In high-precision metal fabrication, particularly with sanitary stainless steel tubes and expensive alloys, material damage during handling is a profit killer. Stop wrestling with 20-foot bars and risking surface scratches with forklifts. Our ergonomic dispensing systems allow for 100% overhead crane access, reducing retrieval time from 20 minutes to just 3 minutes while protecting critical surface finishes (Ra).
For Steel Service Centers and OEM manufacturers specializing in high-purity components, the traditional method of floor stacking or using standard static cantilever racks creates a bottleneck known as "secondary handling." When a work order requires a specific bundle of 316L Bar stock storage located at the bottom or back of a stack, operators are forced to move multiple tons of obstructing material just to access the target item.
This process is not only time-consuming—often halting expensive laser cutting machines or band saws for 15-25 minutes—but it also significantly increases the risk of damaging the material. For sanitary tubes where surface roughness (Ra) is a critical quality parameter, a single scratch caused by fork tine friction or collision during this "digging" process can render an entire length of expensive alloy scrap. The Telescopic Cantilever Rack eliminates this by allowing independent access to every single level.
The defining feature of ergonomic heavy bar dispensing is the ability to extend the rack arm 100% out of the structure, much like a drawer. This capability fundamentally changes the retrieval method from a forklift-dependent operation to an overhead crane (EOT) workflow.
By utilizing an Overhead crane accessible racking system, you bypass the need for wide forklift aisles (often 12-14 feet), reclaiming up to 50% of your floor space. More importantly, lifting long, flexible materials like small-diameter stainless tubing or aluminum profiles from above using nylon slings or vacuum lifters prevents the sagging and bending associated with forklift handling. The crane drops directly vertically to pick the load, ensuring zero contact with adjacent bundles.
Whether handling solid steel rounds or bundles of structural tubing, the physical strain on operators is a major safety concern. Our Crank Out Cantilever Rack systems are engineered with high-precision bearings and a rack-and-pinion drive system. This allows a single operator to extend a drawer loaded with up to 6,600 lbs (3,000 kg) of material with just 15-20 lbs of starting force on the manual crank.
For higher throughput environments, such as feeding high-speed tube lasers, motorized versions allow operators to extend drawers via remote control. This keeps personnel at a safe distance while the heavy load is presented for lifting. The result is a seamless workflow where the saw operator can retrieve raw material and load the machine in under 5 minutes, keeping machine uptime maximized.
For manufacturers dealing with diverse SKUs—ranging from varying diameters of piping to different grades of stainless steel and aluminum—inventory visibility is crucial. The Telescopic Cantilever Rack allows for high-density storage where each specific SKU has a dedicated drawer.
Using adjustable dividers (pins), a single arm level can be segmented to hold multiple smaller bundles of different material grades without them mixing. This organization supports strict FIFO (First-In, First-Out) or LIFO inventory strategies and ensures that the material certificate matches the physical stock every time, a critical requirement for ASME BPE or sanitary standard compliance.
| Feature | Specification Details |
|---|---|
| Load Capacity | Up to 11,000 lbs (5,000 kg) per arm level |
| Rack Height | Standard up to 16 ft (customizable based on facility ceiling) |
| Arm Length (Drawer Depth) | Typically 20" to 48" (customizable for bundle width) |
| Extension | 100% full extension for clear vertical lifting |
| Drive Mechanism | Manual Crank or Electric Motorized Drive |
| Material Compatibility | Steel Pipe, Tube, Bar Stock, H-Beams, Aluminum Profiles |
Q1: How does this rack system prevent damage to polished stainless steel tubes?
A: Unlike standard racks where forklifts must slide forks under the load (risking scratches), our roll-out cantilever allows the entire level to extend. You can then use overhead cranes with nylon slings or vacuum lifters to pick the material up vertically, eliminating friction and contact damage to the surface finish.
Q2: Can we install this system next to our laser cutting machine?
A: Yes, this is the most common application. Placing the rack directly adjacent to the laser or saw creates a "Point of Use" storage solution. This minimizes travel time and allows the machine operator to load raw material safely and independently without waiting for a forklift driver.
Q3: What determines if I need a manual crank or an electric model?
A: It depends on load frequency and weight. Manual crank models are highly ergonomic and suitable for loads up to 6,600 lbs per level. For heavier loads (up to 11,000 lbs) or high-cycle environments where speed is critical, the electric motorized version is recommended to reduce operator fatigue.
Q4: Do I need a special foundation for these heavy racks?
A: These are high-density storage systems transferring significant loads to the floor. Generally, a standard 6-inch reinforced concrete slab (3000 psi) is sufficient, but our engineering team will calculate the specific point loads and verify requirements based on your facility's floor specs.
Q5: Can the rack accommodate different lengths of bar stock, such as 20ft and 24ft?
A: Yes. The system is modular. We can space the columns (towers) to support 20ft, 24ft, or even longer materials. For flexible stock like small diameter plastic or aluminum tubing, we can add more columns or support beams to prevent deflection (sagging) between arms.
