This 3T-2G-20X12R 10-foot-long Hybrid One-Sided SpaceSaver from Steel Storage Systems has two powered receptacles (bottom) and one standard crank-out receptacle.

Powered rack system for long products reduces operator exertion

September 2019 - Effective use of space is a crucial element for proper storage and handling of material. A company can achieve higher storage density by stacking pallets on top of each other and placing them in aisles or using the floor space in the shipping and receiving department; however, in these scenarios, material can be lost or damaged in the constant shuffling. An alternative solution is to implement a system that combines dense storage principles with efficient retrieval.

SpaceSaver racks from Steel Storage Systems feature roll-out receptacles in which the material is stored. The racks provide immediate and safe access to material by rolling out into an open aisle. They can increase storage capacity by as much as five times as traditional racking systems and store product up to eight levels high.

According to the Commerce City, Colorado-based supplier, any item, whether it is one piece or an entire bundle, can be loaded or retrieved in about five minutes.

The standard SpaceSaver racks accommodate a wide variety of material types, sizes and weights.

Each rack is designed with a specific advantage for the end user, whether it be maximum weight capacity or largest dimension to house long pieces of material. SpaceSavers can be modified to suit most end-user applications and specifications to improve material handling safety and efficiency.

One recent application involved a custom 5T-4G-36X12R 32-foot-long Space-Saver cantilever rack for an international aerospace company, which featured powered roll-out receptacles.

The aerospace company wanted to duplicate one of its three existing manual SpaceSaver racks for storing 24-foot-long alloy bars but increase the capacity to 32-foot-long bars. The additional length and weight per receptacle would triple the effort required to crank each one in and out manually. The client was concerned that the added effort would elevate risk of injury and operator exertion and decided to upgrade to a powered model.

The powered SpaceSaver rack enhances safety by eliminating the risk of repetitive motion injury. Additional benefits of the powered model include faster receptacle extension and retraction. A 36-inch-wide powered receptacle takes about eight seconds to fully extend or retract, while cranking takes between 10 and 15 seconds.

Each roll-out level is equipped with a motor controlled by push buttons located on the front of each rack. The powered option takes the repetitive motion injury possibility out of play, reducing the risk of injury for workers. Additional modifications were also made to permit installation out of doors.

According to Steel Storage Systems, this option can contribute to safety and operational initiatives within companies, for a relatively modest increase in price.

“Reduction of operator repetitive injury risk during the manual crank-out operation was key. It was the primary justification for this purchase,” the company said of the aerospace customer. That customer acquired the four-grid model to store 4.5-meter material end to end in the same receptacle opening. “We proposed two grid models to assist with operator effort and reduce cost, but they decided on the powered option as a test phase for evaluation.” MM