One of the prime reasons behind the success of a business is the ability to cater and meet the requirements of its customers. One of the ways in which companies strive to meet up with these expectations is by having an adequate and effective storage space. Pallet racking is an effective storage arrangement, where the materials are stored in ‘pallets’ or ‘skids’. There are different types of storage system where palletized goods are stored in horizontal rows rising vertically. One of the essential characteristics associated with any raking system is the use of forklift trucks to transfer goods, which have become a ubiquitous part of any warehouse storage system.
Here are some of the major types of pallet racking storage solutions:
Push Back Pallet system
These are designed to offer storage space by an increase of depth rather than width. Each of the pallets is stored on the top of wheeled carts which themselves run on the rails. The rails are slightly angled to the load/unload ends. This helps in utilizing gravity while moving the pallets, hence saving energy cost as well. This system allows the pallets to be stored deep i.e. one after the other, usually, around five pallets are arranged in this manner saving hugely on driving aisle space.
While storing a pallet a forklift truck pushes against the pallet, which bumps, on the next pushing the whole row backward on the rails. When a pallet is removed, the remaining ones move forward and arrange themselves, so that now the next in line is ready for removal. This type of system functions on the LIFO (last in, first out) system.
Drive-in or Drive-thru Pallet system
This is a traditional type of pallet racking system where a forklift truck can usually drive in between stacked rows of pallets also called as a bay. The fundamental difference between the drive-in and drive –thru pallet system is whether the opening for the bay is at one end or at both ends. Drive-in systems having only one opening, which is used for both entry and exit. Hence, follow a LIFO (last in, first out) system where the last pallet is the first one to be taken out. Whereas, the drive-thru pallet system has two entrance points follow FIFO (First in, first out). Here the pallets are loaded on one end and pushed back to the other side where they become the first one in the row ready to be taken out. Both the systems are used differently according to the purpose and offer different advantages.
Some of the major advantages of pallet racking systems are:
Space
One of the most important advantages of this industrial racking and storage solution is the ability to help store more goods by utilizing an effecting vertical storage plan. This reduces the need of floor space and allows an effective storage of the materials. Whenever required forklift trucks can reach up or down seamlessly to reach to the goods.
Safety
Another aspect of the pallet racking system is the high degree of safety offered by these storage solutions. These systems offer the best of safety, reliability, and strength.
Durability
The pallet storage system is made up of high strength industrial steel, which offers the best durability. Well-constructed pallet storage solutions can withstand a large number knocks and bumps from forklifts and trucks.
Accessibility and convenience
As this system allows for the best access to large storage spaces employees become more effective, as they can find and access materials much more easily. In fact, double deep pallet racking solution has been statistically found to increase space by 25% in any storehouse.
Hence, these are the advantages of pallet racking Systems. It is one of the most effective Industrial Racking & Storage Solutions.