Wire Shelves
Wire shelves are a particular type of wire product produced for both industrial and consumer use as storage or wire display units. The base surface upon which items are placed is composed of several interwoven or latticed strands of metal. Like all shelving, these serve to maximize vertical and horizontal spaces for the purpose of increased storage which allows for faster process flows and increased productivity in a number of industrial and commercial settings. Wire shelving is also popular in residential areas in need of organization or storage.
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Applications and Benefits of Wire Shelves
Often used as presentation shelves, the transparent appearance provided by the porous wire rack construction is less imposing than alternative shelving units. This also makes wire shelves well suited to medical and food processing industries as they are less prone to dust collection. In factories and warehouses that might have expansive storage, wire is often the material of choice for shelving as this same openness is more compatible with building and fire safety codes as emergency sprinkler systems are not impeded by the open surfaces. Air circulation is likewise unhindered. While water and air may freely pass through a wire shelf, the porous construction does not mean that this type of shelf cannot be closed for better product security. In addition to structural wiring, protective wire grids or wire screens are a common feature of wire shelves that further contain and protect inventory while maintaining visibility.
Design of Wire Shelves
For both open and closed wire shelf designs, it is important to consider the slit or gap size between the wires. The slit size should be smaller than the smallest item a shelf will hold to prevent such items from falling through or becoming stuck. The total weight of inventory should also be considered as it must not exceed the load bearing capacity of a given unit or mechanical failure due to overload may occur with dangerous and costly consequences. Such concerns are relative to the materials, size and manufacturing processes used to construct a given shelf. Ferrous metals, nonferrous metals, precious metals and alloys such as aluminum, copper, brass, steel and stainless steel are among the most common materials used for wire shelving. The strands themselves are produced through any of a number of wire forming processes including rolling, extrusion or stamping. Drawing is among the most commonly used techniques in which a metal thread is passed through a series of progressively smaller dies until the desired gauge or thickness is achieved. Rounded, square or shaped wires are then shaped as needed through manual or CNC pressing and stamping processes before being welded or woven into the desired grid pattern. While the materials and construction of wire shelving is important, the dimensions of a shelf and inventory should also be considered to ensure optimization of storage space.