When designing a Roll Out Sheet Metal Storage Rack, every component should contribute to safer handling, higher storage density, and faster material access. Among these components, the mat beam is one of the most practical accessories for improving the performance of a sheet metal storage rack.
As an experienced sheet metal storage rack manufacturer, Cunke recommends mat beams for customers who frequently handle steel sheets with forklifts or overhead cranes.
What Is a Mat Beam?
A mat beam is a removable support beam installed across the tray of a Roll Out Sheet Metal Storage Rack. It supports steel sheets directly, allowing forklifts or overhead cranes to handle materials without relying on traditional wooden pallets. This simple design makes a Roll Out Sheet Metal Storage Rack more efficient while reducing wasted vertical space.
This simple design allows forklifts or cranes to lift the material safely while eliminating the need for bulky pallets.
Why Are Mat Beams Necessary?
1. Increase Vertical Storage Capacity
The biggest advantage of a mat beam is its low profile.
A standard Euro wooden pallet is approximately 144 mm high, which consumes valuable vertical space in every storage layer. In contrast, a mat beam is typically only 30–40 mm high.
By replacing bulky wooden pallets with slim mat beams, a Roll Out Sheet Metal Storage Rack can increase the number of storage levels within the same rack height. This allows manufacturers to improve storage density while making better use of available warehouse space. For companies storing stainless steel sheets, aluminum plates, or carbon steel plates, a high-density sheet metal storage system provides substantial long-term savings.
For facilities storing large quantities of steel sheets, stainless steel, or aluminum plates, this translates into significantly higher storage efficiency.
2. Improve Forklift and Crane Loading Efficiency
Mat beams are specifically designed to support direct material handling.
Because the sheets rest securely on the beams, operators can access the material directly with a forklift or overhead crane without first removing or repositioning a wooden pallet.
This simplifies loading and unloading, reduces unnecessary handling steps, and shortens material transfer time.
For manufacturers with high production volumes, faster material movement means improved workflow and higher productivity.
3. Reduce Pallet Costs
Traditional sheet metal storage often requires a large number of wooden pallets. Over time, these pallets become damaged, require replacement, and occupy additional storage space when not in use.
Using mat beams eliminates most pallet requirements, helping reduce purchasing, maintenance, and replacement costs while creating a cleaner and more organized storage area.
A Small Accessory with a Big Impact
Although mat beams are a relatively small component, they make a significant difference in the performance of a roll out sheet metal rack.
Their advantages include:
- Maximizing vertical storage capacity
- Supporting direct forklift and crane loading
- Increasing warehouse efficiency
- Reducing wooden pallet costs
- Improving overall material handling safety
At Cunke, we provide mat beams as an optional accessory for our roll out sheet metal storage rack to help customers optimize warehouse operations based on their handling methods and production requirements.
A Roll Out Sheet Metal Storage Rack is designed to maximize warehouse efficiency, and mat beams are an important part of achieving that goal. By increasing storage density, supporting direct forklift loading, reducing pallet costs, and improving material handling efficiency, mat beams help transform a standard sheet metal storage rack into a highly productive sheet metal storage system. For manufacturers looking to optimize steel sheet storage, adding mat beams is a simple upgrade that delivers measurable improvements in both storage capacity and operational efficiency.
Explore More About Roll Out Sheet Metal Racks
Mat beams improve the performance of a Roll Out Sheet Metal Storage Rack. They help increase storage density and improve material handling efficiency.
Want to learn more about rack design, loading methods, and storage solutions? Read our Complete Guide to Roll Out Sheet Metal Racks.
