Stop sacrificing your surface finish. For manufacturers dealing with high-purity stainless steel tubing and heavy bar stock, the debate isn't just about storage—it's about yield. Vertical A-frames might work for PVC or light aluminum trim, but when you are handling 3,000kg bundles of polished hygienic tubes, gravity is an enemy, not a friend. Discover why horizontal roll-out technology is the only viable option for heavy-duty, damage-free metal logistics.
In the metal fabrication and steel service center industry, particularly for those supplying hygienic sectors like food, dairy, and pharmaceuticals (similar to the high standards at GHWA), the integrity of the material is paramount. We often see facility managers debating Vertical pipe storage vs horizontal roll out. Let's settle this with engineering logic relevant to heavy-duty steel applications.
Vertical storage (typically A-Frames) relies on leaning materials against a central column. While this has a small footprint for lightweight items, it presents a critical failure point for heavy industrial use: Point Loading and Surface Damage. When you store heavy stainless steel tubes vertically, the entire weight of the tube rests on a single point at the bottom. This causes deformation. Furthermore, "picking" a specific tube from a vertical stack often results in metal-on-metal sliding, ruining the Ra surface finish required for sanitary compliance.
In contrast, Telescopic Cantilever Racks store materials horizontally, distributing the weight evenly across multiple support arms. This eliminates bowing and end-deformation.
More importantly, the roll-out mechanism allows for "Pick-and-Drop" operations rather than "Slide-and-Pull." By extending the drawer fully, your overhead crane can lower nylon slings directly around the bundle and lift it vertically. There is zero friction between the tubes, ensuring your polished stainless steel remains pristine from receipt to the laser cutter.
Precision control: Electric roll-out racks allow operators to access specific layers without manual handling, preserving surface quality.
Vertical storage racks effectively prohibit the use of overhead cranes for picking specific items. You are forced to handle materials manually or wrestle them out with a forklift—a recipe for back injuries and "avalanche" accidents where a stack tips forward.
Our Roll Out Cantilever system is engineered specifically for facilities utilizing EOT (Electric Overhead Traveling) cranes. Since the drawers extend 100% out of the rack structure, the crane hook has unobstructed access to the load. This is crucial for handling 20ft (6m) lengths of heavy bar stock or pipe that are dangerous to balance on forklift tines.
Standard static cantilever racks require wide aisles (often 12-15 feet) to allow a forklift to turn 90 degrees with a long load. Vertical racks require floor space for the "lean" angle and personnel access.
By switching to a crank-out or electric roll-out system, you eliminate the need for forklift maneuvering lanes. You only need enough space for the operator to walk or the drawer to extend. This typically results in recovering 50% of your floor space—space that can be reallocated for new CNC machines or welding stations.
Crane Accessibility: Unobstructed vertical access allows for safe handling of long heavy loads without forklifts.
| Feature | Vertical A-Frame | Roll-Out Cantilever (Our Solution) |
|---|---|---|
| Material Suitability | Lightweight trim, PVC, single aluminum extrusions. | Heavy steel bundles, solid bar stock, thick-wall tubing (Up to 11,000 lbs/level). |
| Surface Protection | Poor. Requires sliding/dragging material causing scratches. | Excellent. Vertical lift-off via crane. No friction. |
| Handling Equipment | Manual Handling (High Risk). | Overhead Crane / Vacuum Lifter (High Safety). |
| Inventory Visibility | Poor. Rear items are buried (Last-In-First-Out). | Excellent. Every drawer is accessible independently. |
Implementing a crank out cantilever rack isn't just about buying steel; it's about buying a machine. Our systems utilize heavy-duty bearings and solid steel transmission shafts, not flimsy rollers that seize up under load. This ensures that even when fully loaded with 6,600 lbs of stainless steel, a single operator can crank the drawer open with minimal effort.
For high-volume centers, the electric drive option allows for seamless integration with automated workflows, further reducing cycle times between storage and the saw.
Industrial Grade Mechanics: Heavy-duty bearings ensure smooth operation even under multi-ton loads.
Q1: We store polished 304/316L stainless steel tubes. Will the rack arms scratch the material?
A: No. We offer optional UHMW (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) liners for the cantilever arms. This provides a non-marring surface that protects the Ra finish of your hygienic tubes. Combined with crane lifting, scratches are virtually eliminated.
Q2: What is the maximum length of pipe we can store?
A: Our systems are modular. We frequently deploy racks for standard 20ft (6m) and 24ft lengths. By adding vertical columns, we can support virtually any length of material while maintaining structural rigidity.
Q3: Can this system handle solid steel bar stock? It is much denser than tubing.
A: Absolutely. This is where Roll Out Cantilever racks excel over vertical storage. We have heavy-duty configurations rated for up to 11,000 lbs (5,000 kg) per arm level, specifically designed for dense solid bar stock storage.
Q4: How much aisle space do I need in front of the rack?
A: You generally only need enough space equal to the depth of the drawer (typically 3-4 feet) plus a safe walkway for the operator. Since you are loading from above with a crane, you do not need the 12+ foot turning radius required by a sideloader forklift.
Q5: Do I need to bolt this to the floor?
A: Yes. Due to the cantilevered forces when drawers are extended, proper anchoring is mandatory for safety. We provide heavy-duty expansion bolts and a detailed foundation plan to ensure your concrete slab can handle the point loads.
