[NHCOLL-L:846] re: compactor systems

[Danny Shpeley]

    We recently (December, 2000) installed a compactor with 7 
carriages (steel frame deck) to hold 42 double door entomological 
cabinets (Steel Fixture, Model EB). Since each entomological cabinet 
has a seal for each of the doors, there is no problem with a seal 
between carriages, which appears to be a problem with long banks of 
open herbarium shelving.

    The manual system has low-rise steel rails and it is very easy to 
move 4 carriages as a unit (each carriage is loaded with approx. 6000 
pounds of cabinets and drawers). The cabinets and drawers for the 
other 3 carriages still have to be ordered, and I believe that all 7 
carriages could be moved together with very little effort. As was 
previous mentioned, the stops at the end of the rails are a tripping 
hazard. I will probably paint them bright red to make them more 
visible.

    Measurements are the most important aspect of any installation. 
Make sure that the representative comes to your museum so that they 
fully understand your needs. Overall, we are pleased with the 
results. The local vendor here in Edmonton, Alberta is Wilcor Systems 
Ltd. (ph. 780-438-2579, John deRuiter).

Danny
-- 


Danny Shpeley
Assistant Curator
Strickland Museum
Dept. of Biological Sciences
CW405 Bio. Sci. Bldg.
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9
Canada

phone: 780 492-0461
fax:   780 492-9234