Check Fixture Storage

Label Maker, if the fixtures are big enough, or if they're to small, label on the rack, or just label on the rack, or if you got metal fixtures, metal stamps

https://www.grainger.com/product/49VX20?ef_id=CjwKCAjw-e2EBhAhEiwAJI5jgwaFNddaHj6ZIuYu5BtCB9rN46zvUsLgpa89sV-Olg8nw8M8y4zilhoCBkIQAvD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!2966!3!496359974092!!!g!471328313928!&gucid=N:N:PS:Paid:GGL:CSM-2295:4P7A1P:20501231&gclid=CjwKCAjw-e2EBhAhEiwAJI5jgwaFNddaHj6ZIuYu5BtCB9rN46zvUsLgpa89sV-Olg8nw8M8y4zilhoCBkIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.grainger.com/product/20XW96?ef_id=CjwKCAjw-e2EBhAhEiwAJI5jg3cVSVL1fKlKbtWHRgaeQLDrZBiJFgJdEeaKHqyWqEXFAEWtdl_kHxoCBzEQAvD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!2966!3!496359974110!!!g!470577457359!&gucid=N:N:PS:Paid:GGL:CSM-2295:4P7A1P:20501231&gclid=CjwKCAjw-e2EBhAhEiwAJI5jg3cVSVL1fKlKbtWHRgaeQLDrZBiJFgJdEeaKHqyWqEXFAEWtdl_kHxoCBzEQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

They tried something like that here. BIG huge rack (shelves) that could hold many tons and tons of weight. Steel pallets to put the fixtures on to load onto the shelves.

We are not production, we are a build plant, so, fixtures rotate in and out in a matter of months. At least half the fixtures wouldn't fit between the shelves, so they couldn't be stored there. Also, it was a tight, TIGHT area, so they got a small fork truck to get in and out with the pallets. Yeah, then every time I needed to unload/load a pallet & fixture, I had to wander all over the shop (pretty big shop) trying to find the fork truck that was supposed to be left up there so I could get the fixtures on and off. Yeah, didn't work very well.

Can't use a crane unless it is a single 'high' shelf with room under for carts, ya know, put the frequent fixtures on carts under the shelf, and the seldom fixtures on the shelf. You can buy/make a set of forks that hang from a crane, but you are limited to clear-above for those.

We already stamp the bases and place certification stickers on all our fixtures. The owner's concern is the look.

We currently do as you say, fixtures used often are on carts, fixtures not used as often go on the racks. The owner wants to make the fixture area look neat and organized with only fixtures used as needed on carts on the floor, all others on shelves. Your statements reflect what we have here, find that hilo, cramp space, the list goes on. I am thinking of my idea, but I know that any budget will not really happen. Still hoping someone has an out of the box idea that they use for storage and retrieval.

For a time, I worked for a company that used a vertical carousel for special tooling and fixturing. You can really cram a lot into a small space with it. The one I used was a lot smaller than the one pictured. I don't know how big your fixtures are, but something like this may work. I have no idea how much they cost, but there may be an affordable used/auction market for them.

The one downside to using one of these was that sometimes the unit would have mechanical problems and a lot of work was held up while we waited for someone to fix it. Like a lot of machines, it was great when it worked, but terrible when it didn't.

Want to update this post. First, let me thank Cris_C, great idea. I know I am late responding, (over a year), but there is a reason. I emailed the post to the owner of the company, never heard anything, then one day, the vertical machine was being installed, wow! After setup, it sat, no one took control. I finally went and started loading the machine with my co-worker, it took a week and we had to learn along the way. The machine loaded, it now came to the fear factor, people did not want to learn, but over time, the fear went and most said the machine works great. We did have one time we needed a tech come out to get the machine going, so the statement noted is true, overall, it is working great and condensed most fixtures we have into the machine. I would recommend this if you have a lot of fixtures. Large based fixtures will not work in the machine, the trays are long and narrow, check this out first. We setup an electric hoist and installed I-bolts in the base corners for easy install and removal. Each tray holds up to 1400 lbs., (so it states), we did test this, I suggest keeping the weight under 1000 lbs. We did bend the end flanges due to the weight. Height of what you put in makes a big difference, less height, more trays. I heard from the techs installing the machine that the cost is $125,000, just use as a reference. Hope this helps someone else.

Odda

Morton Welding?