Storage Racks

About Storage Racks and Storage Rack Manufacturers Including: Cantilever Racks, Industrial Storage Racks, Pallet Racks, Rack Manufacturers & Warehouse Racks.

Storage racks are stands or frameworks that are used to hang, hold or display goods. Storage rack manufacturers typically construct their products using strong metal, such as steel, but may also use alloyed aluminum and titanium. Some storage racks use particleboard or wooden decks, while other decks are constructed of galvanized steel. Storage racks are used primarily to save space and to provide a means for the organization of inventory. Storage racks hold many kinds of inventory, from boxed goods to long carpet rolls or tubing. Some storage racks are modular, allowing them to be shifted to various locations within the warehouse.
 
Storage rack manufacturers make their products available in a wide variety of sizes and designs. Push-back storage racks have easy one-sided access and are capable of being placed against an obstruction, such as a wall. If easy access to all goods on the rack without having to shift other items is required, a pallet rack would be a suitable choice. Drive-in storage racks allow for forklift entry from only one direction, making them suitable for first-in/last-out storage systems. Drive-thru storage racks are ideal for first-in/first-out inventory systems, as they allow forklift entry from either the front or the back and move pallets completely through the structure. Cantilever racks are comprised of uprights, arms and brace sets and are ideal for storing long, heavy items that must be kept off the floor. Cantilever storage racks are modular in nature, allowing for extra components to be added as storage requirements change. Mezzaninesconvert unused, vertical space into usable storage space. Gravity flow racks, used for cartons and pallets, provide high-density, dynamic storage and help keep pickers at a safe distance from the forklifts that are stacking the racks from the other side.
 
Storage rack manufacturers may supply various types of accessories. Row spacers add stability to the racking system and provide spacing between two back-to-back rows of racks. Wall ties anchor the rack to the wall, increasing stability and maintaining desired spacing. Fork entry bars fit to the beams to provide clearance for standard forks to slip underneath unpalletized loads. Catwalk beams are used to bridge aisles between rows or racks, and can be flush or dropped. Cross bars are used as a safety precaution to prevent misplaced pallets from falling through the racks. Frame corner guards are used at aisle openings to prevent injuries.
 
Storage racks are used in factories, warehouses, mills, production lines, etc. Without storage racks, space would be a limiting factor of production and distribution for the majority of businesses. Knowing what and how much storage space is needed is the key to selecting the appropriate type of storage racks. Detailed designs can be submitted to the manufacturer, shortening the production process immensely. Otherwise, the manufacturer can gather input, which may be in the form of rough sketches, from the customer to determine what is needed. The manufacturer will then draw up a design of the storage rack system and submit it for approval from the customer.

Storage Racks and Storage Rack Manufacturers Images Provided by UNEX Mfg., Inc.

Storage Racks and Storage Rack Manufacturers Image Provided by RTI Shelving Systems

Types of Storage Racks

• Cantilever racks do not have any vertical obstructions, making them ideal for storage of long items like pipes, furniture and steel bars. Cantilever racks are equipped with different sized columns and arms, according to weight and load size of the products they will hold.
  
• Drive in racks efficiently use all available space and are ideal when rotation is not a factor. Drive-in racks are beneficial for warehouses in which many pallets are used.
  
• Drive-thru racks are designed to be accessible from both sides and use a first-in/first-out inventory rotation. Drive-thru racks are suitable for applications in which there is a high volume, low mix of products.
  
• Gravity racks are similar to push back racks, except loads are placed on one side and flow towards the other. Gravity racks are used for both cartons and pallets and allow pickers to keep their distance from the forklifts that load the rack from the other side.
  
• Industrial storage racks are metal frameworks used to hold goods.
  
• Pallet racks are best suited for warehouses that need to keep a variety of products on pallets. Pallet racks enable direct access to any stored pallet.
  
• Push back racks have rails that slope gently forward, upon which carts rest, allowing for good storage density. When a new load is put on a cart, it pushes the one at the face back; when the front load is picked, the carts behind it gently move forward.
  
• Rack manufacturers produce storage units.
  
• Warehouse racks allow forklifts to easy locate the pallets stacked on industrial shelves.
  
• Wire storage racks utilize decks made of wire mesh instead of using wood or particleboard decks. Usually made of painted, galvanized steel, wire storage racks are strong and have a more professional appearance.

Storage Racks Terms

Barrel Beam – A structural angle that is welded to a beam, which prevents cylinder-shaped objects from rolling off.
 
Cantilever – A horizontally projecting structure that is supported at one end and carries a load along its length.
 
Clear Aisle – A term that refers to the area from rack to rack in a storage area, subtracting any pallet or load overhang.
 
Clear Stacking Height – Available vertical storage space.
 
Deck – A roofless platform that is connected to at least two sides of a storage rack. The deck is the surface upon which the products are placed.
 
Dedicated Aisle – An aisle in a warehouse that serves one function only, which could be either storage or order selection.
 
Double Deep – Refers to pallets that are stored two deep, one behind the other. This stacking arrangement allows access to the pallets only from the front position and is suitable for high volume-low variation applications.
 
First-In First-Out (FIFO) – A product rotation method in which the first and oldest product is picked first.
 
First-In Last-Out (FILO) – A storage system in which the first and oldest product is picked last, allowing for minimal selectivity.
 
First-In, Still Here Somewhere (FISHS) – Inventory that has been lost or buried.
 
Fork Bar Spacers – Items that provide clearance between beams and loads, providing a means for entry of forklifts.
 
Forklift – A small industrial vehicle with two elongated prongs used for lifting and transporting cargo.
 
Insert Plates – Heavy plates that are welded inside flanges of uprights, adding capacity and strength.
 
Mezzanine – Floorings elevated above the main floor, creating storage both under the mezzanine and on it.
 
Pallet – A movable platform that is used to move and store cargo. Pallets are commonly made of wood or plastic.
 
Post Guard – A device used to protect uprights from damage due to impact.
 
Stacker – A small rolling device with elongated forks, similar to a forklift, that is used to move products and cargo. Some varieties of stackers feature mechanical lifts, while others are manual.
 
Storage Aisle – An aisle in which loads are stacked or materials are picked.
 
Wall Tie – A device that maintains distance between upright rack posts and the walls. Wall ties also increase stability.