There are three types of Oblique compartments:

1. V-Base
2. Box-Base
3. Oblique Shelf

Selecting the correct compartments depends on the requirements of the system. Here are some general guidelines you can use:

1. When the materials will grow over time. (e.g. personnel records, accounting records, distribution records). The compartment's ability to expand allows it to accommodate materials as they expand from a single sheet to up to 2-3 inches.When you need to hold varying capacities of similar materials (e.g. forms, sales brochures, technical spec sheets, etc.) Each compartment is assigned a specific address (e.g. form number) and as materials are pulled, the compartment compresses (or expands) to ensure no space is wasted and materials are not damaged.
2. When materials require their own specific "address" within the system. (e.g. computer printouts, bound reports, etc.) Using the compartment's built in magnified index, each location is given an "address" which uniquely identifies that location. Materials can be "checked in or checked out," outguides can be used, and misfiles are avoided since each file has its own "home".

1. When materials are of a fixed capacity (e.g. telephone books, software documentation, binders, etc.). Box-Base sizes can be mixed to match materials. 1", 2", 3", 3-1/2", and 4-1/2" Box-Bases are all standard sizes. Other sizes can be custom produced.
2. When materials are of a mixed variety (e.g. corporate collections, technical files, etc.) Although most files can be handled by V-Base compartments, a certain portion of files are of a greater capacity (2-4"). In this case mixing Box-Base compartments with the V-Base will provide a better "fit" for materials.

1. Filing in a "shelf" type configuration (e.g. any system which might be considered for color-code conversion). Storing multiple files within an Oblique Shelf Box-Base compartment performs like a shelf with dividers every 3-4 1/2 inches. The difference is that Oblique's "dividers" have built in indexing, weight much less than steel, and are full height and full depth!
2. For a "two-step" conversion (e.g. eventual conversion to side tabbed, color-coded files is desired, but either time or budgetary restrictions make it impossible to convert at this time). Using a "day forward" approach, the Oblique Shelf system holds top-tabbed folders providing indexing every three to four inches. As files are pulled, they are converted by the customer. This allows immediate easy access to files and also ensures that "inactive" files are not needlessly converted to color-coded folders and can be archived as top tabs. 

Choosing the correct compartment size is relatively simple with a little analysis and forethought. Once you know the size (height and width) of the materials, use the following procedure to decide which compartment best suits your requirements:

1. Select a compartment which is at least as deep or your materials. (i.e. legal depth materials - 15" wide, require a legal depth compartment  - 15" deep).
2. Calculate the compartment's capacity for these materials. The capacity calculation is: The height of the compartment minus the height of the materials multiplied by two = capacity. In other words, if the compartment is 9 7/8" high and your materials are 8 1/2" high, the compartment's capacity for those materials would be: (9 7/8 - 8 1/2) x 2 = 2 3/4".

The number of compartments to be used is directly related to the type of system you are trying to create. Use one of the following criteria to decide how many compartments you'll need:

1. Personnel Records (Active employees get their own file).Accounting records (One file per "major" customer, vendor, etc.. Smaller vendors and customers would be placed together in generic "ABC, DEF, GHI," etc. files).Computer Printouts (each printout has its own location).Forms Management (each form is housed in its own location).
2. Mail room applications (each mail recipient has their own "address").

1. Periodicals and newspapers (issues are filed together in logical groups such as a month's worth of issues, seven daily issues together in a week, etc.)Customer records (since some customers may have very little information to be filed, groups of customers can placed together in generic alpha-indexed files).
2. Graphic arts materials (by determining the capacity of your compartments, you would divide your materials in compartments until they are filled and them move on to the next compartments...i.e. 3 inches in every compartment).

1. Large records collections (when many files are involved without much variation in their thickness).

All Oblique compartments are design to be snapped together forming a continuous link across every row. Since every compartment is attached to every other one, the weight load is distributed across the shelf and compartments keep each other on the rails. It is important to note that all compartments must be snapped together for Oblique warranties to be in effect.  

Oblique compartments are made from the highest quality components. The body of each compartment is constructed of heavy duty 140 lb. kraft paper which is double folded and riveted around low carbon steel hooks. Box-bases are manufactured from 250 lb. pressboard which is glued or riveted to each compartment in a wrap around design. Each Oblique compartment us rated to hold up to 20 lbs. of weight, while Unifiles are rated to hold 10 lbs. each.