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Material Handling Information - Flow Rack
   
Material Storage Buffers
Flow Rack
Flow rack is a gravity flow storage system that provides a low cost and highly efficient first-in/first-out storage solution. Flow racks can be used both for cartons and pallets. Flow rack is one of the fastest options available for piece and/or carton picking. Full pallets can also be picked from flow racks.
Product Type
  • Manual carton/pallet picking and storage.
Product Components
  • Rack.
  • Conveyor lanes.
  • Mechanical load separators (pallet flow rack).
Product Specifications
  • Carton Flow Rack
    • Rack frame width: up to 96 in. (2.4 m).
    • Lane depth: 60-120 in. 1.5-3 m).
    • Rack frame capacity: up to 3,000 lbs. (1,350 kg).
    • Lane types: straight, knuckled, weld-in tray.
    • Lane incline:1/8-1/2 in. per ft. depending on product weight.
    • Product must be in conveyable medium (carton or tote).
    • Custom sizes available.
  • Pallet Flow Rack
    • Rack frame width: 2-3 pallets.
    • Lane depth: 20-40 ft. (6-12 m).
    • Typical load weight: 3,000 lbs. per pallet (1,350 kg).
    • Pallet must be conveyable.
    • Lane incline: 1/8-1/2" per ft. depending on product weight.
    • Custom sizes available.
    • Reasonably uniform load weights.
Product Variations
  • Rack height and width.
  • Lane depth.
  • Tier height distribution.
  • Lane type.
Integration Options
Operation
  • Product is fed at the rear of the rack.
  • Moves toward pick face side on inclined roller conveyors.
  • When a carton/pallet is removed the next carton/pallet moves down to the pick face.
Applications
  • Forward pick operations.
  • SKUs with high pick activity.
  • FIFO picking.
  • Full and split-carton picking.
  • Secondary carton and pallet storage.
Problems Solved
Case Study Applications
Solution Worksheets
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