Summary
A refurbished-server reseller needed tool-less sliding rails for a batch of around 300 Dell PowerEdge R720 servers. The original rails were discontinued and hard to source on the second-hand market. We adapted our MS-TLS-120 tool-less ball-bearing platform to the R720's chassis standoff pattern, with zero tooling cost.
The Challenge
- The R720 mounts on its rails through chassis-side standoffs, not screws. Generic universal rails do not match that pattern, so the only fallback is a screw-fixed bracket that makes every service call slower.
- Original rails are discontinued, and second-hand supply is inconsistent.
- The customer needed tool-less installation so their team could rack and service servers quickly.
Step 1: Understanding the Application
We asked for the chassis dimensions, the standoff positions, the rack type (square-hole or round-hole), the rack post depth, and the expected annual volume. These are the same inputs we ask for on every project; see what to send in a server rail RFQ.
Step 2: Requirement Confirmation
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Server | Dell PowerEdge R720 (2U) |
| Mounting | Chassis-side standoffs (tool-less) |
| Rack | 19-inch 4-post, square-hole, 1000 mm cabinets |
| Load | Up to 35 kg per server |
| Slide type | Full-extension ball bearing |
| Installation | Tool-less, rack side and chassis side |
| Quantity | About 300 sets, repeat orders expected |
Step 3: Engineering Matching
We started from the MS-TLS-120 tool-less ball-bearing rail kit and redesigned only the inner-member hole pattern to match the R720 standoffs. The change was made at the progressive-die stage, within our existing tooling, so the customer paid no tooling fee. The rack side stays tool-less and works with square-hole and round-hole posts.
Step 4: Sample and Validation
- Fitment proposal delivered within 24 hours of receiving the chassis data
- Samples shipped in 12 days, produced from the modified die and checked against the standoff positions before shipping
- Customer validation on 10 servers in their own racks: smooth full extension, no binding at the standoffs
Results
- 300 sets delivered in the first order, followed by a repeat order of 200 sets
- Racking time reduced from about 15 minutes to about 5 minutes per server, with no drilling or extra brackets
- Direct-fit rails at standard-product cost, with no tooling fee
The Engineering Value We Provided
Fitting a replacement rail means matching the chassis interface exactly. Picking something "close enough" from a catalogue is not good enough. We changed hole positions within our existing tooling, so the customer got a direct-fit rail at standard-product cost. Read more on why we build functional equivalents rather than copies and on finding a King Slide or OEM rail replacement that actually fits.
Need rails for Dell, HPE or other legacy servers?
Send us your chassis model or drawing and we will return a fitment proposal within 24 hours. Request a quote.
Dell and PowerEdge are trademarks of Dell Inc.; HPE and ProLiant are trademarks of Hewlett Packard Enterprise. MetrixSlide is not affiliated with either company. Model names are used only to describe compatibility.
