Common types of pallet racking systems

Pallet racking systems are especially designed to increase the space available in the warehouse. Various businesses make use of these space aids to maximise storage space in their facilities. Pallet racks are essentially material handling storage aid systems that are conceived so as to store materials on flat transport structures. They are generally referred to as skids, and they are fabricated from variants of wood, metals and plastic. Individual skids are incorporated into larger racking systems that have shelves on multiple levels. For the loading process, forklifts are necessary as some constructions measure several feet high, and they are required to place the loaded skids onto the racks for storage.

Despite the fact that are many types of industrial pallet racking, all types ensure storage of accumulated materials in horizontal rows with multiple levels. This storage aid system has become an essential and omnipresent element of modern warehouses, manufacturing facilities, retail centres and storage and distribution facilities. There are a few types of material handling storage aid systems, and each of them have different benefits. Professionals advise considering a couple of factors when selecting a material handling storage aid system, namely the space and the height available. If you have unique requirements, you can talk to pallet racking suppliers to reconfigure the standard units to accommodate your needs.

The most commonly used material handling storage aid system are selective racks, which are considered some of the most cost-effective storage aid systems and they ensure direct access to all products. Pallets are accessible from the structure’s aisle. In the structure, the beams act as a support system for the flat transport structures. This storage system is generally associated with narrow aisle racking, standard and deep reaching systems. What is important to remember is that narrow aisle racking requires a specialised narrow SKU. Narrow aisle racking creates optimum space and the structure allows for larger storage capacity. On the other hand, standard systems allow for single deep loading, while deep reach systems allow for twice the storage amount. Selective pallet rack is the most versatile choice owing to the fact that it provides 100% selectivity to every flat transport structure position.

Drive-in and drive through racks are conceived so as to store two or more skids deep. These kinds of storage systems offer great storage density, but less selectivity. Drive-in is very much similar to block stacking, the only difference being that the product is not stored on top of the bottom flat transport structure. The framework actually holds the skids above the ones below. Drive-in frameworks are designed in lanes, the depth of the lane and the number of flat transport structures is ultimately determined by the product. These systems are generally manufactured from steel and they allow enough space for the forklift to move into the structure’s bay.

Push back racking systems feature pallets that are placed by fork on nested carts riding on inclined rails. Each skid is then pushed back by subsequent skid loading, exposing the next cart. They are ideal for bulk storage due to the fact that they are capable of storing products that occupy several skids deep. Similar to drive-in systems, these structures are loaded using the LIFO system, which means that the items stored are loaded via the last-in, first-out process. Pallet flow racks are limited only by the size of the facility. The flow storage system offers automatic LIFO product rotation. The loads are stored at the higher end and removed at the lower point. They are thus suitable for high-density storage.

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