Types of Pallet Racking – Learn More about It
Pallet racking is any material handling storage system that stores materials on pallets in horizontal rows on multiple levels. Pallet racks require using a forklift truck to load and unload pallets onto the racks. All pallets racking, regardless of the style, will increase the storage density of your warehouse, retail facilities, and any other storage facility.
There are many factors to consider when choosing which style of racking Is perfect for you:
- Storage density required or desired
- Construction distance, both floor space and height
- Placement of obstructions such as doorways, support beams, columns, etc
- Inventory size and weight
- Inventory accessibility
- Price
Selective pallet rack is the least dense and the least expensive, and allows for direct access to each item at every shelf height. They come in two major styles; rolls formed and check this out https://www.theproche.com/2020/02/01/explaining-the-types-of-pallet-racks-for-an-industrial-warehouse/ to know more. Roll formed racking is typically lighter and contains horizontal load beams which are held into place by clips, and are typically adjustable in two inch increments. This makes adjusting the rack heights really simple, but roll shaped pallet racks cannot hold as much weight as other styles, and have a tendency to be less resistant to impact by forklifts.
Structural selective racking is much more durable because the flat Beams are attached to the vertical beams with bolts. Both kinds of selective racks are flexible and allow for customization, but roll formed is less durable and more vulnerable to damage. Structural pallet rack may also be a portion of the building’s construction, replacing the building’s I-beams, developing a rack supported construction.
Other Kinds of pallet rack comprise drive-in or drive-through, push-back, and pallet flow rack. These types allow for more compact storage, but you cannot get any inventory item at any given moment. It takes a bit more preparation and organization to properly use this style of racking, but when done correctly is extremely efficient.
Drive in requires a LIFO Kind of stock last in, first out, meaning The first pallet to be kept in a row would be the last one out, and the final one to be saved is the first one out. Drive used either the LIFO or FIFO method for storing, because pallets can be obtained from either side.
Pallet flow rack is very similar to push back rack in that it requires Advantage of gravity and depth for extra storage density. Pallet is set on roller wheels at a small incline so that pallets move to the front of the rack. These systems may comprise braking systems which control the rate of the moving pallets for additional safety. Based upon your installation, pallet flow rack could be loaded from the trunk and picked in front FIFO, or loaded and selected in front LIFO.