Materials such as profiles, pipes, bars, extrusions, and long sheets do not fit on conventional shelves: they are either laid flat on the floor or retrieved one by one with a forklift from cantilever racks. In both cases, there is significant space waste, heavy forklift traffic, and a high risk of damage. Automated storage systems designed for long materials solve all three of these problems at once. The ICAM product line offers two solutions: the Maxi L and the Maxi STC. This article explains how both work and when to choose each one.
Maxi L: Vertical storage tower with drawers
Maxi L consists of two storage towers facing each other and an automatic elevator operating between them. Materials are placed in large drawers mounted on internal rails; the elevator retrieves the desired drawer and brings it to the loading and unloading station. The operator always works from the same location at an ergonomic height; there is no need to reach for the shelf using a forklift or crane. The structure is a self-supporting steel frame that can be installed indoors or outdoors and can be expanded later in 500 mm increments.
Maxi L Technical Specifications
| Drawer load capacity | 1,000 or 3,000 kg |
| Internal width of the drawer | 3,500 / 4,100 / 6,100 / 6,600 mm |
| Drawer interior depth | 612 / 707 / 802 / 897 / 1,003 mm |
| Drawer edge height | 200–500 mm |
| Total system capacity | 80 metric tons |
| System width | 4,173 / 7,773 mm |
| System depth | 3,154 – 5,254 mm |
| System height | 4,000 – 15,000 mm (in 500 mm increments) |
| Operating temperature | 0–40 °C |
Profiles and pipes up to 6.6 meters in length, with a load capacity of up to 3 metric tons per drawer: The Maxi L is sufficiently sized for most aluminum profile, steel pipe, and structural steel warehouses. Inventory management principles such as FIFO and LIFO are implemented via the software; ERP and WMS integration is available.
Maxi STC: Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS) with stacking crane
Maxi STC operates on a different scale. In a storage aisle where metal racks are arranged in bays, a stacking crane that moves along the horizontal (X) and vertical (Y) axes places and retrieves loads. It handles materials up to 7 meters long, over 400 load units, and two load units simultaneously in a 100% automated cycle. Because it takes advantage of both the building’s height and length, it provides much higher storage density than traditional warehousing.
The racking system is configured according to the stored material. It is designed for metal service centers, aluminum extrusion plants, and large machinery manufacturers where manual processes create bottlenecks and a large number of load units are moved dozens of times a day.
Which one is right for you?
| Criterion | Maxi L | Maxi STC |
| Material length | Up to 6.6 m | Up to 7 m |
| Number of load units | Dozens of drawers | 400 or more cargo units |
| Motion Logic | The elevator brings the drawer | The stacking crane moves along the aisle |
| Typical user | Mold shop, machine manufacturing, medium-sized profile warehouse | Metal service center, extrusion, high-volume production |
| Expansion | Elevation Modules | Aisle and shelf slots |
In short: If you have a moderate range of inventory, limited space, and want to eliminate forklift traffic, choose the Maxi L; if you’re aiming for very high volume, constant inbound and outbound traffic, and full automation, choose the Maxi STC. If you’re storing sheet metal and panels, a third product—the Maxi T—comes into play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can it be installed outdoors?
Yes. Maxi L and Maxi T are self-supporting, enclosed steel structures designed for both indoor and outdoor installation. The components can be adapted even for conditions outside the climate limits specified in the special request.
How much space does it save?
The floor area is significantly reduced depending on the length of the material—whether it is laid on the floor or stored on a cantilever rack; the exact ratio is calculated during the site survey based on the material dimensions and ceiling height.
Estimate and Proposal
Delta Smart Warehouse helps you make the right choice between Maxi L and Maxi STC by measuring your long material inventory (profile types, lengths, weights, and daily movement volume) on-site. Contact us to schedule a consultation.