Warehouse Storage Solutions: A Comprehensive Guide

Posted on Jul 31, 2024 in Other subjects

Comparative Advantages of Slip Sheets vs. Wooden Pallets

Slip Sheets

• Cost-effective: Priced 50% lower than wooden pallets.
• Enhanced Safety: No risk of splinters or nails.
• Space-saving: Improves storage space by 15%.
• Reduced Freight Costs: Slip sheets weigh significantly less (1 kg) compared to wooden pallets (45 kg).
• Environmentally Friendly: Easily recyclable.

Wooden Pallets

• Material: Radiata pine wood.
• Treatment: Kiln-dried to a maximum humidity of 18%.
• Entries: 4 entries for forklift access.
• Static Load Capacity: 1,400 kg to 4,200 kg.
• Dynamic Load Capacity: 800 kg to 1,400 kg.

Eco Wood Pallets

• Material: Recycled timber.
• Entries: 4 entries for forklift access.
• Static Load Capacity: 1,400 kg to 4,200 kg.
• Dynamic Load Capacity: 800 kg to 1,400 kg.

Warehouse Racking Systems

Manual Racks

• Ideal for storing small to medium-sized materials and inputs.
• Suitable for deposits where the use of lifting equipment is not feasible.
• Perfect for semi-heavy loads requiring frequent manual handling.
• Optimal for order picking (Picking) operations.

Dynamic Racks

• Designed for storing and distributing heavy parts and elements, such as plastic injection molds.
• Robust construction using special steel.
• Fully removable shelves for easy access.
• Equipped with 20 bearings for smooth drawer operation even under full load.
• Maximum load capacity per drawer: 1000 kg.
• Customizable height, load levels, and module configurations.
• Optional doors, back panels, sides, roofs, etc.

Selective Rack

• The most common storage system.
• Configurable shelves to accommodate various product sizes and weights.
• Structural calculations adaptable to different seismic zones.

Advantages of Selective Rack:

• Direct access to all pallets.
• Individual pallet movement without disturbing others.
• Simplified stock control.
• Flexibility in storing diverse cargo weights and volumes.

Drive-In Rack

• Provides high-density storage within a limited space.
• Suitable for storing large quantities of similar products (SKUs) with less emphasis on rotation.
• Recommended minimum storage: 8-12 pallets per item, with each lane dedicated to a single product type.
• Maximizes storage space by eliminating aisles and minimizing forklift maneuvering area.

Picking Rack

• Designed for warehouses where goods are manually loaded and unloaded from shelves instead of using pallets.
• Access to stored products from ground level or elevated platforms via bridges.
• Suitable for medium-load storage.
• Load levels constructed with bolted racks and rails (racks in blue, stringers in orange).
• Metal or wooden panels placed directly on supports within the beams.
• Optional rails to increase load capacity.

Boltless Shelving

• Utilizes industry-standard wood shelves.
• Modular design allows for various configurations, including shelves, workbenches, and tables.
• Easy assembly and disassembly using a plastic hammer, eliminating the need for screws.

Mezzanines

• Structures that increase usable floor space for additional storage, work areas, or offices.
• Cost-effective solution for space optimization.
• Adaptable to specific warehouse needs with customizable sizes, floor types, etc.
• Important considerations during mezzanine planning: access points, workflow, product types, loading/unloading zones, and local regulations.
• Basic components: columns, beams, bracing cables, rails, flooring, and staircases.

Choosing the Right Storage System

Factors to Consider:

• Equipment Features: Capacity, lifting height, aisle width, weight, and cost.
• Space Constraints: Length, width, and floor conditions.
• Inventory Characteristics: Product selectivity, rotation speed, and number of items.

Equipment Comparison:

Barcode Technology

• First patented in 1949 by Norman Woodland and Bernard Silver.
• ITF introduced in 1972.
• PostNet introduced in 1980.
• CCD (Charge Coupled Device) technology applied to scanners in 1981.
• ANS X3.182 specification for linear barcode print quality published in 1990.

How Barcodes Work:

• A barcode scanner emits visible or infrared light onto the barcode.
• Dark bars absorb light while light spaces reflect it back to the scanner.
• The scanner converts light fluctuations into electrical impulses representing the barcode pattern.
• A decoder uses algorithms to translate impulses into binary code.
• The decoded message is transmitted to a terminal, PC, or central computer system.

Benefits of Barcodes:

• Rapid data entry.
• High accuracy (10,000 times more accurate than manual entry).
• Reduced labor costs.
• Faster information access.
• Improved decision-making.
• Minimized profit losses due to data collection errors.

Barcode Standards:

• The EAN symbology has standardized codes for various applications, ensuring uniqueness.
• Adhering to industry standards is recommended for compatibility.

Barcode Density:

• Different symbologies encode varying character counts within a given space.
• Higher density may improve readability but requires compatible scanners.

Barcode Readability:

• Some barcodes are inherently more readable than others (e.g., Code 128).
• Readability may be sacrificed for other requirements.

EAN-8 and UPC-A Codes:

• EAN-8 is a shorter version of EAN-13, containing a 2-3 digit country code, 4-5 data digits, and a checksum digit.
• UPC-A encodes 12 numeric digits, with the first digit indicating the numbering system used.

RFID Technology (Radio Frequency Identification)

• A method for storing and remotely retrieving data using RFID tags.
• RFID tags are small devices (e.g., stickers) attached to products, animals, or people.
• Tags contain antennas to communicate with RFID transmitter-receivers.
• Passive tags rely on external power, while active tags have internal power sources.