MHE stands for material handling equipment, is used for the moving and storing of materials in a storage facility. There is few categories of MHE (Material Handling Equipment) categories in a storage facility. They are classified into storage system, transportation equipment, positioning equipment and unit load equipment. Storage system is the equipment used to hold and keep materials or finished goods over a period of time. There are many available system out there which will fit to different needs. The most common Storage System in Singapore and Malaysia are pallet rack. Pallet rack is a material handling storage system designed to store materials on pallet. In this article, we will discuss mainly on types of pallet rack storage system that is available and common in Singapore and Malaysia. They are Selective Pallet racking system, Double Deep racking system, Multi-Tier racking system, Drive-In racking system, Cantilever racking system, Cart Push Back racking system, Pallet Flow racking system, Carton Flow Racking System and Structural Steel Platform.
Selective Pallet Racking System:
This type of racking system is used for storing multiple locations with easy accessibility to all products at all time. There is no limitation in using this type of racking system. This is the most common racking system for inventory which is depleting fast and involve a lot of restocking, in short quick turnover products. Best for stock rotation. Commonly used in retail store inventory room, wholesale stores, and in distribution warehouse. The most economical form of pallet racking, with 100% selective storage.
Double Deep Racking System:
Double Deep Racking Systems is designed to store 2 pallets deep, which consist of two standard Selective Racks set up back to back. So the pallets is now stored two rows deep instead of one. This type of racking will require specialised forklift or a standard unit with a double deep handling attachment, a reach truck, or articulated forklifts. This configuration of pallet racking means a maximum of four rows can be placed back to back. This type of racking reduces the amount of accessible stock but increase amount of storage. Other than that, the flow of the inventory will be last in first out.
Multi-Tier Racking System:
Multi-Tier Racking System is optimal design of racking system where mezzanine is built via the pallet racking components with limited
space availability. This storage system provides excellent maximum height utilization by creating different aisle load levels high, where it is accessed through stairs. It is most efficient and economical
method to create extra floor space within the limited space compound. The mezzanine is supported directly from the pallet racking using steel joist with either hot dipped galvanised floor mesh, or timber decking. Structural steel staircases provide safe access to upper levels, which are protected by hand and knee rails and kickboards around all open sides of the mezzanine.
Drive-In Racking System:
Drive in Racking System provide maximum storing capacity on the space available. It is suited to store large quantity of homogeneous products. This system operates in the First-In Last-Out basis. This system consist of continuous lanes of racking with only a single load and retrieval aisle. This system as its name suggested, the storing material will be drive and place in into its rack itself.
Cantilever Racking System:
Cantilever Racking System is for storing and retrieval of difficult and long items, it is design to handle loads of vary lengths and proportion. The product is stored horizontally on the arms and handled either manually or by machines. Consist of uprights and cantilever beams, it provides the best preconditions, flexible in operation, easily adjustable and easily configurable, perform, maintain and manage in any storing environment.
Structural Steel Platform System:
Structural Steel Platform System is a portion of a full setup storage system where there will be a platform built adjacent to the storage. This is a like to Multi-tier racking system where there will be levels or tiers but the difference is that multi-tier system is built upon the racking itself where every tiers/level will have its on racks. While Structural Steel Platform may not be so, the core pillar to building this is on the four steel pillars on each corner. This is one of the type that there is limited space for an environment where the business needs storage while having an operation office area. Usually this will have two levels, where the lower part is without racks but open area. While the top is open space platform. This is a much costly system compare to the others, as it needs to pass through certain rules and regulation for safety set by Singapore government.
Dynamic Storage Racking System:
• Cart Push Back Racking System
Cart Push Back racking system is a little similar to Drive-In racking system, but the difference is that the stock itself is moving instead of the forklift. The stock/pallet will be place on to the bay, if there is other pallet already existed then the later pallet which came in will be pushing the existing pallet deep in. This system operates on First-In Last-Out principle.
• Pallet Flow Racking System:
This is the improvement onto Cart Push Back Racking, instead of pushing the pallet which may risk spoiling the stock. It is customized on build in a way where there will be a directional flow where the pallet will move towards that flowing direction, in short there will be a way in and a separated way out on the bay. The direction is one way. This operates on First-In First-Out principle.
• Carton Flow Racking System:
Carton Flow Racking System is a form of racking where gravity is been taken into consideration. It will have an inclined runways, where the merchandize is loaded from the rear of the runway. Each item removed from the front, the item behind it will slides forward replacing the empty space. This will operate on First-In First-Out principle.
Different size of warehouse, and different types of item for storing will cause different selection for storage system to suite/fit each business needs. Enquire with the form below to contact our specialist to provide you a free assessment on your needs and available choice.
