Efficient storage is the prime need of every warehouse, manufacturing industrial unit, big wholesale, retail, and distribution center where goods are stored properly within available space.
The storage needs in modern times in all those places are aptly and effectively addressed by the pallet racking system.
What is a pallet racking system?
Pallet racking is the system in which the goods are grouped together on pallets to create a system not only to store but move as and when required by the supply chain. The palletized materials are stored and moved to various types of pallet racking systems and moved using forklifts that are employed to load and unload the stored material.
In pallet racking, the vertical space is utilized that otherwise remains unused. The pallets i.e. skids are placed on horizontal rows in several vertical sections, as per the need, for filling or storing the stock inventory safely.
An efficient pallet racking system helps in increasing stock inventory and efficiency of the warehouse by providing easy access to the required material and thus helps save stock picking time.
Various kinds of pallet racking systems are used as per the need, type of material to be stored and size of the storage place.
Different Types of Pallet Racking Systems
The different types of Pallet racking systems include:
- Selective Pallet – most versatile, customizable and commonly used to access all the pallets directly from the aisle
- Racking Drive-in Pallet Racking – designed to utilize the optimum capacity of the floor space and allows forklifts to move through the aisles. These are cost-effective and deployed in manufacturing units and food and beverage industries
- Push Back Pallet Racking – is available in structural or roll form with sturdy beam support that permits storing large-sized and heavy goods
- Cantilever Pallet Racking – ideal for storing long and heavy items like pipes, timber, steel rods
- Mobile Pallet Racking – is a multi-level unit that can be moved, and requires less space as it uses the least number of aisles
Besides the above, you may also have pallet racking systems such as:
- Narrow aisle racking (Turret Truck) – requires wire or mechanical guidance for putting pallets away from pick and deposit stations at the end of each bay. Also, requires turret trucks and a separate forklift for operation. Meant for bigger spaces as it generates high-velocity movement due to two machines simultaneously working in the same space. Not ideally suitable for warehouses.
- Narrow aisle racking (Articulated Reach Truck) – is almost similar to Narrow aisle racking (Turret Truck) with a difference in process of accessing pallets. Unlike Turret Trucks; Articulated Reach trucks do not require P&D stations or mechanical guidance for maneuvering material from trucks and unloading at the rack.
- Satellite Racking – also known as deep-lane pallet racking is used for storing and moving a high volume of products and also to overcome poor space utilization issues
- High Rise Racking – high-density storage for cycling large volumes of stocks through automated cranes in warehouses with limited space.
- Pallet live storage systems – operate with the help of gravity roll racks that move pallets down the line through gravitational pull
When you need to install a sturdy, efficient yet cost-effective Pallet racking system; contact the most reliable BHD Storage Solutions for your warehouses and other storage or distribution setups.