Storing 9-meter polished stainless steel tubes or delicate aluminum profiles on the floor is a recipe for disaster. Surface scratches destroy Ra values, and "fishing" for the right heat number with a forklift wastes valuable laser-cutting uptime. Our Telescopic Cantilever Rack system allows you to access long, heavy profiles directly from above using your shop crane—eliminating damage and reclaiming 50% of your floor space.
In the high-purity piping and precision metal fabrication industry, the integrity of your raw material is everything. If you are handling 9m long stainless steel profiles, such as 304L or 316L pharmaceutical-grade tubes, you know that a single deep scratch from a forklift tine can turn a prime raw material into scrap. The required surface roughness (Ra) values for hygienic applications do not forgive mishandling.
Traditional static cantilevers force your operators into a dangerous dance. To access a specific bundle of tubes located at the bottom or middle of a rack, they must perform "secondary handling"—moving the top layers aside. This friction causes surface abrasion. Furthermore, maneuvering a 9-meter long load with a forklift in a narrow aisle increases the risk of the load swinging, bending (deflection), or colliding with uprights.
The crank out cantilever rack changes the physics of retrieval. Instead of sliding forks into a rack, the rack drawer comes out to you. Each level can be extended 100% clear of the column structure.
This capability is critical for 9m profiles because it allows for overhead lifting. Your facility likely already uses an Overhead Crane (EOT) or a vacuum lifter for feeding your laser cutters or saws. With our system, the crane can lower straps or vacuum pads directly onto the center of gravity of the 9m tube bundle. There is no dragging, no friction, and zero chance of the load tipping off forklift tines.
Storing profiles that are 9 meters (approx. 30 feet) long requires a rigid structure to prevent sagging between arms. Our systems are modular, allowing us to add column uprights to support the specific deflection criteria of your tubing or bars. Whether you need a 3-column setup for rigid steel beams or a 5-column setup to prevent flexible PVC or thin-wall aluminum from bowing, the system adapts.
The operation is designed for ergonomics. Even when loaded with 3,000kg of solid bar stock, the roll-out cantilever mechanism utilizes high-grade bearings and a gear-rack transmission, enabling a single operator to crank the drawer open with minimal effort.
Below are the typical specifications for a system designed to house 9-meter profiles in a heavy industrial setting:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Material Length Capacity | Up to 12,000mm (Standard support for 6m, 9m, 12m) |
| Load Capacity Per Level | 1,000 kg - 5,000 kg (Customizable per arm count) |
| Extension | 100% Full Extension |
| Operation Mode | Manual Crank or Electric Motorized |
| Compatible Handling Equipment | Overhead Crane, Gantry Crane, Vacuum Lifter |
| Surface Protection | Powder Coated (Optional UHMW liners for delicate stainless) |
Stability is non-negotiable when dealing with high-aspect-ratio loads like 9m pipes. As shown above, our installation teams or your local contractors secure the heavy-duty I-beam base directly into your concrete slab using industrial expansion anchors. This anchoring, combined with the structural steel construction, ensures that the center of gravity remains managed even when multiple drawers are fully extended.
By switching to a telescopic cantilever rack, you are not just buying a shelf; you are upgrading your production workflow to a "Crane-First" methodology that protects your inventory and your workers.
Q1: Can this system handle flexible 9m materials without them sagging?
A: Yes. For flexible 9m materials (like thin-wall stainless tubing or plastic extrusions), we increase the number of vertical columns and arms. This reduces the span between support points to prevent deflection and permanent deformation of your stock.
Q2: We use vacuum lifters for our polished sheets and tubes to avoid scratches. Is this compatible?
A: Absolutely. This is the primary use case. Because the arm extends 100% out into the aisle, you have complete vertical clearance to lower a vacuum lifter directly onto the material surface without obstruction from the rack level above.
Q3: How much aisle space do I need for a 9m profile rack?
A: Significantly less than a forklift system. Since you don't need a wide turning radius for a forklift carrying a 9m load sideways, your aisle only needs to be wide enough for the operator to walk or for the drawer to extend. You can often reduce aisle width from 6 meters down to 2-3 meters.
Q4: Do I need electric motors for 9m loads?
A: Not necessarily. Our manual crank system is geared such that a single operator can move loads up to 3,000kg. However, for 9m racks that might carry extremely heavy solid bar stock (exceeding 5 tons per level), or for high-frequency automated cells, the electric version is recommended.
Q5: Can we store mixed lengths (e.g., 6m and 9m) on the same rack?
A: Yes. You can store shorter lengths on a longer rack. We can also install intermediate dividers or decking on specific levels to handle off-cuts and shorter stock, keeping your inventory organized by heat number or SKU.
