Unraveling the Benefits of Cantilever Racks in Warehouse Management

Understanding the Crucial Role of Cantilever Racks in Organizing Bulky and Unwieldy Items

Introduction:
Are you grappling with the dilemma of organizing bulky, awkward, and over-length materials across your warehouse? If yes, then let the versatile cantilever racking be your savior. Known for its unique design, where beams only anchor at one end, the cantilever rack is a common sight in lumber yards or plumbing supply warehouses where long and oddly-shaped items are stored. The rack's structure comprises vertical columns, bases, arms, and bracing, providing a reliable solution for storing heavyweight items such as lumber, furniture, metal pipes, PVC, plywood, steel bars, sheetrock, steel sheets, and even cars.

Different Styles of Cantilever Racks:
There are two prevalent styles of cantilever racks - single and double-sided. The double-sided cantilever racks permit storage on both sides but requires clearance on both sides of the racking. Single-sided cantilever racks can be positioned against a wall to save valuable floor space, although they do not offer as much storage as the double-sided style. The choice between the two depends on your storage needs and the type of items you wish to store.

Choosing the Right Cantilever Rack:
There are numerous options to consider when choosing a used cantilever rack. The arms, which act as the actual storage levels or shelves, require special attention. You need to determine the weight you will be putting on each arm and the type of material being stored. The two main styles of arms are straight and inclined. The inclined arm is preferred for rollable materials such as pipes, rolled carpets, and logs as it prevents products from falling. Straight arms are preferred for materials with a flat bottom or those that cannot roll. The capacity of a cantilever arm is determined by its length and the metal gauge used.

Understanding Cantilever Uprights:
Cantilever uprights are vertically constructed support columns forming the backbone of a cantilever rack. These uprights are fixed onto cantilever bases and flanked by cantilever arms, forming a complete bay of cantilever rack. These uprights are available in different heights with varying shelving weight capacities. Therefore, taking precise weight and size measurements of the items to be stored is critical.

Calculating Weight Capacity:
You can calculate the weight capacity required for the uprights by multiplying the number of arms on each upright by the weight capacity of each of those arms. For instance, for double-sided cantilever arms with a weight capacity of 1,500 lbs each, if you have 12 arms, you would need an upright with a weight capacity of 18,000 lbs.

The Role of Brace Sets:
Brace sets provide additional structure to the uprights. The number of braces needed depends on the number of arms, the height, the capacity of the arms and the uprights, and the length of the storage items. Brace sets are not intended to be load-bearing but are designed to stabilize the rack horizontally.

Selecting the right cantilever rack can seem daunting with so many factors to consider. However, professional guidance can help design the right storage racking system that best suits your needs. The goal is to understand your specific material handling needs before recommending a certain configuration. This way, you can maximize the efficiency of your warehouse storage and management system.