawer will not roll open accidentally if a forklift bumps the rack. The T-handle is designed with a hand guard that prevents fingers from being pinched between the drawer and the column. Herochu also offers an optional interlock system that prevents more than one drawer from being opened at the same time – this prevents the rack from tipping forward, although the wide base and floor anchors already make tipping unlikely. For shops with seismic requirements, Herochu adds diagonal braces and extra anchor bolts.

Application Examples: Steel and Aluminum Fabrication

Example 1 – Aerospace parts manufacturer: Stores 2,000×1,000 mm aluminum sheets in 5052 and 7075 alloys. A Herochu drawer type roll sheet metal rack with eight drawers separates each alloy and thickness. A vacuum lifter picks sheets directly from the extended drawer and moves them to a CNC router. The shop reduced sheet retrieval time by 70% and eliminated corrosion from steel-contaminated workbenches.

Example 2 – General fabrication shop: Stores mild steel plates (3 mm to 12 mm) and aluminum tread plate. Two separate Herochu drawer racks are placed side by side – one for steel, one for aluminum. Each rack has six drawers. Operators use a magnetic lifter for steel and a vacuum lifter for aluminum. The shop increased storage density by 400% compared to previous floor stacking and reduced sheet edge damage to zero.

Example 3 – Laser cutting job shop: A 3 kW laser cuts both steel and aluminum sheets up to 4,000×1,500 mm. Herochu custom-built a drawer type rack with four steel drawers and two aluminum drawers in the same frame, separated by a galvanic barrier (a plastic sheet between the drawer sections). The rack is positioned directly behind the laser table’s loading zone. An operator extends the required drawer, uses a fork-mounted vacuum lifter to pick the top sheet, and places it on the laser bed. The entire retrieval cycle takes 45 seconds.

Technical Specifications for Herochu Drawer Type Racks

• Rack type: Drawer type roll sheet metal rack for steel aluminum

• Drawer load capacity: 2,500 kg per drawer (customizable up to 3,500 kg)

• Sheet dimensions: Up to 6,000 mm length × 2,000 mm width

• Number of drawers: 3 to 8 (depending on height)

• Drawer extension: 90% of sheet length

• Roller type: Sealed ball bearing, hardened steel track, HRC 60

• Handle: T-handle with automatic lock at open and closed positions

• Frame material: Q235B steel, powder coated (8 colors; custom colors available)

• Optional features: Pneumatic assist, interlock system, label holders, pin tables, anti-static coating for aluminum

• Footprint: Approximately sheet length + 200 mm × sheet width + 300 mm

Maintenance and Durability

Herochu builds these racks for decades of daily use. The rollers are rated for 100,000 cycles at full load. After that, they can be replaced individually – Herochu stocks replacement rollers. The tracks are hardened and should be cleaned every six months with a dry cloth; no lubrication is needed because the rollers are sealed. The powder coat finish resists scratches from aluminum edges (aluminum is soft but can still mar paint). For shops that store only aluminum, Herochu recommends an optional clear anodized finish on the drawer decks to prevent any chemical reaction. The T-handle mechanism uses a stainless steel pawl that will not rust. With basic care, a Herochu drawer type roll sheet metal rack for steel aluminum will outlast the building it sits in.

Why Choose Herochu for Drawer Type Racks?

Herochu has specialized in sheet metal storage for over 15 years. The company’s drawer type roll sheet metal rack for steel aluminum is the result of continuous feedback from fabricators, laser operators, and safety managers. Every rack is built in Herochu’s own factory, with full traceability of steel from the mill. Herochu offers a two-year warranty on all moving parts and a ten-year warranty on the frame structure. For shops that need to store both steel and aluminum safely and efficiently, Herochu provides the most reliable drawer-type system on the market. Contact Herochu to request a catalog of standard drawer sizes or to begin a custom design for your specific sheet inventory.