How Many 6 m Angles Fit in One Storage Position
Weight sets the limit for most angle sizes. The table divides the rated load of a storage position by the weight of one 6 m length. Weights use the mass per metre for equal angles in EN 10056-1.
|
Equal angle (mm) |
Mass per metre |
One 6 m length |
Pieces per 500 kg unit |
Pieces per 1,000 kg unit |
Pieces at 5,000 kg |
|
50 × 50 × 5 |
3.77 kg/m |
22.6 kg (50 lbs) |
22 |
44 |
221 |
|
75 × 75 × 8 |
8.99 kg/m |
53.9 kg (119 lbs) |
9 |
18 |
92 |
|
100 × 100 × 10 |
15.0 kg/m |
90.0 kg (198 lbs) |
5 |
11 |
55 |
|
150 × 150 × 15 |
33.8 kg/m |
202.8 kg (447 lbs) |
2 |
4 |
24 |
|
200 × 200 × 20 |
59.9 kg/m |
359.4 kg (792 lbs) |
1 |
2 |
13 |
Mass per metre from EN 10056-1 equal angle tables. Piece counts are rounded down and count weight only. For light sizes, the bundle cross-section can fill the storage unit before the weight limit is reached, so we check your bundle dimensions as well.
The table shows why one storage unit size rarely suits a whole angle range. A 500 kg unit holds a useful quantity of 50 mm angles but only one or two lengths of 150 mm angle. Most angle stores therefore use one unit size for light and medium angles and a heavier rating for large sections. We set these ratings from your size list and bundle weights.
Storage Unit Length for 6 m Angle Bundles
A 6 m bundle needs a storage unit longer than 6 m. The extra length absorbs variation in mill lengths and keeps the bundle ends away from the unit ends when the gantry picks it up.
- In a typical CK mobile-rack project, the storage unit is 6,600 × 400 × 300 mm (L × W × H). A 6 m bundle leaves about 300 mm (12 in) at each end.
- In a typical CK fixed-rack project, the storage unit is 6,100 × 700 × 500 mm, including its frame. The wider section suits heavier or larger bundles, with about 50 mm (2 in) at each end.
- Angles longer than 6 m need longer units. We also build systems for 9 m and 12 m material, sized for each project.
Angles are often bundled with the legs nested together. In a storage unit, the bundle rests on a flat base for its full length, and the gantry lifts the unit rather than the angles themselves.
Specifications
Each system is built to order. The table gives the design limits and the values from typical CK projects, labelled as such.
|
Group |
Item |
Value |
|
Capacity |
Load per storage position |
Up to 5,000 kg (11,000 lbs) design maximum; 500 kg and 1,000 kg in typical projects |
|
Capacity |
Storage positions |
Set by building length and rack layout; 192 positions in a typical mobile-rack project |
|
Dimensions |
Storage unit for 6 m material |
6,600 × 400 × 300 mm or 6,100 × 700 × 500 mm in typical projects |
|
Dimensions |
Gantry height |
Up to 10 m (32.8 ft); 5.6 m (18.4 ft) in a typical low-building project |
|
Dimensions |
Rack height |
7 to 8 m (23 to 26 ft) maximum |
|
Operation |
Gantry travel speed |
Up to 25 m/min (82 ft/min) |
|
Operation |
Lift speed |
6 to 8 m/min (20 to 26 ft/min) in typical projects |
|
Operation |
Positioning |
±2 mm (mobile-rack project) or ±5 mm (fixed-rack project) |
|
Operation |
Mobile rack base speed |
8 m/min (26 ft/min) |
|
Control |
Modes |
Online automatic, single-machine automatic, manual and maintenance manual |
|
Control |
Software |
WMS with location management, first in first out allocation, stock counts, low-stock and stock-age alerts, handheld barcode terminals |
|
Power |
Supply |
380 V / 220 V, 50 Hz, 3-phase in typical projects; installed power set per project |
|
Construction |
Steel |
Q355 or Q235 structural steel, rack strength checked by finite element analysis (FEA) |
|
Construction |
Finish |
Powder coating in any RAL colour |
Load ratings assume the bundle is spread along the full storage unit. Values marked "typical" come from CK projects and change with each layout.
Storing and Retrieving an Angle Bundle
Operators handle angles only at the loading station. Inside the rack area, the gantry moves the storage unit and nobody needs to walk between the racks.
- A crane or forklift places a full or part bundle into an empty storage unit on the loading station.
- The operator enters the angle size or scans its barcode, and the WMS chooses a free location by its storage rules.
- The gantry carrier picks up the storage unit from both ends. Guides at each end move the unit to the centre of the carrier.
- The gantry raises the unit above the racks and travels to the target row. With mobile racks, the rack rows move on their floor rails to open that aisle.
- The gantry lowers the unit onto the cantilever arms, withdraws and reports the move. The WMS books the stock to that location.
Retrieval runs in reverse and ends with the storage unit on the loading station. The operator then takes single lengths or lifts the whole bundle out with the crane. The WMS also watches how weight is spread across each cantilever rack. If a rack becomes unbalanced, the system moves units between locations on its own before it continues with new tasks.
Safety functions
- Light curtains guard the operator area and stop the gantry if a person or object enters.
- Sensors between rack rows stop all motion if someone walks into an aisle while the gantry is working.
- Servo drives monitor motor current and stop on overload.
- Password-protected settings on the touchscreen, and a perimeter mesh fence 1.2 m (3.9 ft) high in typical projects.
- Noise at 1.5 m (4.9 ft) from the equipment is 85 dB or less.
Feeding a CNC Angle Line
Many angle fabricators use a CNC angle line to punch, drill, notch, mark and cut angles from stock lengths. The storage system decides how fast the right size reaches that line.
The gantry delivers the storage unit to the loading station near the line. From there, lengths go to the line infeed by crane or by a transfer device. The loading station can connect to your existing angle line. We confirm the interface for each make and model, because infeed designs differ between machine builders. With the WMS, the next angle size can be called up while the line is still working on the current one.
Mobile or Fixed Racks for Angle Stock
Both rack types work with the same gantry. The choice depends on floor space, budget and how the building is laid out.
|
Item |
Mobile cantilever racks |
Fixed cantilever racks |
|
Aisles |
Rack rows move on floor rails and open one aisle at a time |
Fixed aisle between racks |
|
Typical project |
12 rack groups, 192 positions, 500 kg per position |
5 levels per side, 10 levels per double-sided rack, 1,000 kg per level |
|
Floor work |
Rails for the rack bases and for the gantry |
Rails for the gantry only |
|
Best for |
Many angle sizes in a limited floor area |
Fewer sizes, heavier units, simpler installation |
Is This the Right System for Your Angle Stock?
A good fit if
- You keep many angle sizes in 6 m lengths and now pick them from floor stacks or crane-served racks.
- Your crane operators spend time moving top bundles to reach the size underneath.
- You feed a CNC angle line, a saw or welding cells and need the next size ready on time.
- You want stock by size and location in software, not on a whiteboard.
Not the right choice if
- You hold only a few angle sizes and use them a few times a week. A manual roll-out angle iron rack is simpler and needs no automation.
- Your angles are stored outdoors. This system is designed for indoor halls.
- Your building is too low for a gantry above the racks. Ask for a check before you plan, since the lowest typical gantry is 5.6 m (18.4 ft).
- You need stock access during a power failure. The system cannot be moved by hand without power, and manual operation is not allowed.
For crane-served storage without automation, see the range of CK roll-out cantilever racks.
Site and Installation
Floor capacity and rails are the first items to check. In typical CK projects, the floor carries a distributed load of 1.5 to 1.6 t/m² (310 to 330 lb/ft²). Point loads reach 1.9 to 4.2 t.
- Gantry rails can be recessed into the floor or mounted on the surface. Recessed rails need slab work before installation.
- Installation order: survey and mark the rail centre lines, fit the rails, install the gantry, then install the racks.
- Power: a 3-phase industrial supply near the system.
- Keep 1 m (3.3 ft) around the rack area free of stored material.
- Acceptance includes a load test under real working conditions, followed by operator and maintenance training.
Delivery, Warranty and Certification
An automated angle storage system ships 60 to 90 days after order. This time includes quality checks, a full trial assembly in our factory, function tests and export packing.
- A CK engineer installs and commissions the system on site.
- Warranty: 1 year, with extended warranty available. Spare wear parts ship with the system.
- Support: response within 24 hours by phone or email, with remote video guidance.
- Trade terms: DDU preferred; EXW, FOB and CIF also available.
- CE certified. ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certified. Patented cantilever rack design (China utility model patents).
More detail on how the gantry and racks are built is in the CK Storage overview of the gantry storage system.
FAQ
Get a Layout for Your Angle Store
Send us the details below and we will reply with a layout drawing and a quote.
- Your angle sizes, the quantity per size and the heaviest bundle
- Material lengths, if any are longer than 6 m
- Retrievals per shift and the machines the angles feed
- Building plan, clear height and floor slab information
- Current cranes and forklifts, and the make and model of your angle line
Request an angle storage layout and quote.
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