Industrial Pallet Rack Storage Systems
Your inventory and supplies are key products in having a successful business right? Well if you don’t have proper storage for those items then you could be wasting a tremendous amount of money. Today we’re going to talk a bit about pallet rack storage systems and different styles that will fit perfect with your unique work place.
What is Pallet Racking?
First of all, what is pallet racking? Pallet racking is a single or multi-level storage system that is utilized to support high stacking of single items or palletized loads. Pallet racks allow rapid access to stored materials. Pallet rack storage systems maximize facility space while simplifying inventory requirements.
Pallet racks are composed of vertical upright frames and horizontal load beams designed specifically for the loads being stored. Upright frames also known as upright columns or uprights vary in size and design depending on load requirements.
Next, pallet racking comes in all kinds of shapes and sizes including: Pallet Rack, High Density, and Specialized.
All the shapes/styles/types of Pallet Racking Offered
Pallet rack storage systems can include the following styles:
- Teardrop
- Slotted
- Structural
Teardrop pallet racks offer ease of assembly and adjustability. They are a boltless pallet rack system that makes installation easy and no tools are required. The tear drop beam-to-column connection is designed to be compatible with other widely available Tear Drop pallet rack storage systems and also work side-by-side with slotted and structural pallet rack designs. Heavier bracing and better impact resistance are reasons to step up to our reliablity when expanding your current pallet rack storage systems.
Slotted pallet rack systems feature Hook and Slot automatic lock beam-to-column connections and are available in a virtually unlimited selection of sizes and load capacities. This six-bend, roll-formed columns with fully welded bracing sets the standard for rigidity, strength and durability in pallet rack systems.
Structural pallet rack provide 100% accessibility to all stored items and are comparable in use and capacity to other pallet rack systems. Structural storage racks are fabricated using hot-rolled structural steel channels for uprights and beams. A heavy-duty lower horizontal brace and welded foot protector are standard on structural pallet rack storage systems.
High density pallet rack storage systems
Another type of pallet racking can be known as High Density and some specific types of this style include:
- Double Deep
- Very Narrow Aisle
- Drive-in Storage
- Push Back
- Gravity Flow
The Double Deep pallet rack system increases productive use of floor space by 60% by storing two pallet loads at each aisle lane. The Double Deep systems place one row of 100% selective pallet rack behind another. Using a deep reach lift truck, the operator places a pallet onto the deepest rack structure. Another pallet is then placed on the front rack unit, eliminating the need for an aisle between the two storage racks. These systems are available in original slotted or tear drop style columns.
Next, is the Very Narrow Aisle. With this pallet rack system, the pace separating parallel rack units is greatly reduced, and pallets are placed and retrieved using a side loading fork truck. This minimizes the size of the aisles between rows of racks and can reduce the aisle space by around 40%. These pallet rack systems are available in original slotted or tear drop style columns and can be used at heights of up to 40 feet.
Drive-In rack is high-density (LIFO) system best suited for last-in, first-out storage requirements. Drive-thru systems are similar to drive-in rack but can be (FIFO) accessed from either end and can be first-in, first-out. These storage rack systems feature narrow pallet-storage lanes running perpendicular to the working aisles. Pallets are stored on the floor and on the parallel rails. Drive-in is a good choice for building inventories that ship periodically with low SKU items. Some features include:
- Roll formed or structural steel upright frames
- Durable galvanized rolled rails resist abrasion and offer superior torsion resistance
- Optional Space Saver rails maximize vertical space
Next, we have the Push Back pallet rack storage system. The Push Back uses a dynamic cart-on-rail system in which deeper pallet loads automatically advance to the aisle when the front pallet load is retrieved. The Push Back pallet rack systems offer similar storage density as drive-in pallet rack while improving selectively and accessibility to a range of SKUs. Product stored in lanes resets on a system of carts-on-rails available in 2 to 6 pallets deep. From one aisle, pallets are stored by “pushing back” previously placed pallets with a new pallet on the next cart position. When the front pallet is retrieved, gravity causes the next pallet to move forward into a ready position. This “last-in, first-out” system (per lane) reduces picking time when a large number of picking faces are required.
The last of the High Density pallet rack includes the Gravity Flow Rack. Gravity Flow Pallet Rack Storage Systems are ideal for supplying pallet or carton loads of common SKUs in sorting and distribution operations. They also are a great option where high throughput is required or in a warehouse storage situation that calls for large volumes of each SKU.
The Gravity Flow pallet racks act like a conveyor within a rack structure. Pallets are deposited at the charge end and then flow down an incline to be picked at the opposite end. Systems can be 6 or more bays high and can run from a few to 15 positions deep. Using gravity to gently keep pallet loads staged for picking operations, flow racks are an economical first-in first-out storage rack solution.
Specialized pallet rack storage systems
Another type of pallet racking can be known as Specialized Storage and some specific types of this style include:
- Cantilever Rack
- Pick Module Systems
- Stacker Systems with Crane
- Roll-Out Shelf Racks
Let’s talk about the Cantilever Rack. This pallet rack storage system uses arms that extend from the towers allowing unobstructed, frontal access to items. Materials of varying lengths can be stored. These racks are available as roll-formed or structural shapes. The Cantilever Rack is ideal for long or awkward shaped items – pipe, bar stock, etc.
Next, is the Pick Module Systems. The goal of Pick Module pallet rack storage systems is optimum product flow. Pick modules utilize pallet and carton flow racks through a storage rack system to expedite the order-fullfillment process. Pick module system designs may include push-back, gravity flow, selective pallet rack and other storage methods and conveyors to optimize product flow. This turn-key module systems offer order fullfillment and storage operations in distribution centers. The Pick Module pallet rack storage systems offer a flow-through concept that allows distribution operations to be consolidated into one facility that handles all of the logizitcs and helps to lower fullfillment costs. The pick module system provides the most efficient use of space and labor possible by utilizing every square inch of premium warehouse area cost -effectively and delivering an organized flow of products being readied for shipment to customers.
The Stacker Systems with Crane pallet rack system improves storage density and simplifies the handling of heavy loads on removable steel pallets weighing up to 6,000 pounds. The stacker system with crane uses proprietary pallets that engage heavily braced columns in slots at the rear and pegs in the front for ease of pallet alignment. Stacker pallet rack systems offer great flexibility and a variety of storage configurations, making efficient use of valuable floor space. A fully motorized crane option makes operation easier and safer. The stacker systems protect tools, dies and fixtures or to organize components, subassemblies and work-in-progress.
The last of the specialized storage is the Roll-out Shelf Storage Racks. These pallet rack storage systems extend to 100% of their depth for total access to stroed items. The “V” roller shelf guide mechanism improves drawer operation for retrieving heavy loads. Many sizes and options are avialble for this style of storage rack systems.
Don’t let these styles and types of pallet racking overwhelm you, BSC can help.
We know the many styles and types of pallet rack storage systems can be a bit overwheming for a company. Picking the perfect pallet racking for your company gives you that proper protection for your inventory and other items. BSC works with leading manufacturers to give you the best of the best pallet rack storage systems. Our sales representatives have the proper knowledge of these products and can help you every step of the way from design to installation all the way to relocation and maintainence.
Contact us to schedule your FREE assessment today.