Automated storage for long parts (ASRS alternative)

The Pragmatic ASRS Alternative: Why Metal Fabricators Are Switching to Telescopic Racks

For Steel Service Centers and high-end manufacturers like GHWA, the concept of Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS) is appealing but often overkill. You need density and speed, but you may not need a multi-million dollar software integration that halts production if a sensor fails. The Telescopic Cantilever Rack bridges the gap. It transforms static storage into a dynamic, high-density system. By allowing 100% drawer extension, it enables overhead crane accessible racking—the gold standard for handling long, heavy, and finish-sensitive materials like polished stainless steel tubes and bars.

The Hidden Cost of "The Dig": Surface Finish and Efficiency

In a typical metal fabrication shop storage environment, long parts are often stacked on floor bundles or static cantilever racks. This creates two critical problems for precision manufacturers: 1. Compromised Surface Integrity: For industries serving food, dairy, or pharma (like those requiring 3-A Sanitary Standards), the surface roughness (Ra) is non-negotiable. When a forklift operator has to dig out a bundle of sanitary tubing from the bottom of a stack, the friction and contact often cause micro-scratches. A scratched tube is scrap. 2. The 20-Minute Changeover: When your saw or laser cutter needs a specific heat number or alloy, and it's buried behind three other bundles, your operator spends 20 minutes moving material ("secondary handling") instead of cutting. That is downtime that directly bleeds profit.

The Solution: 100% Accessibility

The crank out cantilever rack eliminates the "dig." Every level is an independent drawer. Whether you are storing 20-foot polished stainless steel pipes or heavy solid bar stock, you simply crank (or electrically drive) the specific level out into the aisle. Because the arm extends fully, you have clear vertical access. This allows you to use an overhead crane with nylon slings or a vacuum lifter to pick the material gently. No forks scraping against the metal. No dragging bundles over one another.

Engineering for Heavy-Duty Applications

This is not lightweight shelving. It is structural engineering designed for the rigors of a Steel service center. * Structure: Built from heavy-duty structural steel profiles (H-beams), ensuring rigidity even when fully loaded. * Capacity: Each arm level can handle loads from 2,000 lbs up to 10,000 lbs (customizable), making it ideal for the safe storage of heavy pipes and tubes. * Operation: Available in manual (crank) for standard loads or electric drive for maximum efficiency and ergonomics. The electric version (shown above) effectively functions as a semi-automated system. An operator can identify the material via inventory tags, push a button on a remote, and have the material presented to the crane in under 30 seconds.

Comparison: Telescopic Racks vs. Full ASRS

Why choose a roll-out cantilever system over a fully automated stacker crane ASRS?

Feature	Full ASRS (Stacker Crane)	Telescopic Cantilever (Semi-Auto)
Initial Investment	Very High ($$$$)	Moderate ($$)
Handling Method	Automated Crane/Shuttle	Existing Overhead Crane + Extendable Arms
Surface Protection	High	High (Use of Slings/Vacuum Lifters)
Maintenance	Complex (Software + Mechanics)	Low (Simple Mechanical/Grease)
Flexibility	Rigid (Hard to reconfigure)	Modular (Relocatable)

Installation and Floor Requirements

Implementing this system requires a solid foundation—literally. Because the rack condenses so much weight into a small footprint (saving you up to 50% floor space), the point loads are significant. As seen below, installation involves precision anchoring to your facility's concrete slab using heavy-duty expansion bolts or chemical anchors. Our team calculates the specific PSI requirements based on your inventory—whether you are storing dense solid bars or lighter hollow tubes.

Protecting Your "Mirror Finish" Investment

For manufacturers producing components for the pharmaceutical or semiconductor industries, scratches are not just cosmetic issues; they are contamination risks. By utilizing a Telescopic Cantilever Rack, you ensure that bundles are stored individually. You never drag one tube across another. For ultimate protection, arms can be lined with UHMW plastic strips to ensure your stainless steel never touches carbon steel, preventing iron contamination and preserving the passive layer.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can we retrofit these racks to work with our existing overhead bridge crane?
Yes, this is the primary design intent. The "open top" design created when the drawers extend allows your existing bridge or gantry crane to access 100% of the material vertically, eliminating the need for forklifts in the aisle.

Q2: We store 24-foot stainless steel tubing. Can the rack handle this length?
Absolutely. The systems are modular. We utilize multiple columns spaced appropriately to support 20ft, 24ft, or even 40ft lengths. This ensures the tubes do not sag, maintaining their straightness for machining.

Q3: Does the rack require special power for the electric models?
Standard industrial 3-phase power is typically used for the electric motor drives. However, manual crank models are geared to allow a single operator to move up to 5,000 lbs with minimal effort, requiring no power hookup.

Q4: How do you prevent carbon steel contamination on stainless products?
We can supply the rack arms with UHMW (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) liners or rubber stripping. This isolates your high-purity stainless tubes from the carbon steel structure of the rack, preventing galvanic corrosion and scratches.

Q5: What is the maximum weight capacity per level?
Our heavy-duty series can be engineered to support up to 10,000 lbs per drawer level, depending on the arm length and material distribution. This is ideal for dense storage of solid bar stock or large bundles of thick-wall pipe.