Pallet Shuttle
Pallet Shuttle is ideal for fast moving storage mainly because it makes it possible for automated loading and retrieval of pallets within a constant flow. This can be made possible if you use a remote control that wirelessly links to the shuttle cart. Pallet Shuttle is actually a semi-automatic pallet storage method that utilises self-driven shuttle carts which move independently in the racking to optimise storage productivity.
The theory is to reduce forklift operator travel time by controlling the shuttle carts remotely as a way to position loaded pallets either deep within the system or retrieve them all set for collection by the forklift driver. This can be possible since the shuttle carts are placed on tracks or rails which run the complete depth in the Pallet Shuttle block. Conventional pallet racking relies on runs of racking separated by aisles. With Pallet Shuttle and other large density racking solutions the aisles are eliminated, effectively creating a solid block of racking. Utilising a block of racking as opposed to runs with aisles, the forklift truck only has access to the outside pallet locations so that the finished location of the actual pallet is completed by the shuttle cart which does the job of going to the internal pallet positions.
The process is simple yet extremely efficient. Loaded pallets are positioned at the front end of the Pallet Shuttle system and directly onto rails which operate the depth of the system. The rails are made so both pallets and shuttle are supported however they enable the shuttle to run freely underneath the pallets and place itself directly beneath any particular one prior to moving. Once the shuttle is stationary, its top platform rises up taking the weight of the pallet. The shuttle then moves on the rails in to the racking system where it deposits the pallet within the next accessible position. The shuttle then comes back to the entrance of the system available for the next drive cycle.
Pallet Shuttle systems allow a warehouse to function both a FIFO and LIFO rotation system. A LIFO process is the most popular of these two because entry to just one single side of the block of racking is necessary for operation enabling a larger range of options on the Pallet Shuttle location inside the building. The FIFO technique calls for usage of each side on the Pallet Shuttle system as loading is performed at one side while retrieval or unloading comes from another side. Therefore the first pallet into the system will also be the first out. Just before the final pallet is positioned into a lane to fill it up to capacity, the shuttle has to be extracted and inserted into an alternate lane. The shuttle can be placed into any lane that the driver picks and it would depend on which pallets will need handling next.
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Pallet Shuttle Strengths
A main advantage of the Pallet Shuttle system is the high density storage which is often achieved. Evey sq/m of room within the factory carries an overhead so maximising readily available space is critical in an effective warehouse procedure. Because all pallets will be condensed, both productivity and safety are usually increased. Since a certain working approach is necessary, using a Pallet Shuttle system additional care and consideration must be taken when planning the way the Pallet Shuttle ought to be used. This improved degree of control usually means a shorter period will be misused on finding particular SKUs when for example compared to a typical APR system. Safety factors are enhanced for a variety of reasons, not least because a lower number of forklift trucks are needed to service a specific area of the warehouse. Forklift truck access aisles needed for other pallet racking systems may produce blind spots where visibility is restricted, it is less of an issue with Pallet Shuttle. Conversely, due to the design configuration associated with a Pallet Shuttle system the structure is far more resilient to accidental collisions and this is because of the height to width proportion being more than pallet racking with aisles. An excellent advantage is the fact a lot fewer pallets face onto aisles which decreases pallet damage ensuring goods are better protected.
This lowering of aisles indicates greater storage space can be obtained so warehouse capacity is much larger and storage expenses per pallet tend to be significantly less. As said before, a lot fewer forklift trucks will be required so expenses in relation to this equipment which include purchases, lease agreements and maintenance can also be far lower.Pallet Shuttle systems enable automatic control of stock by making use of sensors to count the quantity of pallets kept in the system. This lowers stocktaking time and cuts down the quantity or warehouse employees required to get involved in a stocktaking operation. materialsHaving the precise number of pallets available at any time usually means far better judgements can be achieved when purchasing inventory materials for production. It also helps when quoting correct lead times for shipping when up-to-date inventory levels are identified.
More effective control of your inventory is achievable drastically using barcodes as well as remote control to instruct the shuttle to exactly where to go. Accuracy is extremely important and the use of Pallet Shuttle reduces margins of error. Bar codes can be located in a way in order that the forklift truck driver can scan the codes without leaving the forklift cab. The remote control makes certain the correct pallet is ready for collection before the forklift truck driver is in position.Pallet Shuttle is configured to be a high density block that means forklift truck drivers do not have to get into an aisle in an effort to access a pallet. This scenario is very beneficial as pallets are either loaded or unloaded as most damage to a racking system takes place throughout these manoeuvres. The forklift driver is definitely less likely to experience a constrained turning space meaning the racking system is unlikely to be on the receiving end of any accident. A decrease in these kinds of impacts lessens maintenance expenses and decreases downtime while necessary visual inspections are made to look for damage. Also the pallet may be loaded / unloaded a lot sooner because more room is accessible to manoeuvre.
Pallet Shuttle as stated before is actually both ideal for FIFO and LIFO stock management solutions. Because of this flexibility it is an excellent solution to get used inside cold stores running at -30°C. Space for storage inside freezers and cold stores is certainly much more of a premium and therefore should be optimised as efficiently as possible. Time spent in a cold store by a forklift truck driver must be kept to an overall minimum so any system which allows faster pallet moves is certainly highly advised. In Pallet Shuttle, mobile carts move independently once given an instruction from your remote control. This produces a continuous handling flow which speeds up procedures. As soon as the instruction is received, the forklift truck driver has a chance to collect the next pallet and get back to the racking face just at the actual moment the shuttle has returned prepared for the next load. This process can increase throughput by 30 Percent and minimise the need for more forklift truck operators.
Pallet Shuttle Systems
The actual mobile cart found in Pallet Shuttle offers the latest technology to guarantee low maintenance expenses and highly safe operations. It operates on a standard rechargeable lithium battery pack at an entry level controlled from a basic multifunction remote control with LED display. The Modern high-performance lithium-ion electric battery has no memory effect, speedier recharging, high number of charging cycles, is of light-weight construction and is an easily-removed battery pack.
Pallet Shuttle carts are actually next-generation developed for the automatic storage of pallets within classic Pallet Shuttle. Using this process ensures automated high density storage enabling the highest exploitation of warehouse volume. Its usefulness can be most evident when it comes to recurring emptying and filling within the same channel or lanes assisting buffer area management. Along with basic shuttle storage, our Pallet Shuttle system provides quite a few important capabilities of reordering, counting, crash avoidance, manual management and others.
There are actually three different models of the Pallet Shuttle carts starting with the basic multifunction remote control with LED. Another level is actually a damp resistant type intended for fluid loads, this is possible due to the steel construction that is completely stainless and washable. The ultimate option is the Wifi operated system with WMS (Warehouse Management Software) communication that links between the handheld and AGV laser beam guided shuttles. Pallet Shuttle systems offer you fast and noiseless handling, fast operation, state-of-the-art safety devices, in addition to a powerful self-securing system from the heightened position with on-board load. On account of the unique design most Pallet Shuttle carts can be used with any Pallet Shuttle system plus the system is appropriate for all industrial industries. There is not any modification required to the forklift trucks to be able to manage a Pallet Shuttle cart so that as stated is suitable for operating in -30°C.
The state-of-the-art technology permits innovative places with laserlight engineering that stay clear of pockets and cams in the guides. It also features translation wheels in Vulkollan for exceptional silence and significantly greater velocity. Using a Pallet Shuttle system you are able to achieve more effective control over storage activities where items will always be facing front inside the warehouse averting damage to structures and stored goods. The user interface when designed with the modern generation warehouse management software offers frequent monitoring of storage activities. The engineered Pallet Shuttle system is well suited for just about any pallet. Pallets must be in good condition to prevent unforeseen failure of the pallet while under load. Pallets from any manufacturer or dimensions are suitable for Pallet Shuttle systems so whether one has 1200mm, 1000mm or any other size, a Pallet Shuttle system will outperform most other systems.
The battery is easily handled as it’s a lightweight 48v lithium Ion. A single charge of the battery will give an eight hr working capacity based upon a throughput of 30 pallets hourly. The shuttle itself features a low battery notice system with programmed return home function. This characteristic makes sure that at no point during the operations can be even the slightest danger the shuttle may run out of power while positioned deep within the racking. Whenever a Pallet Shuttle system is utilised inside a cold store even at conditions of -30°C there is not any reduction in electrical power or reduction in operational efficiency. A Pallet Shuttle system requires very little repairs and maintenance and also the remote control can work at a distance of 150m that enables substantial lane depths. Also, they are suitable for many WMS (warehouse management systems).
Pallet Shuttle Applications
Semi-computerized Pallet Shuttle is really a solution that optimises space and production in the storage area. The most important applications of Pallet Shuttle are usually appropriate to provide the following. Industrial environments . with higher loading and unloading activity, and need to have high warehouse production. Manufacturing facilities with a reduced quantity of product SKUs and keep an increased number of pallets. Industrial environments with seasonal merchandise that require fast and flexible procedures in particular periods of time. Industrial environments with cold rooms or freezing stores due to the optimum compaction from the space Pallet Shuttle permits, in addition to the time saving for the loading and unloading of pallets. Also because of its double FIFO and LIFO management capacity, it is usually perfect for manufacturing facilities with both perishable and non-perishable merchandise, based on the preferred setup.
Stocking your large quantity inventory items in racking designed for reduced quantity stock wastes space. Within a location where Pallet Shuttle will be used, pallet storage capacity is more than doubled. Pallet Shuttle solutions certainly are an established space efficient way to store volume loads for example food, drink and also other palletised items. These kinds of goods are generally kept in drive in, push back racking or pallet live storage racking systems. Every one of these systems are specially designed for large volume low SKU applications. An easy method to visualise a Pallet Shuttle system is to imagine a traditional drive in racking system because the two are quite similar in construction. Both systems are made as cuboid blocks with each has got sets of rails feeding deep in to the system. With both methods, pallets will be placed on these rails but the handling needed to load and unload is drastically different.
With Drive In racking the forklift truck physically manoeuvres into each lane while carrying the pallet at a level to match the rail levels where it will be placed. Pallet Shuttle still depends on rails to support the pallets though the rail is engineered also to secure the shuttle module giving it total access down and up each lane. When a forklift truck driver needs to carefully drive back and forth in each aisle of Drive In Racking the Pallet Shuttle system executes the same task but remotely and far faster.
You can think of Pallet Shuttle being a drive in system that has advanced to the next level. The forklift driver simply must place the pallet on top of the rail in the front-most area then sit back and let the shuttle do the rest. The built-in detector makes it possible for the shuttle to recognize its present location and also where it must be next. Unloading is simply the same procedure carried out in the opposite direction.
To run a shuttle system a standard counterbalance forklift truck will be all that's required although a reach truck or perhaps articulated forklift truck would be able to carry out the task. The forklift truck operator can start another job while the shuttle moves the pallet towards the proper storage position.
Pallet Shuttle High density storage at height. Pallet Shuttle systems offer a similar capacity to push back and drive in racking systems in terms of cubic storage. Pallet Shuttle systems are however a much more workable solution for deep storage that takes advantage of high ceilings in contemporary high bay warehousing. Pallet Live storage and push back racking all come across complications when pushing at height. Drive In solutions also have difficulty when lifting past a specific number of rail levels in height in relation to control and selectivity.
FIFO or first In First Out pallet live storage requires a very consistent placement of pallets to avoid crabbing, this ends up being more challenging to prevent the higher up you travel. The remote controlled Pallet Shuttle system handles these complications by permitting pallets to be placed at height at the front of the racking without stressing the forklift mast particularly when it is required to push into the racking system. and also beA pallet can then be placed on the shuttle cart in front of the racking and be reliably transported further into the racking without the chance of crabbing or catching.
Because Drive In racking becomes slower to operate with very high rail levels, increased care and attention is necessary to place the pallet properly at height. Pallet Shuttle negates these problems using the shuttle itself performing the positional work for you and guaranteeing the ideal location each and every time. All that is required is that the pallet is placed well enough in between the side rails at the front end in the racking system.
Pallet Shuttle additional factors
By using any pallet storage method accurate pallet placement will be of the utmost importance. Poorly positioned pallets can result in decreased performance or even damage to the goods stored. With that in mind the Pallet Shuttle system could be adjusted to enable variable distance between pallets. Therefore even where pallet loads overhang the pallet there is not any possibility of contact being made between any two pallet loads. The location of the pallets is carefully guided employing laser light technologies and anti-collision detectors.
So a Pallet Shuttle system will increase productivity while attaining high density and maintaining accessibility. If you have a low roof structure, Pallet Shuttle is especially beneficial given it means it is possible to still realise high capacity storage without investment in a high bay warehouse facility. You can actually utilise much more floor area because the significant decrease in aisles required with conventional pallet racking systems. All of the aisle space can be directly used for storage.
With a Pallet Shuttle system you will find one obvious compromise that you need to make and that is certainly selectivity. Because Pallet Shuttle is a high density block this means there are actually decreased pick faces relative to the amount of pallets being stored. Because of this, Pallet Shuttle is acceptable for particular applications. In the right scenarios, Pallet Shuttle is an important inventory control and storage method. It helps to keep pallets of delicate or high value merchandise secure and safe and well catalogued.
While being much like both Push back racking and pallet live storage, Pallet Shuttle provides the additional advantage of a better product range it will store. Pallets comprising breakable, loose or unbound merchandise could collapse when used in a push back or pallet live system whereas a Pallet Shuttle system would be able to store these products without difficulty.
Pallet live storage needs contact in between the stored goods in whichever configuration it is configured. FIFO systems rely upon the pallets bumping up against one another to be able to stop and LIFO systems like push back racking requires the pallets push against each other each time a new pallet is added in.
This kind of contact should occur between pallets instead of the products themselves but a guarantee of getting pallet to pallet contact in a push back system at height will be more difficult to achieve the further up the side rails go. A FIFO system makes it necessary that no pallets have any wrapping overhang in order to achieve this.
It could be an issue when confronted with pallets of fragile items that should ideally be stored clear of contact or a probability of nudging or maybe have a pallet overhang. Such items can include large bins of light-weight but stable products that may nudge off of the pallet when forced. Maybe the pallet has a lot more stable but inherently delicate goods, such as glass bottles.
Selectivity is undoubtedly an area Pallet Shuttle could leave you wanting. Whilst Pallet Shuttle gives a amount of selectivity by permitting operation at a rail by rail basis, it can also be much less selective than APR or powered mobile racking. The deeper the lanes are in Pallet Shuttle the lower the selectivity and the greater the necessity for commonality between inventory. A system which is eight pallets deep for instance will require those eight positions on each rail are identical products or products which will be accessed together to be an efficient utilisation of the system.
Pallet Shuttle Summary
Automatic storage systems like Pallet Shuttle tend to be a remarkable sight when guiding prospective customers around your warehouse. Whilst this shouldn’t be the only grounds for buying a powered Pallet Shuttle storage system; this is a real advantage the fact that loading, unloading and also the operation of your Pallet Shuttle system is a fascinating display.
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