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How to Choose the Right Metal Storage Systems
Bulky, heavy, and sharp edges. Sheet metal isn’t the easiest material to work with, and everyone in the sheet metal fabrication industry knows that.
Smart teams know the challenges of working with and storing sheet metal. And to safely handle sheet metal at shops and warehouses, employers need to have safety controls in place. The best way to eliminate the risks associated with handling & storing sheet metal is a good sheet metal storage rack. The right sheet metal storage will not only make your work environment safer but also includes other workplace benefits, such as increased floor space and productivity gains. But, you might be wondering which is the right storage system for you.
In this article, we will focus on showing you the most common sheet metal storage systems, what you should be looking for, and their pros and cons. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
You may work with everyday materials such as mild steel, stainless steel, copper, and aluminum. But how do you know which sheet metal rack is right for your needs? Let us first give you a quick rundown on the 7 factors to keep in mind when choosing a storage system.
Storage Capacity
Without a proper storage system, sheet metal inventory overflow often ends up stacked in front of your racking systems, creating safety hazards and hindering overall productivity. Avoid this with a metal sheet storage system that offers enough capacity to handle your fluctuating inventory.
Load Capacity
Measure racking capacity not just in the size of sheets it can handle, but in terms of weight per rack. A 10-gauge (0.1406-inch thickness) mild steel sheet weighs 5.76 pounds per square foot, so a single 60-inch by 120-inch steel sheet weighs nearly 288 pounds.
If a rack offers 3 inches of storage depth per shelf, you could fit about 21 sheets of 10-gauge, 24-by-48-inch steel sheets per shelf — and you’d need a carrying capacity of at least 1,760 pounds per shelf for safe storage.
Sheet metal overflow that ends up on the ground creates several risks. Lifting sheet metal without the proper equipment can lead to strain and injury to the back. More than 40 percent.
Safety
Sheet metal overflow that ends up on the ground creates a number of risks. Lifting sheet metal without the proper equipment can lead to strain and injury to the back. More than 40 percent of job-related musculoskeletal disorders involved back injuries among laborers and material movers in 2016.
The ideal sheet metal storage system will need to be operated with mechanical lifting devices.
Product Protection
A good storage system will not only ensure the safety of your sheet metal inventory but will also keep your workers safe from hazards. Racks that require workers to slide sheets from a deep shelf increase the risk of scratches and wear on the metal during extraction.
System Footprint
In any warehouse or storage facility, space is key. Therefore, a manufacturing company needs a sheet metal storage system that fits into your existing infrastructure in limited, but efficient space usage.
High-density sheet storage racks eliminate clutter and sheet metal overflow, leaving plenty of extra room and creating a safe, efficient workplace.
Inventory Organization
The longer it takes to find the specific size and gauge of sheet metal, the less throughput your facility can handle. A good sheet metal storage system provides an organized inventory with labeled sheet racks will reduce the time and effort spent locating the needed sheet metal.
Compatibility with Material Handling Systems
Racking systems must present sheets at an angle where material handling connectors have easy access, whether you use vacuum lifts, magnetic devices, sheet hoists, or forklifts.
Ease of Manual Access
Some sheet metal may be too small for machinery to handle, and your racks should be safe enough for manual access. Improving manual access to sheet metal improves flexibility within the facility, even if your company possesses the correct material handling equipment.
Big Steel Rack offers several high-capacity metal sheet storage, from classic storage racks to vertical racks and tube storage, all designed with quality, efficiency, and safety, tailored to your storage needs.
Metal Sheet Storage Systems Comparison
Vertical vs Horizontal Storage
While both offer similar advantages, i.e.: space optimization, higher productivity, efficiency, and inventory management safety.
Vertical storage offers superior positioning and use of vertical space by automatically storing products high up. It also keeps metal sheets at a standard height for better ergonomics during manual access, while horizontal systems may require bending to access lower sheets.
It can also be easier and safer to pick elongated materials from vertical storage, as there is less risk of hitting personnel on either side of the retriever.
Vertical shelving systems improve storage density by making the most of your entire storage facility, Maximizing the value of your existing square footage, and advancing your business into the modern age.
Cantilever vs. Shelf Racking
Shelf racking systems provide robust support, with a flat surface or a supported framework that makes contact across the full ledge of the sheet. While cantilever racking stores sheet material on arms that extend out from a central frame, making contact with materials at as few as two points.
Both options can be useful for metal sheets, shelving offers more support to sheet metal and reduces the risk of materials dropping from the racks
Open vs. Roll-Out Design
Roll-out sheet metal rack design has drawers that pull or crank out smoothly to full extension, allowing immediate access for storing and retrieving sheet metal with either a crane or forklift. Open shelving skips the step of pulling out the shelf, but it takes more space while providing less protection to sheets.
While there are options that are superior to others, every single one of these metal sheet storage units can be optimal for keeping your sheet metal organized, tidy, and safe.
If you’re looking to increase your floor space and to keep your metal materials organized, Big Steel Rack, LLC. offers a broad variety of steel storage racks and tubing storage systems, customizable to fit your needs. Our options include:
Sheet Material Rack System
High-density sheet metal storage racks storing sheet metal material on front-facing pallet shelves that can withstand up to 5,000 lbs of uniform load capacity.
Helping you keep your sheet metal organized and alphabetized in one compact place, freeing up 40% to 60% of your current storage footprint when switching from older pallet racking or cantilever racks
Vertical Sheet Storage Racks
Working much like a filing cabinet for your sheet metal. Equipped with heavy-duty casters, this is the most effective way to vertically store and transport material.
Our vertical sheet storage rack is a great way to stay organized and safe in the workplace.
Tubing Storage
Get the benefit of storing your tubing and bar stock efficiently and safely. A good tubing storage system will reduce clutter while keeping your metal tubes and pipes neatly organized in one high-density storage area.
We take pride in offering our customers fully customizable configurations to fit their needs. Contact us for custom designs, or learn more about sheet metal storage solutions.
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Our desire to make products here in the United States, and stay in the United States, has set us apart from our competitors. At Big Steel Rack, we believe that we have a responsibility to our consumers and retailers to not only provide high-quality products, but continue to offer employment for Americans.
