Racking systems built around the way your parts actually move.

A custom racking system is an engineered fixture designed around a specific part, finishing process, and production requirement. Unlike general-purpose racks, custom racks account for part geometry, weight, coating exposure, contact points, conveyor orientation, loading methods, line speed, and process temperature. Custom racking is commonly used in powder coating, anodizing, e-coat, electroplating, liquid painting, and other industrial finishing processes. The goal is to hold and present each part consistently while improving coating quality, production throughput, loading efficiency, rack density, and repeatability.

A custom rack is usually the better option when standard hooks or modular racking cannot consistently support the part or production process. Common signs include unstable hanging, poor grounding, inconsistent coating coverage, excessive contact marks, low part density, slow loading, frequent rework, or complex part geometry. Modular racking can be ideal when flexibility and fast configuration are the priorities. Custom racking becomes more valuable when production volume, part complexity, process conditions, or quality requirements justify a dedicated fixture designed specifically for the application.

Custom racking can improve powder coating quality by presenting every part in a consistent position and maintaining dependable electrical contact throughout the coating process. Proper rack design helps control grounding points, part spacing, coating access, contact marks, movement, and orientation. It can also reduce avoidable shadowing and help manage difficult coating areas, including recessed features and Faraday cage zones. Consistent part presentation supports more repeatable film build, fewer defects, less touch-up, and better first-pass yield.

Yes. A custom rack can increase throughput by fitting more parts within the available conveyor envelope, reducing wasted rack space, and making loading and unloading more repeatable. An engineered layout may also reduce operator adjustments, simplify part placement, improve line density, and decrease the time spent correcting unstable parts or inconsistent setups. When the rack is designed around the part and production process, manufacturers may be able to finish more parts per cycle without changing the coating line itself.

Custom industrial racking is used in automotive, agricultural equipment, power sports, aerospace, heavy machinery, appliances, electrical components, fabricated metal, architectural products, material handling, medical equipment, and general manufacturing. Any operation that needs to hold, transport, coat, plate, clean, anodize, paint, or otherwise finish parts consistently may benefit from engineered racking. The rack design is based on the part, process, line conditions, production volume, and required finished quality—not simply the industry name.

Helpful information includes part drawings or CAD files, dimensions, weight, production volume, finishing method, process temperature, conveyor orientation, line speed, available rack envelope, masking requirements, preferred contact points, and loading or unloading methods. Photos of the current setup, existing racks, finished parts, and known coating defects can also help. The more EPSI understands about the part and production process, the better the rack can be designed around coating exposure, grounding, handling, density, durability, and cost-per-part goals.

Yes. Custom racking can reduce defects associated with poor grounding, inconsistent part orientation, part movement, unsuitable contact locations, uneven spacing, and excessive rack interference. By holding each part securely and presenting it consistently, an engineered rack helps make the finishing process more repeatable across operators, shifts, and production runs. This can improve first-pass yield, reduce touch-up and scrap, and help prevent recurring quality problems caused by the fixture rather than the coating material or equipment.

Yes. EPSI supports custom racking for powder coating, e-coat, anodizing, electroplating, plating on plastic, PVD and vacuum coating, liquid painting, cleaning systems, PCB processing, and other industrial finishing or material-handling applications. Each process has different requirements related to electrical conductivity, chemistry, drainage, temperature, coating exposure, part orientation, and handling. The rack material, geometry, contact points, and construction should be selected for the specific process rather than treated as a one-size-fits-all solution.

In many cases, existing racks can be repaired, modified, stripped, reconfigured, or refurbished rather than completely replaced. Hooks, crossbars, contact points, frames, and other components may be updated to improve grounding, rack life, part spacing, or loading efficiency. The right approach depends on the rack's condition, construction, process exposure, and production requirements. EPSI can help evaluate whether refurbishment, modular modification, replacement components, or a new custom rack provides the best long-term value.

A custom rack review may be worthwhile if your operation experiences slow loading, low part density, inconsistent grounding, unstable hanging, coating defects, excessive masking, frequent touch-up, damaged parts, high scrap rates, or underused conveyor space. It can also help when introducing a new part, increasing production volume, changing finishing processes, or standardizing setups across multiple operators or shifts. EPSI can review the part, line conditions, existing fixture, and throughput goals to determine whether custom, modular, hook-based, or refurbished racking is the best next step.