Flow racks allow materials to be introduced on one side of the unit and flow through it to the other side. They are also called live- storage racks; gravity-feed racks, point-of-use racks, and flow chutes. The number of levels, the number of lanes, and the external footprint define the characteristics of a flow rack. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
Ridg-U-Rak®, Inc.
North East, PA | 866-479-7225Ridg-U-Rak produces more than 100 million pounds of pallet rack, high density storage rack and specialized rack systems annually. A customer-centric, full-service pallet rack producer with over 400,000 square feet of production and warehouse space, Ridg-U-Rak offers engineering, design, project management and installation services that meet your pallet rack needs on time and on budget.
Steel King Industries, Inc.
Stevens Point, WI | 800-826-0203Steel King offers the industry’s widest selection of rack types, including roll-form and structural pallet racks, drive-in racks, gravity flow and push back storage systems, multi-level pick modules, automation integration, cantilever racks, portable racks, and custom shipping racks. Plus a full-line of guard rail and rack protection products. Full engineering staff and more than 200 standard Quick Ship products.
Quality Material Handling, Inc.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 800-404-RACKQuality Material Handling (QMH) is a leading total solutions provider for boltless shelving, warehouse racking, storage systems, mezzanines, and dock equipment. With over 29 years of experience and an in-house fabrication facility, QMH designs and manufactures innovative custom solutions such as dock platforms and ramps that solve difficult loading and unloading challenges. We are a full-service warehouse solutions provider committed to doing things the right way.
Metalware
Montreal, QC | 833-937-9533Metalware has been known as a leader in the storage racks and steel shelving industries since 1954. We strive to provide excellent customer service, high-quality products, and competitive prices. Our experienced team of engineers and technicians work closely with customers to ensure that each product is designed and manufactured to their exact specifications. Over the years, we have continued to grow and expand, raising industry standards in the process.
Husky Rack & Wire
Denver, NC | 800-438-5629Husky Rack & Wire is a leading storage rack manufacturer that provides high-quality welded wire decks, pallet racks, security wire partition enclosures and warehouse racks. Husky Rack & Wire is committed to customer satisfaction and high-quality products. Visit our website today!
Storage Solutions
Westfield, IN | 866-881-0201Storage Solutions is a manufacturer of mezzanines, work platforms, pallets, shelving and more! We were founded in 1978 in central Indiana with multiple locations to serve our customers from. We work to give engineers and managers of warehouses and distributions centers a manufacturer they can count on! Our project managers work with you to ensure that your project goes as planned from start to finish. We have our own installation teams that have decades of experience. We offer both new and used equipment to help you find the perfect solution that fits in your budget! Call us today to learn how we can help you!
How Flow Racks Work
Flow racks utilize gravity in moving equipment, they don’t require human action. The flow mechanism can be roller tracks with wheels, flow rails, a surface at an angle, or a flat surface that allows free movement. Flow rack systems are designed in such a way that they have a slight slope downward starting from the load end and going down to the unload end. When a material is placed in the first position by the operator, the material starts to roll forward towards the unload end. In the lane, speed controllers are installed to ensure the safe travel of the pallet from the load end to the unload end. One of the uses of flow racks is to carry pallets from one end to the other.
Types of Flow Racks
The different types of flow racks include:
Flow Racks with Rollers
These types are the most commonly used of all types. Flow racks with rollers require two aisles: one for the insertion of pallets into the corresponding channel and the other for their extraction. Because of this separation, there is no interruption of the incoming and outgoing traffic and maneuverability by forklift operators is gained. These flow-racking systems usually include a safety aisle in the middle of the unit for emergency use.
Push-Back Flow Racks
In these types of racking systems, the loading of pallets is done from the same end in a way that makes only the front aisle necessary. This helps in saving a large amount of storage space. These racking systems are utilized with loads that are handled in line with last-in, first-out flows and have a medium turnover. The structure of push-back flow racks is made up of carts as well as rails. The incoming pallets are pushed into the channel by the handling equipment, while they are then drawn forward towards the front position of the channel by gravity itself. The structures that incorporate rollers can accumulate up to 6 pallets deep.
Flow Racks and Automated Systems
Flow-racking systems that consist of rollers can be installed with stacker cranes for pallets, thus they serve as the base storage system for a warehouse that is automated. This combination is not usual, but it goes a distance further from double-deep racking because there can be an addition of many pallets depth-wise.
Carton Flow Racks
They utilize gravity for speeding up the picking and order preparation process for equipment having a high turnover that follows first in, first out flow. These racking systems consist of rollers or wheels that serve to move the boxes to the unload end. Carton flow racks are designed for shortening picking travel times, freeing the picking area from any interference, and increasing storage space.
Application of Flow Racks
- Flow racks are designed to move cardboard boxes, unpackaged parts, bins, totes, pallets, or material of almost any kind.
- They separate the delivery area from the work zone of the operator. Between those two functions, flow racks create separation.
- They are mostly used in the manufacturing industries rather than in distribution.
- Flow racks are used for staging orders for shipment. They can also be used in picking systems for the storage of pallet loads of goods or case picking that is of high volume.
Benefits of Flow Racks
- They provide the right quantity of material to the operator in the right space at the right time. Flow racks reduce lifting, bending, guessing, and reaching in a process.
- Flow racks control the flow of material. A flow rack that is eight feet long is capable of holding eight feet worth of boxes. They offer support to production control as well as the logistics team for the application of the right process.
- Flow racks are cost-efficient and they provide storage space for dense material.
- Adjustment of shelves to meet product dimensions is possible.
