Finite Engineering Certifies Safety for SPS Ideal Solutions

The Project: Stacking Safely

When SPS Ideal Solutions needed to certify that a stackable rack for coils weighing 15,000 lbs. each could be used without compromising safety, they called on Finite Engineering of Overland Park, Kansas. The rack was a design required by a client of SPS that used flat coil stock for steel fabrication. It would support the stacking of two coils with a 3-to-1 safety factor.

SPS Ideal Solutions is a manufacturer-supported supplier of steel shipping racks. Their products are used in industries such as packaging film, steel, aluminum coils and vehicle panels. For this project, they planned to use their Solid Works finite analysis program.

The team at SPS was confident that their design model would meet the requirements of the client, and the load carrying specifications was within their expertise. They had full confidence that the design was structurally sound, but the client required a design review conducted by a Professional Engineer.

The impact of the project was significant, with plans to roll out the design to 14 plants across the country. The client needed the safety of the rack to be certain.

The Solution: A Stamp of Certification

SPS Ideal Solutions had a good relationship with Finite Engineering, having worked with them in the past on an ocean transport solution. They knew the engineers at Finite would be able to assess the load and assist them in addressing safety concerns. SPS requested that Finite validate the design and certify it with their Professional Engineering Stamp to signify that there were possible faults with the design.

The project included numerous factors that needed to be considered during the assessment. The client of SPS was altering the design in order to meet safety requirements, with the tubing design required to be below 900 lbs. This was intended to improve the cost-effectiveness of welding times, in addition to meeting the load limits on automated weld centers for manufacturing.

It was determined that in order to meet the requirements, the stacking of the coil must remain at two high, with a safety factor at three. In addition, there were weight limits on the powder coating operations, as well as line hanging restrictions on the powder coating.

The team at Finite Engineering is accustomed to working with clients on projects that are entirely new to them, with innovations that have just been developed. SPS Ideal Solutions had introduced a bayonet design for a removable corner. This would be a strong corner for transportation, powder coating and a welding line.

As a result of their partnership with Finite Engineering, SPS Ideal Solutions was able to present their client with a P.E.-certified solution. The project resulted in four prototypes designed for the clients’ review at two of the 14 plans, followed by an order of approximately 3,000 units.

Joe DiSabantonio of SPS Ideal Solutions said, "Even though we had the in-house expertise to assess the safety of our design, our client required a Professional Engineer Stamp. We partnered with Finite Engineering to complete the assessment, resulting in an approved design and a large order for our company."?