Customized Semi-Automatic Radio Shuttle Pallet Racking System For Warehouse Storage

Introductions

Most traditional racks are labor-intensive in pallets retrieval and storage. As a step between traditional rack storage and ASRS, radio shuttle pallet racking system would be a better choice with its high productivity and lower price, easy management and maintenance, especially for companies with limited budget.

Radio shuttle pallet rack, a semi-automated storage and retrieval system, maintains a maximum utilization of storage space in a given footprint. Sharing a similar storage density with drive in/drive through racking systems, radio shuttle pallet racks eliminate redundant aisles to reach compact pallets placements. Replacing forklifts with remote-controlled shuttle cars moving along the channel, this cost-effective radio shuttle system has realized intelligent material handling in deeper lanes.

Let’s dig more into the structure and major components of radio-shuttle pallet racks.

Major Components and Accessories

Rack Structure

The structure of radio shuttle pallet rack is similar to drive-in pallet racks. The main components and accessories are illustrated in the pictures below.

♦ Upright Frames

Upright frames are the main support structure of the drive-in system, which consist of upright columns, horizontal and diagonal braces and row spacers.

♦ Beams

Beams can connect upright frames to provide system rigidity and bear loads from rails.

♦ Rails

Rails are designed to store multiple pallets. Meanwhile, radio shuttle cars also run on the rails right under the pallet loads with some clearances.

♦ Rail Supports

Rail supports (or corbels) can be divided into single rail-support and double rail-support. The single-rail support is used in start bay and end bay, while double rail-support is used in additional bay holding pallet rails in the right position.

♦ Entry Guides

Entry guides are fixed at the entrance of the rack, facilitating the fast and accurate placement and removal of unit load and shuttle car.

♦ Pallet Stoppers

Pallet stoppers are attached to the rear of the rails to stop the pallets being pushed off resulting serious accidents.

♦ Other Accessories

Other accessories including upright protectors, forklift stoppers, adjustable footplates all guarantee the safe and efficient operation of the structure.

Advantages of Radio Shuttle Pallet Racks

► Increased Storage Space

As a compact storage solution, radio shuttle pallet racking system can make best use the space by eliminating various aisles like drive-in pallet racks. What’s more, without limitations to lane depth since forklifts never enter the structure, this amazing radio shuttle system can store up to 50 pallets per lane. This has greatly enhanced the radio shuttle racks products storage capacity.

► Improved Productivity

Facilitated with remote-controlled radio shuttle cars, pallet loads can be stored and removed accurately and safely following both First-in/First-Out(FIFO) and Last-in/First-out (LIFO) principles.

As a time-saving solution, this two fronts working system permits high stock rotation rate and throughput for the facility. Compared with lift trucks, pallet runners can travel much faster in minimized distance allowing more efficient products storage and retrieval, improving the whole productivity for the warehouse eventually.

► Cost-effective

Radio shuttle pallet racking system is a cost-effective semi-automated storage solution. Compared to computer-controlled Automatic Storage and Retrieval System(ASRS), this straightforward radio shuttle system is much cheaper by using regular pallet racks and affordable shuttle cars.

For small warehouses with limited budget, the initial layout investment has been greatly reduced. Efficient shuttle cars decrease the labor-cost and reduce the overall operational expenditure ultimately. What’s more, no special forklifts are needed for material handling.

► Versatile Products Storage

Holding large capacity, the radio shuttle system is suitable for storing larger volumes products with fewer SKUs. Thanks to the remote-controlled shuttle cars following commands from operator, different channels can be devoted to different items thus leaving great diversification to the system.

For example, this radio-shuttle racking system has been widely used in food production, beverage and drinks distribution, freezer rooms and any other areas where storage density and high turnover are necessary. It’s also a perfect solution to staging and in-processing products. (eg. Products held for quality test or shipping.) For companies with seasonal spikes or unpredictable stock rotation period, radio-shuttle pallet rack is a wise choice.

► Improved Working Environment

In the radio-shuttle racking system, both the risks to the rack structures and employees have been reduced to the lowest level. Forklifts doesn’t enter the rack. Operators can send quests in some safe distance. Minimum maintenance is requiring. Sufficient safety measures have been designed for the correct operation of the whole system. The entire working environment has been improved compared to traditional pallet racking system.

► Flexible Utilization Options

The shuttles with built-in sensors can accommodate to various types of pallet sizes. The system can operate on both Last-in/First-out(LIFO) and First-in/First-out(FIFO) basis. And many kinds of handling equipment can be utilized to move the shuttle cars and pallets to the right position.

Every coin has two sides and the radio shuttle pallet racking system is not an exception.

Disadvantages of Radio Shuttle Pallet Racks

► Not suitable for the each pallet selection.

► Not ideal for products with many SKUs while low pallets number.

► Not suitable for products with odd shapes or long-extrusion.

Though with few limitations, the radio shuttle pallet rack provides significant superiority over traditional pallet racks including higher racks utilization and accessibility, increased pallets throughput and retrieval efficiency, reduced operational risk and product damage as well as a safer environment for employees.

Applying to both LIFO and FIFO stock rotation modes, the radio shuttle pallet racking, a truly versatile and high-density system, is used extensively in modern warehouses and storage facilities.