Storage efficiency and maximizing access corridor are indispensable when it comes to the warehouses. Businesses have options, when dealing with bulky, long, or odd-shaped items, from a flexible and highly-functional design solution: cantilever racking. This racking system is, therefore, able to streamline operations and maximize storage facilities-whether you're in construction, wholesale distribution, or manufacturing.
What is cantilever racking?
Cantilever racking is a particular storage system conducive to storing long or oversized products, which, therefore, could not be supported by other shelving systems. This racking system comprises vertical columns with arms extending horizontally outwards, thus enabling products to be placed directly on the arms unhindered.
Cantilever racks, in contrast, embrace an open design and provide easy accessibility to stored items from both sides of the rack. Therefore, this becomes the ideal choice for such goods as pipes, lumber, furniture, and other bulky items.
Advantages of cantilever racking
1. Maximize storage space
Cantilever racks are made to accommodate long and heavy products that tend to occupy larger storage areas. This eliminates the restrictions that conventional racks face in terms of shelving depth and width with the idea of optimizing the vertical space for storage.
2. Enhanced Accessibility
Cantilever racking is designed to be open, thereby allowing complete visibility and easy access for the stored item. As a result, the retrieval process is faster, leading to reduced operational downtime and thus boosting efficiency.
3. Flexible
Cantilever racking systems can be altered according to different sizes of products and storage requirements. The arms can be adjusted, thus allowing the change of configuration for different load sizes, making the system much flexible.
4. Durability
Cantilever racks are made of heavy-duty steel with a property of strength and durability that would support large heavy items safely and securely. Thus, they would have longevity and prove to be a good investment for the firm.
5. Economical
Due to their space-efficient and flexible nature, cantilever racks are comparatively lesser upfront in cost than other storage systems, thus being greatly cost-effective for the companies.
Ideal Uses for Cantilever Racking
Cantilever racking finds use in a number of industries where the efficient storage of bulky, long, or irregularly shaped items is involved. The following are some ideal applications:
• Building Materials and Lumber: Ideal for storing large construction materials such as timbers, pipes, and steel rods.
• Furnitures: Another excellent option for the rows of long furniture pieces such as tables, chairs, or sofas.
• Industrial Equipment: For the oversized industrial components and manufacturing equipment.
• Wholesale Distribution: Ideal in distribution warehouses for pipes, rods, or other long products.
Cantilever racking functions on the principle that metal cantilever arms extend out from vertical steel columns. The arms are adjustable to different heights, depending on the size of the product. The positioning allows the fork-lift trucks to operate easily from the front or rear for loading and unloading heavy items onto the cantilever racks.
Products are placed on the cantilever arms, which can accommodate the weight and length of these heavy or long products. The open design of cantilever racking ensures uninterrupted visibility and access so that picking workers can quickly identify the load and access it.
Cantilever Racking Systems Have Multiple Types
• Single-Sided Cantilever Racking: The single-sided cantilever is appropriate for such cases as products stored against a wall or in a narrow aisle where access to the product is required only from one side.
• Double-Sided Cantilever Racking: This design yields maximum storage efficiency wherever materials must be accessed from both sides.
Factors To Consider In Selecting Cantilever Racking
The selection of a cantilever racking system to suit special needs must consider such factors as:
• Load capacity: Ensure whichever handling system is to be used is capable of carrying the weight of the product(s).
• Arm length and spacing: Select the appropriate arm length and spacing based on the size and shape of the product(s) being stored.
• Warehouse layout and aisle width: Specify the warehouse layout, allowing enough room for loaders and other equipment to operate.
• Height and vertical storage: Consider how high you'd like to store products and how good the vertical space in the warehouse is.
Installation and Maintenance Tips
To make the most out of your cantilever racking system setup and its advantages, these are a few installation and maintenance tips:
• Professional Installation: Ensure the proper and safe installation of your cantilever racking by hiring the professionals.
• Regular Inspections: Look for wear and tear on a regular basis so that appropriate measures can be taken to avoid safety hazards.
• Routine Maintenance: To keep the racking system in good shape to enable it to support products for years, it should be cleaned and maintained.
Conclusion
Cantilever rack storage gives you maximum utilization of the warehouse area along with easy and efficient product access. It truly offers the greatest adaptability, strength, and cost-effectiveness for companies ranging from construction to wholesale distribution.
