Warehouse racks and industrial shelving are sort of like alligators and crocodiles: they look alike, they do similar things, and they are often mixed up. Both are vertical structures that have horizontal shelves for industrial storage. But they aren’t the same thing–they have distinctive missions and functions. Most warehouses use both types of storage for various types of loads, and there are gray areas where either can be used, depending on the storage strategy. Knowing the differences can help you store your inventory more efficiently and effectively.
Racks, Shelving and Automation: Options for Effective Storage
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Pallet Rack Evaluation: Storage Density
Space utilization has always been important, but in today’s environment of tight real estate, materials and labor, it’s critical to efficiently use every last inch of your space. Industrial space is in high demand, so finding ways to squeeze more from your pallet rack system is more important than ever. Is underutilized square footage is hiding in your rack system?
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Pallet Racks and Outdoor Storage
Above:Â outdoor pallet rack with wind break wall and sloped roof
Most pallet racks and other industrial storage rack types are used indoors, safe from the rigors of cold, heat and wind, but some storage applications demand outdoor storage. We see those frequently in retail, manufacturing and fabrication operations. Sometimes, rack storage also serves as overflow in distribution operations or warehousing. Seasonal storage is often an outdoor racking application.
For outdoor installations, rack specifications can be different from indoor applications for the exact same load profiles due to environmental factors and the punishment racks take from wind and elements. But you can use racks outdoors safely.
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Guide To Industrial Space Optimization
Taking advantage of every inch within your facility space is critical to push operations forward. The new Cisco-Eagle guide to space optimization shows how layout affects everything you do, and what the right design and equipment offer.
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How to Design and Utilize Storage Buffers
Buffers can be found in most warehouses and manufacturing facilities, and they take many forms. You can build buffers into racks, floor space, conveyors or external storage areas like truck trailers. When you need to temporarily store materials before they enter putaway, shipment, kitting, processing, or another production process, what are some of the best design, equipment specification and usage practices?
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Warehouse Bins & Containers Specification
Most warehouses use bins, cartons or containers as bulk product shipments are broken into “eaches” or smaller quantities for putaway, storage and eventual picking. This is also largely true of assembly and manufacturing lines where components are transported between workstations and work is progressively done. While they don’t exactly break the bank given their costs, specifying the wrong container can result in a less efficient, less ergonomic operation.
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Vertical Pallet Movement Options
In modern warehouses and manufacturing facilities, the vertical cube should be fully exploited, meaning that you should use overhead air space in your storage and processing operations because it’s less expensive and more efficient. Before you expand or relocate, it’s always better to use that space. You’ve already paid for it and the environmental costs of using it.
Using that space comes with some limitations. One is that you’ll need to transport pallets up to mezzanines or other machinery. While that’s more difficult than moving cartons or other lighter loads, there are ways. Let’s examine some of those options.
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The Basement Tapes – Tenant Lockers Options For Your Condo
As multi-family apartments and condominiums are continuing to be constructed at a fast pace nationwide, the need for those that dwell in those spaces to store their belongings is a need that never goes away, only amplified by our e-commerce consumer culture. If your location doesn’t offer storage for tenant excess, then consider using storage lockers to solve this problem and (possibly) make you some extra money.
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How to Specify Your Mezzanine Project
Increasing space in your current facility is a big decision that requires an evaluation from a number of perspectives for the best outcome. Mezzanines are a common, relatively fast and economical way to add space to warehouses, factories, hangars and other commercial facilities. You should work through the following considerations for mezzanine design and specification.
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When Pallet Rack Expertise is Critical
Pallet rack is the most common storage equipment you will find in most warehouses and industrial storage applications. On its face, rack is simple to specify, purchase and install, but there are situations where you should consult an expert involving space efficiency, seismic zones, safety, difficult loads and other situations. Let’s look into some situations where professional help is necessary.
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