Stop sacrificing your polished stainless steel tubes to forklift damage. In high-purity manufacturing, a single scratch on a 20RA surface finish turns valuable inventory into scrap. By eliminating wide forklift aisles and switching to overhead crane access, you don't just save 50% of your floor space—you protect the integrity of every pipe, tube, and bar stock in your facility.
For manufacturers dealing with ASME BPE standard tubing or high-purity stainless components, the method of storage is often the biggest threat to product quality. Traditional static cantilevers force you to use forklifts or side-loaders. The mechanics of this are inherently flawed for high-value inventory:
Figure 1: High-density storage of long parts without the need for wide forklift aisles.
The industry is shifting toward Telescopic Cantilever Racks. Unlike static racks, these systems function like heavy-duty drawers. Each level can be extended 100% out into the aisle space using a hand crank or electric motor.
This simple mechanical change completely alters your logistics flow. Once the arm is extended, the material is fully exposed from above. This allows your shop's overhead crane to lower a nylon sling or vacuum lifter directly onto the center of gravity of the load. There is no dragging, no sliding, and no forklift tine contact. For facilities processing high-quality hygienic stainless steel components, this "pick-and-place" capability ensures the material remains pristine from receiving to the laser cutter or saw.
Figure 2: Fully extended arms allow overhead cranes to access multiple levels simultaneously.
Storing bundles of stainless steel is not the same as storing pallets of consumer goods. The density of steel requires a structural rigidity that standard roll-formed racking cannot provide. Our roll-out cantilever systems are engineered using structural H-beam steel for the base and columns, ensuring zero deflection even under maximum load.
| Feature | Specification | Benefit for Steel Service Centers |
|---|---|---|
| Extension | 100% Full Extension | Total access to the rear of the bundle; enables vertical lifting. |
| Capacity | Up to 6,600 lbs (3 Tons) per arm level | Handles solid stainless bar stock and heavy-wall pipes easily. |
| Length | Customizable (10ft - 40ft+) | Accommodates standard 20ft raw material lengths without overhang. |
| Protection | UHMW Lining Options | Prevents carbon steel contamination on stainless products. |
For high-throughput environments—such as feeding laser tube cutting machines or CNC centers—speed is critical. Manual cranks are effective, but electric drive systems maximize operator efficiency. With a remote-controlled system, a single operator can extend a shelf holding 6,000 lbs of tube in seconds, rig the load to the crane, and move it to production without ever leaving the safety zone or straining their back.
This system also allows for tighter inventory control. By assigning specific rack levels to specific heat numbers or OD sizes (e.g., 2" vs 2.5" sanitary tubing), you eliminate the time wasted digging through mixed piles on the floor.
Figure 3: Push-button electric operation streamlines the feeding of production machinery.
The transition to a crank out cantilever rack is a capital improvement that requires proper implementation. Unlike lightweight shelving, these units are anchored deep into your concrete slab using heavy-duty expansion bolts. This ensures that even when fully loaded and extended, the center of gravity remains stable, providing a safe working environment for your team.
Figure 4: Secure floor anchoring is essential for the stability of dynamic storage systems.
Q1: Can these racks hold solid stainless steel bar stock, or just hollow tubes?
These systems are specifically engineered for heavy loads. With capacities up to 6,600 lbs per drawer level, they easily support solid round bars, square bars, and dense bundles of heavy-wall pipe without deflection.
Q2: We process sanitary tubing with strict surface finish requirements (Ra). How do we prevent scratches?
The primary protection is the "lift-off" method enabled by overhead cranes, which eliminates the sliding friction caused by forklifts. Additionally, we can equip the cantilever arms with UHMW (plastic) liners to ensure your stainless steel never touches carbon steel, preventing both scratches and iron contamination.
Q3: How much floor space can I actually save?
By eliminating the need for a 12-15 foot forklift maneuvering aisle, facilities typically reclaim 40% to 50% of their floor space. You only need enough room for the operator to walk alongside the rack to rig the load.
Q4: Is the electric system necessary, or is manual sufficient?
For extremely heavy loads (over 4,000 lbs per arm) or high-frequency access (constant feeding of saws/lasers), the electric system reduces operator fatigue and speeds up cycle times. For standard storage where access is less frequent, the manual crank is highly geared and easily operated by one person.
Q5: Do you offer custom lengths for non-standard extrusions?
Yes. While 20ft and 24ft are standard for the steel industry, we manufacture telescopic cantilever racks to custom lengths and depths to match specific extrusion or component sizes.
