This blog looks at common storage options available today, what to consider when comparing them, and how Septimatech's Easy Changeover Cart can help bring more order, visibility, and flexibility to the plant floor.

Why Does Storage Matter?

Why can't you just use shelves or bins?

Disorganized storage does not just look messy, it directly costs production time and money. When parts are scattered, a 15-minute format change can stretch to 45 minutes as operators hunt for components, verify they have the complete set, and inspect parts that may have been stored improperly. A facility running three changeovers a day that loses 30 extra minutes each time gives up roughly 7.5 hours of production every week.

What are the real risks of poor change parts storage?

• Damaged parts: A small nick on a starwheel pocket or a bent timing screw can cause jams, product damage, and unplanned downtime. Custom replacement parts can take weeks to manufacture.
• Compliance and safety gaps: In regulated food and pharmaceutical environments, inspectors expect documented, controlled storage with clear identification and traceability. Parts left on floors or in walkways create tripping hazards and awkward, ergonomically risky lifts.
• Extended changeovers: Every minute spent locating and gathering parts is a minute the line is not running.

• Lost or mislabeled parts: Without a dedicated home for each component, parts get set down, forgotten, or misplaced between runs, leading to costly reordering and delays.

   

What Storage Options Are Available on the Market Today?

What types of change parts storage systems can I buy? 

The packaging industry has seen a wide spectrum of change parts storage equipment, generally falling into a few broad categories:

Parts mount to a durable wire mesh using standard, off-the-shelf accessories like posts, hooks, mushroom pins, latches, and bins, so there is no in-field measure-up required and no custom design time.

How does it compare to basic off-the-shelf storage solutions?

Basic, fixed storage solutions are inexpensive but static: once built, they are limited in what they can do if your parts or product lines change. The Easy Changeover Cart's mounting system is fully reconfigurable, so the same cart can be rearranged for a new format, different part shapes and sizes, or an entirely different storage application down the road, without buying new equipment.

How does it compare to fully custom-engineered carts?

Fully custom carts typically require in-field measurements, longer design cycles, and higher costs. Because the the Easy Changeover Cart uses standard, off-the-shelf mounting accessories and comes in standard sizes, it eliminates the measure-up and design wait, giving you short lead times and easy ordering while still delivering a configuration tailored to your parts.

What features make the Easy Changeover Cart a stronger everyday solution?

• Fully reconfigurable: Repurpose, reuse, and reconfigure the cart for new parts, different shapes and sizes, and new storage applications.
• Space-efficient design: A small footprint and sharp turning radius allow easy movement in tight spaces, while storing more parts per square inch than conventional systems.
• Ergonomic and adjustable: Storage locations adjust infinitely to suit each operator, reducing strain and improving handling.
• Smooth, safe mobility: Rolls easily even on rough surfaces, with locking casters for secure loading and unloading.
• Washdown-ready: Made from chemically inert materials that support on-cart change part cleaning.
• Fast to purchase: No in-field measure-up, standard cart sizes, and short lead times.
• Wall-mount option: The Easy Changeover Wall Mount uses the same mounting accessories for facilities with limited floor space.

Beyond Change Parts: Storing Tools and Industrial Components.

Can this type of cart store more than change parts?

Yes. While the Easy Changeover Cart was designed for packaging line change parts, its configurable mounting system makes it a great storage solution for many industrial applications. Because parts mount to an adjustable wire mesh using standard accessories, the same cart that organizes starwheels and feed screws today can store tools, maintenance equipment, fixtures, spare components, or other production supplies tomorrow. This flexibility makes it a strong fit for maintenance teams or any operation that needs mobile, organized, point-of-use storage.

More Frequently Asked Questions: Septimatech's Perspective on Change Parts Storage

How many change parts can an Easy Changeover Cart hold?

Capacity depends on part size and configuration. Because the cart is user-configurable, it can be set up to hold a complete format changeover set, eliminating multiple trips to storage. A cart staged for timing screws might hold multiple screws, while one for smaller components could hold dozens of pieces.

What materials work best for food, beverage, and pharma facilities?

The Easy Changeover Cart is built from chemically inert materials that support on-cart washdown and resist corrosion from cleaning chemicals. For sanitary and regulated environments, stainless steel frames and food-grade materials are preferred, with specific grades available for pharmaceutical applications.

Can I reconfigure the cart later for different parts?

Yes. Reconfigurability is the core benefit of the Easy Changeover Cart. You can repurpose the same cart for new parts, different sizes, or entirely different storage applications using the same standard mounting accessories.

Where should I position change part storage?

Ideally at point of use, directly adjacent to the machine requiring changeover. This minimizes operator travel and reduces the chance of parts being misplaced. Locking casters let you position the cart securely right at the line.

Do I need a custom cart or a standard one?

User-configurable carts like the Easy Changeover Cart are versatile, cost-effective, and available with short lead times, making them ideal for most applications. For custom carts, or highly specialized parts, Septimatech's Custom 5S storage solutions offer fully tailored layouts.