In high-purity stainless steel distribution, a single scratch on a polished tube can turn premium inventory into scrap. Traditional floor stacking and forklift handling are the enemies of surface integrity (Ra values) and warehouse efficiency. Discover how Motorized heavy duty cantilever rack systems eliminate secondary handling, maximize vertical space, and allow your overhead cranes to feed your laser cutters and saws with zero damage.
For operations managers at Steel Service Centers like GHWA, the daily reality is a battle against time and damage. When your core business involves high-value inventory—such as hygienic stainless steel tubes, heavy wall pipes, or precision bar stock—how you store them dictates your profit margin.
The traditional method of floor stacking or using static cantilever racks creates a "honeycomb" problem. To get to the specific heat number or diameter of bar stock buried at the bottom or in the back, your team has to move the top three bundles. In the industry, we call this "Secondary Handling."
It takes 15 to 25 minutes to dig out material. During that time, your expensive CNC saws and laser tube cutters are idling. Worse, every time a forklift tine slides between bundles of polished 304L stainless, you risk scratching the surface finish, rendering the product unsellable for food or pharma applications.
The game-changer for metal fabrication logistics is the switch from static storage to dynamic storage. Motorized heavy duty cantilever rack systems differ fundamentally from standard racks: every level acts as an independent drawer.
By using an electric motor drive, operators can extend a fully loaded arm (up to 5 tons per level) 100% out of the rack structure. This completely exposes the material to the aisle overhead.
Operator using a remote control to extend a specific rack level, eliminating physical strain and forklift reliance.
The primary advantage of a telescopic cantilever rack is that it enables the use of an overhead crane (bridge crane) with nylon slings or vacuum lifters, rather than a forklift.
In a typical metal service center, floor space is premium real estate. Standard forklift-serviced racks require massive aisles—often 12 to 15 feet (approx. 4 meters) wide—just for the truck to turn. This is dead space.
Because the roll-out cantilever rack is serviced by overhead cranes, you can drastically reduce aisle width. The system allows you to condense your storage footprint by up to 50%. This reclaimed space allows you to install additional processing equipment, such as another band saw or deburring machine, directly increasing your plant's throughput.
High-density storage accessible by overhead crane, significantly reducing the required aisle width compared to forklift operations.
These systems are engineered for the harsh environment of steel processing. We utilize structural H-beam steel (Q235/Q355) for the base and columns to ensure stability under eccentric loading.
| Feature | Specification / Benefit |
|---|---|
| Drive System | Electric Motor (Remote Controlled) or Manual Crank (Geared reduction) |
| Load Capacity | Customizable from 2,000 lbs to 11,000 lbs (1 - 5 Tons) per arm level |
| Extension | 100% Full Extension for clear overhead access |
| Material Suitability | Steel Pipe, Tube, Bar Stock, Aluminum Extrusions, H-Beams |
| Surface Protection | Optional UHMW (plastic) liners on arms to prevent carbon contamination on stainless steel |
| Construction | Structural Steel Profiles & Powder Coated Finish |
Given the extreme loads and the dynamic nature of the extending drawers, proper installation is non-negotiable. The units must be anchored to a reinforced concrete slab. Our teams ensure that the H-beam bases are leveled and secured using heavy-duty chemical or expansion anchors to handle the moment forces generated when a fully loaded drawer is extended.
Secure anchoring is critical: A technician installs expansion bolts to fix the heavy-duty base to the concrete floor.
Q1: Can we store delicate polished stainless steel tubes on these racks without damage?
Yes. We recommend adding UHMW (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) strips to the cantilever arms. This plastic lining prevents metal-on-metal contact, ensuring the surface finish (Ra) of your hygienic tubes remains perfect.
Q2: What is the cycle time to retrieve a bundle?
With a motorized rack, extending a drawer takes about 30-45 seconds. The crane pick takes another 1-2 minutes. Total cycle time is often under 3 minutes, compared to 15-20 minutes for digging out buried material with a forklift.
Q3: Does this system require special power requirements?
The motorized systems typically run on standard industrial 3-phase power. We configure the voltage (e.g., 380V/480V) to match your facility's existing infrastructure.
Q4: Can we mix different lengths of material in one bay?
Yes. The arms are spaced to support your longest material (e.g., 20ft / 6m bars). Shorter off-cuts or components can be stored on the same level, provided they bridge at least two arms for stability, or by using steel decking/baskets on the arms.
Q5: Why use Motorized over Manual Crank-Out?
Manual crank-out is excellent for loads up to 6,000 lbs (3 tons). However, for heavier loads (up to 11,000 lbs/5 tons) or high-frequency picking environments where operator fatigue is a concern, the motorized system offers superior speed and ergonomics.
