Designing a custom rack for a freezer can be challenging, but at Aviamax, we have over 30 years of industry experience, offering customised solutions and advice to help you utilise your space effectively, whatever you are storing, and whatever you store it in.
Where do you start?
WHAT ARE YOU STORING, AND IN WHAT CONTAINER?
The starting point is always what you will be storing; exactly what you will be storing? Also, you need as much information as possible about the storage containers.
What are the exact dimensions of the storage containers being stored?
What are the exact dimensions of the storage containers being stored?
Are you storing one type of container or more? If different containers are being held, how many of each?
How many do you need to store?
Sometimes it may be easier to have bins on a freezer shelf, so different types of containers or difficult-to-rack containers can be stored in a single rack.
WHAT FREEZER DO YOU HAVE?
What is the make and model of the freezer? There will be standard racking for common makes and models of freezers, which will make customisation much more straightforward.
What you will need to know
Internal compartment dimensions.
Is it an upright or chest freezer?
Configuration
Number of shelves
Are the shelves adjustable
Shelf style/shape
Distance between shelves – always check the same
Check if there are any intrusions into the space within the chamber, such as inner doors, hinges, probes etc
Are the corners curved or right-angles?
ACCESS TO SAMPLES
It would help if you thought about how you will access the samples, and who will access the samples. There are different styles of racks; for instance, a rack for an upright freezer can have drawers which pull out, or users may pull out a complete rack and access samples from the side. Some users may find the weight of a fully-loaded rack too heavy to handle.
***
HOW WILL YOU ORGANISE YOUR SAMPLES?
Some freezers are used by just one group for one type of tube, whereas another freezer may hold many samples for different groups and individuals. It may be helpful to have label holders on the rack or a numbering system prefabricated on the frame.
Certain freezer brands may include integrated inventory management software, for example, Haier Biomedical's touchscreen series of ULT freezers
DO YOU WANT STAINLESS STEEL OR ALUMINIUM?
There are pros and cons to each metal; both are well-suited to this application, although there are differences which may make one more preferable over another, depending on your application; see here to find out more.
In general, Aviamax manufactures stainless steel racks as they are strong, durable, highly corrosion resistant and have a smooth finish.