Shipping containers face a constant struggle to optimize storage space and accessibility within a confined area. Organization of stored material is also important for accurate inventory and streamlined loading/unloading. To create an improved solution to container storage, a leading designer in storage containment wanted to design a racking system that maximized organization and storage for cargo.
In the past, storage containers were filled by piling materials on top of each other, lacking any sense of organization. Finding a specific part within the filled container was extremely tedious, as was organizing and unloading materials after they had been knocked around for a week while travelling to their destination. The design team set out to solve this problem by designing internal framing to store materials and maintain organization for the duration of the shipment. After this was completed, they began to seek out quality linear motion components that could be manually operated and endure the containment load and environment.
Our PBC Linear team decided on the Hevi-Rail® product line for the solution. Hevi-Rail components are known for their ability to thrive in tough applications under extreme loads. This is because they are composed of hardened steel and designed to provide an even dispersion of forces, allowing them to tolerate axial and radial loads up to 60 tons. For this application, Hevi-Rail components (bearing and profile rail) were installed into the shipping container framing to facilitate manually operated telescopic extension of the racking system. This ensured quick loading/unloading of material and increased access to all stored pieces. Also, due to the design of the Hevi-Rail bearings, the linear guide system did not require as much alignment and pre-load adjustment. This is because Hevi-Rail bearings float along their I-channel rails, reducing the cost over competing products that would need to be specifically pre-loaded for the application.
Once Hevi-Rail was installed into the container’s framework, the robust internal racking system could easily be extracted/retracted for up to 2.3 m (90") under 318 Kg (700 lbs.) cantilevered loads. This drastically improved loading/unloading and allowed personnel to have quick access to the materials they needed. Also, if the outer container shell was damaged, the racking design could be transferred into another container without re-sizing. This racking assembly is now a reliable method for organized shipment and perfect for long-term storage of a wide array of materials.
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