Secure Storage for Aerospace Alloys with Roll Out Cantilever Racks

In the aerospace and defense sectors, raw material inventory is a massive financial asset. Exotic alloys like Titanium, Inconel, and 7075 Aluminum are not only expensive but require strict adherence to quality standards like AS9100. Storing these high-value bars on traditional static racks creates unacceptable risks: difficult traceability and potential surface contamination from forklift tines. The Roll Out Cantilever Rack system addresses these specific compliance and safety needs. By allowing 100% full extension of the rack levels, warehouse managers gain complete visual access to heat numbers and lot codes without moving material. This visibility, combined with overhead crane access, ensures that sensitive alloys are handled with the precision required for flight-critical components. Parla con un esperto

Ensuring Material Traceability and Access

For aerospace manufacturers, inventory accuracy goes beyond counting quantities; it involves verifying material certifications and heat numbers before a bar is ever cut. In a static deep-stack rack, the bar you need is often buried behind others, making it impossible to read the identification stamped on the end without unloading the entire shelf.

The Roll Out Cantilever Rack solves this traceability challenge. Because the entire storage level cranks out into the aisle, inspectors and material handlers can view the end of every bar in the inventory. This immediate visual access drastically reduces the time spent searching for specific alloys and eliminates the error of picking the wrong material specification for a critical machining job.

High-strength bolted connections ensure rigid alignment for heavy aerospace bar stock.

Eliminating Surface Contamination

Handling soft metals like aluminum or reactive metals like titanium requires a gentle touch. Standard forklifts are blunt instruments; their steel tines can easily gouge soft aluminum surfaces or contaminate titanium with iron residue (ferrous contamination), which can lead to stress corrosion cracking in the final part.

By switching to a roll-out system, you remove the forklift from the retrieval equation entirely. The material is accessed from above using an overhead crane equipped with clean nylon slings or vacuum lifters. This “pick-and-place” methodology ensures that the raw material never scrapes against steel structural members or forklift tines, maintaining the pristine surface condition required for high-stress aerospace applications.

Precision Handling with Electric Drive Options

While manual crank systems are efficient for standard operations, high-volume aerospace facilities often require even smoother operation to prevent any sudden movements of heavy stock. Electric drive options provide consistent, steady extension and retraction speeds.

Integrated with variable frequency drives (VFDs) and PLC controls, these electric systems allow for “soft start” and “soft stop” functionality. This prevents the load from swinging or shifting during the opening process, adding an extra layer of safety when handling bars that may cost tens of thousands of dollars each. The electric system transforms the storage rack into a precision machine tool accessory.

Precision PLC control systems allow for smooth, automated access to heavy inventory.

Domande frequenti

1. How does this system help with AS9100 compliance?
The primary benefit is improved organization and traceability. By allowing full visual access to every bar’s identification stamp without moving other stock, it reduces the risk of material mix-ups and simplifies regular inventory audits required by aerospace standards.

2. Can the racks be customized for very short or very long aerospace parts?
Yes. We can adjust the spacing of the support columns (arms). For long extrusions (e.g., wing spars), we use multiple columns to prevent sagging. For shorter stock, we can increase the number of arms or add steel decking to create a continuous surface.

3. Is the electric drive system necessary for titanium storage?
It is not strictly necessary, but it is recommended for loads exceeding 3,000 kg per level or for high-frequency environments. The manual crank is fully capable of moving heavy loads safely, but the electric drive offers improved ergonomics and consistent handling speeds.

4. What prevents the drawers from opening due to vibration?
Safety is paramount. Every drawer is equipped with a mechanical locking mechanism that engages automatically when the drawer is in the closed position. The drawer cannot roll out unless the operator actively disengages the lock.

5. Can these racks be installed in a climate-controlled room?
Absolutely. Many of our aerospace clients install these units in climate-controlled environments to prevent oxidation of sensitive alloys. The compact footprint of the roll-out system is especially valuable here, as climate-controlled square footage is expensive to build and maintain.