What are sheet metal racks used for in fabrication environments?

Sheet metal racks organize, store, and provide quick access to sheet metal for small and medium jobs so operators can retrieve individual sheets without moving an entire pallet load.

What sizes of material can be stored in sheet metal racks?

Sheet metal racks can store common sheet sizes such as 4×8 and 5×10, supporting quick access to standard sheet formats used in fabrication and metalworking environments.

What weight considerations are important when using sheet metal racks?

Racks must be specified for the weight of stored metal sheets, including gauge and material type, so beams and shelves are properly rated for safe loading.

Are automated sheet metal racks available for high storage applications?

Yes. Automated sheet metal rack systems can extend vertically to maximize cubic storage and automatically lift and retrieve sheet bundles from high positions.

How tall can automated sheet metal racks be built?

Standard automated sheet metal racks can reach around 20 feet, with custom configurations extending up to about 40 feet and supporting dozens or even hundreds of pallet positions depending on clear height and layout.

How do sheet metal racks improve safety and organization?

Sheet metal racks protect materials from bending and scratches, keep sheets off the floor to reduce trip hazards, and present loads at ergonomic heights to support safer handling.

What sheet sizes and weights can automated towers handle?

Automated towers can handle common sheet formats including 4×8, 5×10, 5×13, 5×20, 6×13, 6×20, and 8×20, with trays rated up to about 11,000 pounds each depending on configuration.

Sheet Metal Racking Systems for Safer, Faster Access

Heavy sheet inventory shouldn’t slow changeovers or create unsafe handling. A sheet metal racking system consolidates stock in a compact footprint and presents trays at a consistent, ergonomic height—ideal for feeding lasers, press brakes, and staging near-line material. Southwest Solutions Group sizes racks and automated towers to your sheet formats and load requirements, helps you organize by alloy or job, and supports integration with cranes and vacuum lifters for smoother flow. You can view product details, or request a consultation to plan capacity, layout, and code-compliant installation.

Automated dual tower sheet metal storage system with blue powder-coated steel frame and multiple trays for heavy flat materials

Automated Vertical Sheet Metal Storage

Automated towers consolidate sheet stock in a vertical bank of tray positions, then bring the selected tray to a waist-height access opening. Operators call trays with simple controls, so heavy sheets are presented at a safe, repeatable working height. This approach cuts forklift travel, shortens changeovers, and concentrates inventory where it is actually used.

Systems are sized to common formats and heavy loads, with trays configured for alloys, gauges, or specific work orders. By keeping materials protected in enclosed positions and only moving the required tray, shops reduce surface damage, improve accountability, and maintain a cleaner flow lane around cutting tables and press brakes.

Elevator retrieval delivers trays to the operator window
High density footprint frees aisles around production cells
Organize by alloy, thickness, or job to prevent mix ups
Ergonomic access reduces injury risk and rework
Ideal for feeding lasers and press brakes with less handling

How the Automated Tower Works

An internal lift moves trays between storage locations and the front access opening. The operator selects a tray, the elevator transports it, and the load arrives ready for cranes, vacuum lifters, or team handling. Because the tray comes to the user, heavy sheets are never dragged across adjacent stock, and retrievals are consistent for every shift.

Trays support up to 11,000 lbs each and accept standard formats including 4×8, 5×10, 5×13, 5×20, 6×13, 6×20, and 8×20. Configure single-tower front load and unload, front load with rear unload, or double-tower with shuttle to line up with travel paths, machine infeed requirements, and throughput targets.

Up to 11,000 lbs per tray capacity
Supports 4×8 through 8×20 sheet sizes
Front, rear, or shuttle handling options
Consistent waist-height access point for loading
Compatible with cranes and vacuum lifters

industrial automation control panel with touch screen interface for operating sheet metal storage system

automated sheet metal storage system with blue powder-coated steel frame and multiple trays for heavy flat materials

Integrate Towers with Lasers & Press Brakes

Position towers beside laser tables, press brakes, or robotic cells to reduce material travel and keep the next job staged at the machine. Trays can be dedicated to high-turn alloys or kitted by job number, so programs start faster and operators are not pulling sheets from remote pallet stacks.

The organized tray format improves inventory visibility for planners, supports first-in, first-out flow when required, and reduces the risk of surface damage from unplanned transfers. For cells with higher volume, two-tower shuttle configurations maintain a clear infeed while a second position queues the next tray.

Stage by program, gauge, or work order
Short, direct paths from storage to machine infeed
Supports manned and robotic cells
Improves WIP control and traceability
Two-tower shuttle options for higher throughput

Also need vertical storage for long stock such as bar, tube, or profiles?

Automated storage system with safety fences and light curtains for industrial sheet metal handling — Automated towers stage programs by alloy and gauge, reducing changeover time and handling risk.

Fabricators place vertical towers beside laser tables and press brakes to keep high-turn sheets at the operator window. Trays dedicated to common alloys and thicknesses prevent mix ups and reduce unplanned forklift trips to remote pallet stacks.

With repeatable, waist-height retrievals and enclosed storage positions, shops protect surface finish, increase operator safety, and maintain steady flow during frequent program changes.

Tray retrieval at a consistent working height
Faster changeovers for laser cutting cells
Improves operator safety and ergonomics
High-capacity trays for heavy sheets
Supports cranes and vacuum lifters

Monoblock steel tubular structure for automated storage systems in industrial facilities — Compact towers consolidate sheet inventory and free aisles for mixed materials.

Distribution centers use towers to condense sheet stock into a small footprint while preserving fast access. Single- or double-tower layouts can align with docks and machine cells, improving visibility across SKUs and minimizing congestion in shared aisles.

Rear-unload and shuttle options keep a clear infeed lane while the next tray is queued, helping facilities sustain higher throughputs without expanding the building envelope.

Single or double tower configurations
Rear unload or shuttle handling
Reduces forklift travel and cross-traffic
Improves SKU visibility and control
Configurable to common sheet sizes

Double tower automated storage system for metal sheet handling in manufacturing facilities — Integrate near cells to streamline WIP, reduce damage, and improve throughput.

OEMs stage jobs by work order to maintain traceability and reduce rehandling. Trays kitted with matched parts or alloys flow directly to press brakes and lasers, cutting waits between steps and lowering the risk of damage during transfers.

Where volumes are higher, two-tower shuttle systems allow one tray to feed the cell while the next tray is prepared, supporting steady cycle times and predictable staffing.

Stage by work order or program
Shorter travel to production cells
Helps prevent mix ups and rework
Supports repeatable cycle times
Compatible with robotic cells

Frequently Asked Questions

Sheet metal racks are used to organize, store, and provide quick access to sheet metal for small and medium size jobs. Sheet metal racks allow operators to retrieve individual sheets without needing to pull an entire pallet load.

Sheet metal racks can store standard sheet dimensions such as 4 foot by 8 foot sheets or 5 foot by 10 foot sheets. These sheet metal rack configurations support quick access to sheet goods for fabrication and metalworking environments.

Sheet metal racks require accurate weight specifications for stored materials. Sheet metal rack beams and shelves must be rated to support the weight of metal sheets, which vary in gauge and material type. Providing weight information ensures that sheet metal racks are designed safely.

Yes, automated sheet metal racks are available and can extend vertically to maximize cubic storage space. Automated sheet metal rack systems can lift and retrieve sheet bundles at great heights for efficient storage and handling.

Automated sheet metal racks can reach up to 20 feet for standard units, with custom versions extending as high as 40 feet. These high-density sheet metal rack systems can store 50, 100, or even 300 pallet positions depending on configuration and ceiling clearance.

Racks protect materials from bending and scratches, reduce trip hazards by organizing sheets off the floor, and present materials at an ergonomic height for safer handling.

Trays support up to 11,000 lbs each and accept common formats such as 4×8, 5×10, 5×13, 5×20, 6×13, 6×20, and 8×20.

Honest Results

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“I would like to compliment Larry, the supervisor for our project. We relocated existing County files and storage equipment from one building to another. He managed the project flow of materials wonderfully. If it wasn’t for his professional attitude the moving of the files would have been a greater challenge. We are very satisfied with your company.”

“I just have to comment on how impressed everyone in our office was with your crew led by Larry! The entire group was very courteous and mindful to be as considerate as possible while we were conducting business. We were very impressed with the safety factor being stressed as #1. The entire crew worked together so smoothly as a TEAM. Please be sure our extreme pleasure is shared.”

“You guys have been fantastic to work with. This project has been on the more complex side, with the contracts going from the contractor to the City and then back to the contractor. I appreciate you guys sticking with us, helping us through the whole process. I look forward to working with you again on another similar project when it arises.”

Southwest Solutions Near You

With 7 offices in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado, plus teams covering every major metro area nationwide, Southwest Solutions Group delivers expert sheet metal racking system sales, design, installation, and maintenance support wherever you need it.

Sheet Metal Racking ystem Service Areas

Texas

Offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston & San Antonio w/ sales, design, and installation coverage statewide

Austin
Dallas
El Paso
Fort Worth
Houston
San Antonio

Oklahoma

Office in Edmond w/ sales, design, and installation coverage statewide

Broken Arrow
Edmond
Lawton
Norman
Oklahoma City
Tulsa

Kansas

Office in Lenexa w/ sales, design, and installation coverage statewide

Kansas City
Lawrence
Olathe
Overland Park
Topeka
Wichita

Colorado

Office in Englewood w/ sales, design, and installation coverage statewide

Aurora
Colorado Springs
Denver
Fort Collins
Lakewood
Boulder

Alaska