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Rack toppling

Rack toppling

Rack toppling

(OP)
I'm designing a rack for material handling, 5' high, casters, 3lb of parts hang from the top + self weight.

Is there a good reference for minimum moment/angle/displacement to topple it? I was thinking about 2' wide at base, like a hat rack or IV stand.

RE: Rack toppling

My old engineering mechanics book (R.C. Hibbeler) discusses tipping in the chapter about friction. Start by drawing a free body diagram to determine what force will cause a moment large enough to exceed equilibrium.

RE: Rack toppling

What always worries me about these types of things is "sudden stopping".

Say you were pushing it along and it hits a bump in the floor or better yet a 2x4.  Then not only does the weight of the rack and material come into play - but you trying to stop yourself by psuing even more on the cart.

Just a thought

RE: Rack toppling

moon161,

   I asked this question in the structural engineering forum.

   thread507-255357: Tipping Hazard
 

               JHG

RE: Rack toppling

Don't forget the casters will always work against you, ie design for worst case - wheels aligned toward the CG

Engineering is the art of creating things you need, from things you can get.

RE: Rack toppling

Also dont forget that it will be loaded at maximum unbalance fairly often - despite how you tell people to load it.

Will Walters
Sheffield UK
Designer of machine tools - user of modified screws

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