Custom data center racks and rack enclosures

A rack is a set of interfaces as well as a metal structure. Server rails, shelves, power equipment, doors and cable paths must fit within the same assembly. An outside height and width alone do not define a usable rack. The drawing package should locate the mounting rails and identify the intended equipment and its mounting hardware.

Specify the applicable edition of EIA-310 when your rack program uses that standard. It addresses rack mounting interfaces, including hole patterns and internal dimensions. A reference to EIA-310 is a design requirement to review. It is not a claim that every custom rack or panel on this site has been tested or accepted to that standard.

Small part variations can add up when rails, cross members and panels form a tall rack. Identify the primary datums and the assembled dimensions that matter. Show rail parallelism, squareness and the distance between mounting faces as required by the design. Explain which checks apply before welding, after welding and after the finish has been added.

Do not rely on a general title block tolerance to describe every fit. Call out the critical hole pattern and the surfaces that locate the equipment. Give the reviewer the mating part drawing where needed. TODO: Rich must confirm the supported tolerance range for the selected process and rack design. No standard rack tolerance is promised on this page.

Paint and other finishes affect more than appearance. The drawing should show the points used for bonding and grounding, the required hardware and the surfaces that need masking. Identify threaded holes, mounting faces and labels that must remain clear. State how finished contact areas should be protected during packing and shipment.

The equipment designer defines the grounding arrangement and its acceptance test. Our fabrication review needs those details in writing. A bare metal patch is not a complete grounding design. If a shelf or door needs a bond strap, include the exact part and connection method in the assembly bill of materials. Confirm who supplies and tests the finished arrangement.

A rack enclosure can include side panels, doors, shelves, filler panels and brackets. Show the swing or removal path for each access panel. Include cable entry cutouts and the edge treatment needed around them. Confirm whether a panel must open with adjacent racks already installed. These details help keep the fabrication scope tied to the installed layout.

The buyer should define airflow openings and any blanking requirements. Send the approved vent pattern rather than a general request for a cooling panel. If the rack must carry liquid cooling hardware, include the mounting points and clearance zones. The rack fabricator should work from the equipment design rather than select a thermal solution from a rack density figure.

State the finish system, color, texture and allowed appearance limits. Ask us about powder coat before making it a required delivery assumption. Its route and availability are not yet confirmed. Airless spray paint is part of the Irving equipment set. The quote must identify the finish actually offered and any steps carried out through a separate finishing route.

Tell us whether the rack should ship assembled, as a frame with loose panels, or as a labeled kit. Define the packing needed to protect painted faces and mounting rails. State any handling limits or site receiving rules. Inspection can then focus on the form in which the rack will be delivered, not just its separate metal parts.

Rack rails, panels, shelves and doors must fit as a complete unit. Show the mounting pattern and the datums that control its position. Check the dimensions that accumulate as the frame grows in height. A production route should connect the formed parts, joints, finish and final inspection to the fit required by the approved rack drawing.

Rack fabrication starts with the cut and formed parts that establish the mounting interfaces. Our Florida plant has a Mazak laser and CNC press brakes, while Irving has an Amada 3.5 kW CO2 laser and an Accupress brake. Welding and finishing requirements determine the rest of the route. Rich reviews the complete rack drawing before confirming the plant and production plan.

Use the RFQ form to send your custom rack requirement. Include the company, contact name, email, plant location, quantity and target date. Attach a PDF, DXF or STEP file up to 25 MB. A dimensioned PDF should identify the current revision and the features that control fit. Add the material grade, thickness, finish and any inspection or packing notes.

Separate a first rack for fit review from the later production quantity. Include the delivery address, required date and person who can approve mounting, door or finish questions. Kevin Leonard handles accounts; Rich Fitzgerald handles production and sourcing. A submitted drawing begins the review. The rack dimensions, acceptance requirements and schedule must be agreed before production is committed.