Middle Atlantic AX-SX Rack Frame

Elevate your rack installations with the Middle Atlantic AX-SX Rack Frame, a purpose-built solution designed for professional AV, IT, and audio environments. This 18U rack frame combines robust steel construction with a sleek black finish to deliver dependable support for critical gear while preserving a clean, organized aesthetic inside any equipment rack. With 18U of mounting space, a standard 19" rack width, and a compact 20" depth, the AX-SX is engineered to fit a wide range of equipment—from patch panels and power distribution units to servers and signal processors—without compromising accessibility or airflow. The external frame design maximizes space utilization and simplifies installation, ensuring you can mount, swap, and service equipment quickly on-site. Built to withstand daily use in demanding settings, this frame is rated up to 650 lb maximum weight capacity, providing a generous cushion for dense rack allocations and future upgrades. The AX-SX’s black powder-coated finish not only looks sophisticated but also resists wear from impact, dust, and temperature fluctuations that frequently occur in studio, control room, and stage environments. For integrators seeking a reliable backbone for modular racks, the AX-SX offers compatibility with Middle Atlantic rails and accessories, enabling streamlined cable management, organization, and expansion as your system evolves.

• 18U rack height for flexible equipment stacking: The AX-SX provides 18 rack units of vertical mounting space, giving you ample room to install a mix of devices—from compact AV processors and patch panels to compact servers and line controllers. The generous height accommodates future growth, allowing you to add or replace gear without reconfiguring the entire rack. With standard 19" rack compatibility, you can use a wide array of widely available mounting hardware and rails, simplifying procurement and installation. This design is particularly beneficial in environments where space is at a premium but expansion needs are ongoing, such as broadcasting suites, rehearsal studios, and control rooms. The layout optimizes weight distribution across the frame, helping maintain stability even as you populate the rack, which reduces sag and wear over time and contributes to longer equipment lifespan.
• 19" rack width for universal compatibility: The AX-SX adheres to the industry-standard 19" width, ensuring broad compatibility with a vast ecosystem of 19" equipment, including patch panels, media encoders, network switches, AV receivers, and power management solutions. This standardization streamlines component selection and makes integration with existing racks seamless. The frame’s width supports straightforward cable management and front-access work, enabling technicians to perform maintenance, re-cabling, or upgrades with minimal disruption to surrounding devices. The 19" footprint also aligns with common rack doors and panels, preserving a consistent, professional look across your facility while maintaining easy access to equipment in front and rear as needed.
• 20" depth for accommodating cables and accessories: With a practical 20" depth, the AX-SX provides ample space behind front-mounted equipment to route cables, power cords, and interconnect leads without crowding the rear of the rack. This depth supports a wide range of equipment depths commonly used in professional installations, helping reduce cable stress and improving airflow management. A deeper footprint can also improve thermal performance by allowing room for cable organizers, cable trays, and ventilation accessories, which helps maintain equipment efficiency and reliability in environments where heat can be a concern. This depth balance between footprint and accessibility makes the AX-SX ideal for dense equipment mixes in broadcast studios, ED rooms, and live-event setups where performance and organization matter as much as aesthetics.
• External steel frame with a durable black finish: The AX-SX is built from heavy-duty steel and finished in a sophisticated black powder coat that resists chipping, scuffing, and corrosion in challenging environments. An external frame design offers straightforward installation, easier access to mounting points, and improved compatibility with existing rack enclosures. The steel construction delivers dependable rigidity and stability even when partially loaded, helping to protect sensitive equipment from vibration and accidental impact. The aesthetic of a black exterior also contributes to a professional, low-profile presence that blends seamlessly into control rooms, audio stages, and data centers alike.
• 650 lb maximum weight capacity for demanding setups: The AX-SX is engineered to support up to 650 pounds of equipment, making it a strong backbone for mixed-rack configurations that include servers, switches, amplifiers, power distribution units (PDUs), and front-loaded audio hardware. This generous weight threshold gives installers flexibility to consolidate gear without needing to upgrade to larger frames or additional support. It also provides a safety margin for future equipment additions, ensuring that your rack system remains stable and secure as your technology stack expands. The combination of 18U height, 19" width, and robust steel construction optimizes load distribution, reducing flex and prolonging rack life even under heavy, frequent use.

Technical Details of Middle Atlantic AX-SX Rack Frame

• Rack height: 18U
• Rack width: 19 inches
• Rack depth: 20 inches
• Frame type: External
• Material: Steel
• Finish: Black powder coat
• Maximum weight capacity: 650 lb
• Color: Black

How to install Middle Atlantic AX-SX Rack Frame

• Plan your layout by identifying the equipment you intend to mount and confirming that their depths, widths, and mounting hole patterns align with the AX-SX specifications. With 18U of vertical space and a standard 19" width, you can map a sequence that optimizes accessibility, cooling, and future expansion. Before you begin, gather the necessary mounting hardware, screws sized for 19" racks, and any middle-rail adapters or accessories you plan to use. A clear plan reduces the need for rework and ensures a clean, efficient installation.
• Position the AX-SX rack frame in your chosen rack enclosure or on a sturdy surface designed to support its weight. If you’re installing inside an equipment cabinet, ensure there is adequate clearance from doors and panels for front and rear access. Check that the mounting surface is level to prevent skewed alignment that could complicate equipment insertion or cable management. If you will be anchoring the frame to a surface or floor, use the manufacturer-recommended fasteners and ensure secure, even mounting points.
• Attach mounting rails and equipment with standard 19" rack screws, starting from the bottom for stability. Leave slightly loose initially to allow for micro-adjustments as you align devices. Ensure that heavier components sit toward the bottom to lower the center of gravity and improve stability. Use rail spacers or fillers where needed to achieve a snug fit for devices with shorter depths to prevent device movement during operation.
• Route cables efficiently to minimize congestion and maximize airflow. Consider using cable managers, horizontal or vertical organizers, and PDUs that complement the AX-SX’s depth. Plan for cable slack to allow for serviceability while keeping a tidy front-to-back path. Label cables clearly and maintain consistent color-coding to simplify future maintenance and upgrades. Proper cable management reduces heat buildup and makes routine servicing safer and faster.
• Verify alignment, weight distribution, and accessibility, then perform a final torque check on fasteners. Power up the system gradually, confirming that all devices power on without interference and that fans and cooling pathways remain unblocked. If your installation includes a door, panel, or accessory, ensure it closes securely and that there is no interference with cables or mounted equipment. Keep a maintenance log for future upgrades or repairs, noting mounting positions, device models, and any adjustments you make over time.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What are the key dimensions of the AX-SX Rack Frame?

  A: The AX-SX features 18U of vertical mounting space, a 19" standard rack width, and a 20" depth. It is an external frame constructed from steel and finished in black, designed to support up to 650 lb of equipment.

• Q: Is the AX-SX compatible with other Middle Atlantic rails and accessories?

  A: Yes. The AX-SX is designed to work with Middle Atlantic rails and a wide range of compatible accessories, which helps streamline installation, cable management, and expansion as your needs evolve.

• Q: Where is the AX-SX best used?

  A: This rack frame is ideal for professional AV and IT installations such as broadcast suites, control rooms, post-production studios, live-event setups, and data-center-adjacent racks where reliable support and organized cable management are critical.

• Q: What is the weight capacity of the AX-SX?

  A: The AX-SX supports up to 650 lb of equipment, providing a high margin for dense configurations that include servers, switches, patch panels, PDUs, and other 19" devices.

• Q: What finishes are available?

  A: The AX-SX is finished in a black powder coat, offering a durable, professional appearance that resists wear in demanding environments while blending with most rack ecosystems.