pallet-rack

What is a Standard Selective Pallet Rack?

What is a pallet rack?

An industrial shelving unit or an industrial storage shelf is what most people call a pallet rack before they know the industry term. A pallet rack is a rack made to hold pallets of some kind of product. Most manufacturers send their items through the mail in pallets, therefore, pallet racks are designed to hold them. However, pallet racks do not have to hold pallets, especially when you are using a selective rack. Why? A selective rack is the most similar to the regular shelving units or your food storage shelves you have in your closet or pantry right now. It allows you to put a product anywhere you want and in the order you want. All you have to do is pull the product from the shelf. If you are looking for a simple pallet rack system that you can get into your workplace and understand quickly then this standard selective pallet rack might be the way to go.

What makes a pallet rack the most standard version

A lot of the reasons mentioned above make the selective pallet rack the most commonly seen type of pallet rack almost anywhere. The fact that it is most like the storage system you have at home, albeit it is much larger, makes it attractive to many business owners. There may be other versions of the pallet racks that might fit the bill better but change is scary to many businesses and, sometimes, getting a system a person can understand trumps what is best for business. Therefore, the selective pallet rack is the most common type of pallet rack you will find in a warehouse.

Are these the teardrop style pallet racks that I keep hearing about?

The answer is sort of here. It is similar to the designation of this pallet rack as “standard”. The teardrop style of pallet rack you see here is the most common of pallet rack style. You could get a pushback rack, a pallet flow system, or any other pallet rack type in this style. Again, it is common like the designation of the selective rack as the most standard version of the pallet rack available.

How do I know that I could use another pallet rack version that would better suit my needs?

If you are following a FIFO system then you might be better off with a pallet flow system. However, every situation is different and every storage system has different needs. The best thing to do is to ask a professional who can help you through the process because, you may not know it right now, but there is a lot of permitting that needs to happen in a lot of states. You also may need seismic calculations for your rack. A lot goes into getting a pallet rack system and getting help through the process is the best idea to keep your business humming.

f you want help with your system then call us. You can also email us. You will find our contact info in the footer. We can help you through the permit and seismic calculation process all the way through.

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Utilize Your Space With Warehouse Storage Racks

Warehouse racks are essential components in the effective management of a storage facility. These versatile solutions are designed to optimise the utilisation of available space, improve inventory management, facilitate efficient order picking, and enhance overall operational efficiency.

By utilising advanced design and layout principles, these systems can significantly increase storage capacity and productivity while promoting a more organised and streamlined warehouse environment.

In this article, Donracks, the industrial storage racks and shelving manufacturers, explains how selecting and implementing the right storage solutions can elevate your warehouse management game.

Design & Purpose

The choice of warehouse rack systems goes beyond just space maximisation. It is about improving operational flow, reducing damage, and ultimately lifting profit margins. From classic pallet racks to cutting-edge alternatives, the range of options enables storage customised to your unique requirements.

Choosing racks that align with your inventory’s size, weight, and access frequency can dramatically reduce accident risks and product loss for a safer work zone. Innovative storage solutions, like mobile shelving systems and adaptable racking, cater to these shifting needs, enabling quick layout reconfigurations and adapting to variable inventory levels.

Warehouse storage racks are an investment. Therefore, when choosing the right storage racks, you should consider:

  • The space
  • Product type
  • Inventory management system
  • Dimensions and weight of products for suitable rack systems

Your ultimate aim is to maximise storage space while ensuring easily reachable goods. This demands a strategic approach when selecting a racking system that resonates with your warehouse’s specific needs.

accumulation-conveyor

Accumulation Conveyor: Functions and Benefits

Organizing the internal transportation of pallets to the processing and shipping areas is much simpler with systems such as accumulation conveyors.

What is an accumulation conveyor?

An accumulation conveyor is a system consisting of rollers or chains designed to transport, accumulate or distribute goods to different points as required by warehouse and/or factory operations. These conveyors aim to maximise efficiency in receiving, shipping and handling unit loads.

Incorporating an internal transport system for pallets or boxes optimises typically repetitive and similar routes, eliminating the need for manual handling by an operator. Accumulation conveyors are becoming increasingly common in all kinds of facilities. They’re versatile and easy to assemble — when installed by the right manufacturer.

Functions of accumulation conveyors

Common applications of accumulation conveyors include:

  • Creating product queues for subsequent sorting.
  • Moving goods for shipment in distribution centres.
  • Starting, stopping and restarting the flow of boxes and pallets.
  • Supplying items to workstations.

Before deciding on a particular accumulation conveyor model or manufacturer, consider which products they’ll be transporting. Take into account their size, weight and the durability of their packaging. It’s also advisable to anticipate the expected accumulation density and the performance rate requirements for downstream processes. To do this, you’ll want to follow the example of companies like Konya Şeker and consult with an intralogistics expert.

Types of accumulation conveyors

Common applications of accumulation conveyors include:

  • Powered accumulation conveyors. Designed to transport pallets or boxes, these can comprise a roller or chain system. The main feature of powered conveyors is that the goods never touch, making them suitable for moving delicate items. Thus, they’re considered zero-pressure accumulation conveyors.
  • Gravity conveyors. As with gravity flow racking systems, pallets slide forward on rollers made of electro-welded steel tubes. The components of these conveyors are configured according to the type and weight of the pallets they’re designed to hold. Although loads in these gravity-driven systems may touch slightly, the movement speed is controlled. These devices are also known as minimum-pressure accumulation conveyors since products may come into contact with each other.

Pallet conveyor systems can have mechanical or sequential accumulation:

  • Conveyors with mechanical accumulation. These roller systems with brakes enable multiple pallets to accumulate. They have lower material and maintenance costs than their sequential accumulation counterparts due to fewer motors and sensors. These conveyors move unit loads and can transport 4 to 16 pallets on a single line driven by one motor or on 4 parallel lines of up to 4 unit loads each. As a rule, they’re adaptable to different temperatures and travel at speeds of up to 7 m per minute.
  • Conveyors with sequential accumulation. These straight conveyors with rollers or chains enable lengthwise flows, covering long distances within a facility. Each pallet’s position is controlled by photocells, which maintain a small gap between loads. These conveyors generally operate at speeds of about 8 m per minute. They can act as a storage buffer and be combined with standalone conveyors for infeed and outfeed operations. Some models can also be used in sub-zero temperatures.

Benefits of accumulation conveyors

Incorporating accumulation conveyors into intralogistics operations offers numerous advantages. They can:

  • Increase throughput rates by grouping items, ensuring that no equipment remains idle.
  • Adapt to specific product types using either roller or chain configurations and customisable elements.
  • Create a buffer between different processes for continuous, controlled workflows.
  • Allow time for products to cool or dry in production environments.
  • Prevent damage to goods.
  • Merge lines.

Streamline your intralogistics setup

Are you looking to sort or move products using accumulation conveyors? Or perhaps you want to increase the efficiency of your intralogistics operations. At SBI, we have the expertise to assist you. With 20 years of experience in intralogistics and as storage solutions experts, we specialize in automating internal pallet and box flows in warehouses and production centres. Contact us, and we will analyze your company’s specific needs.