As new devices enter the computing and networking world, you may discover amazing systems that don't fit with your equipment storage mounts. Some new companies may have developed their own standards with plans to change the market, while other devices may not have been designed for server or data center use. Take a look at a few difficult situations caused by problems with standards and how sheet metal fabrication professionals can help.

Non-Standard Devices With Standard Storage

The simple problem is that a device won't fit properly. In standard server rack designs, a device is secured by at least four corners of support and three sides. The balanced support holds the device in place on a shelf, then secures the device with screws or bolts to protect the device from being bumped off the rack.

If the device isn't close in size and shape for the server rack, it's easier for the device to fall off or suffer damage as the weight burdens the bolts unevenly. Although there are metal shelves that can be installed to simply stack the devices, a technician could walk by and bump the device or snag against a cable. The device could fall or shake violently in the rack, leading to expensive damage.

In devices that aren't designed for network use, you could be working with plastic cases that may crack or bend under pressure. Modifying the case can expose sensitive components to dust or change the cooling design of the device. 

Some companies have proprietary storage racks for their devices, but you could be wasting space by buying racks for every new standard. Multiple racks with only one or two devices in a six-foot or more rack is poor resource management when it comes to making the most out of your data center floor space.

Metal Fabrication For Custom Storage

Instead of getting a custom fit or risking damage from improvised storage, a sheet metal fabrication team can take the dimensions of your devices and design a system that stores them all. 

Fabricators can create a rack that fits the largest devices with cage system, which allows you to put devices in a locked container. Smaller devices can have their own custom cases for security and to avoid being knocked around in over-sized cases, and many of the cages can be interchangeable.

Clamp systems can be designed to leave the devices exposed without a full-body case, but with the bottom half of the devices held in place on four sides. A clamp system may still have the risk of being pulled out of place, but other safeguards such as cross bars over the top of the device or security straps can hold the devices in place.

Contact a steel fabrication professional to discuss other ideas for keeping as many different devices in as few equipment racks as possible.