Satellite Pallet Racking

Overview of Satellite Pallet Racking

Often know as shuttle racking. The racking is similar in nature to Drive In racking however each level  can be a separate SKU. A shuttle cart is placed on rails under the pallet rails which then travels into the rack and then lifts up to raise the pallet then bring it back the front of the rack. Can be used either as a FIFO or LIFO system.

The pioneers with this system was EAB from Scandinavia who market the product through BT the fork truck company. EAB call their system the shuttle. This system has been out for a number of years and it is therefore a little surprising that more systems have not been sold. Another Scandinavian company followed EAB with the Palletrunner.

This is marketed exclusively in Europe by Still Fork Lift Trucks. Like all good ideas there follows a spurt of similar products developed. Two more modern satellites systems are known as the Autosat and the Pallet Mole. The Pallet Mole is a particularly interesting unit with some very useful features. The patented pallet counting function solves one of the major drawbacks with deep storage systems i.e. knowing how many pallets are in the lane.

The Pallet Mole can also handle pallets on the 1000mm face which is a big advantage over many of the other systems on the market. Many potential users have fears over the reliability of such systems. This is however rather irrational.

The technology is fairly basic and the units are generally at least as reliable as fork lifts trucks. Bearing in mind that the racking normally constitutes 80-90% of the value of a contract it is perhaps worth having an extra satellite for peace of mind but statistically more danger of the delivery vehicle breaking down than the satellite unit.

Satellite pallet racking is a great option for high density storage if you have limited staffing levels. The remote-controlled shuttles carry goods in and out of deep storage tunnels, leaving your operators free to perform other tasks. When you need to relocate the shuttle from one lane to the next, you can use a standard forklift truck.

[bsf-info-box icon=”Defaults-info” icon_size=”32″ pos=”left”]*Short for stock keeping unit, SKU is a unique numerical identifying number that refers to a specific stock item in a retailer’s inventory or product catalog. the SKU is often used to identify the product, product size or type, and the manufacturer.[/bsf-info-box]

Features of Satellite Pallet Racking

[ultimate_icon_list icon_size=”10″ icon_margin=”5″][ultimate_icon_list_item icon=”Defaults-check”]More stock readily available when compared to drive in racking[/ultimate_icon_list_item][ultimate_icon_list_item icon=”Defaults-check”]Can be designed to give complete stock rotation[/ultimate_icon_list_item][ultimate_icon_list_item icon=”Defaults-check”]Minimises fork truck travel distances when designed properly the shuttle does the travelling[/ultimate_icon_list_item][/ultimate_icon_list]
[info_list style=”square no_bg” font_size_icon=”24″][info_list_item list_title=”Achieve high density storage” icon_type=”custom” icon_img=”null|http://www.palletracking.com/wp-content/uploads/Accessibility.png”]You can stack pallets far deeper with shuttle racking than any other racking, enabling you to really maximise your warehouse space.[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=”Maintain accessibility” icon_type=”custom” icon_img=”null|http://www.palletracking.com/wp-content/uploads/high%20density%20storage.png”]Despite storage being high density, the shuttle gives you individual access to each storage tunnel.[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=”Switch rotation models easily” icon_type=”custom” icon_img=”null|http://www.palletracking.com/wp-content/uploads/Switch%20rotation%20models.png”]You can switch from a first in, first out (FIFO) system to a last in, first out (LIFO) system at the push of a button.[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=”Increase productivity” icon_type=”custom” icon_img=”null|http://www.palletracking.com/wp-content/uploads/Increase%20productivity.png”]While the shuttle transports the load to and from the face of the racking and loads the lane, your truck operator is free to work elsewhere, increasing your handling capacity. You can also send the shuttle into the tunnel to count or reorganise the pallets or move them closer to the unloading point.[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=”Minimise damage” icon_type=”custom” icon_img=”null|http://www.palletracking.com/wp-content/uploads/Minimise%20damage.png”]The shuttle handles pallets in the rack, so the risk of damage is minimised.[/info_list_item][/info_list]

Specifications of Satellite Pallet Racking

[ultimate_icon_list icon_size=”10″ icon_margin=”5″][ultimate_icon_list_item icon=”Defaults-check”]Fork truck operators need specialist training[/ultimate_icon_list_item][ultimate_icon_list_item icon=”Defaults-check”]The rear pallet cannot be accessed without first moving the front pallet[/ultimate_icon_list_item][ultimate_icon_list_item icon=”Defaults-check”]Needs good housekeeping to be efficient[/ultimate_icon_list_item][ultimate_icon_list_item icon=”Defaults-check”]Back pallets de-rate at higher levels due to the telescopic forks[/ultimate_icon_list_item][/ultimate_icon_list]

Uses of Satellite Pallet Racking

Satellite Pallet Racking is a great option for high density storage if you have limited staffing levels. The remote-controlled shuttles carry goods in and out of deep storage tunnels, leaving your operators free to perform other tasks. When you need to relocate the shuttle from one lane to the next, you can use a standard forklift truck.

[ultimate_icon_list icon_size=”10″ icon_margin=”5″][ultimate_icon_list_item icon=”Defaults-check”]Storing a large number of pallets per SKU*.[/ultimate_icon_list_item][ultimate_icon_list_item icon=”Defaults-check”]Either first in, first out (FIFO) or last in, first out (LIFO) storage.[/ultimate_icon_list_item][ultimate_icon_list_item icon=”Defaults-check”]Warehouses with limited human resources, as the shuttle does a big proportion of the work.[/ultimate_icon_list_item][ultimate_icon_list_item icon=”Defaults-check”]Ensuring efficient retrieval times, as the FLT travel distance is reduced.[/ultimate_icon_list_item][/ultimate_icon_list]

Drawbacks of Satellite Pallet Racking

[ultimate_icon_list icon_size=”10″ icon_margin=”5″][ultimate_icon_list_item icon=”Defaults-check”]Not good for stock rotation[/ultimate_icon_list_item][ultimate_icon_list_item icon=”Defaults-check”]If a pallet collapses within the rack there can be retrieval issues[/ultimate_icon_list_item][ultimate_icon_list_item icon=”Defaults-check”]Maximum weight typically 1500kgs per pallet[/ultimate_icon_list_item][ultimate_icon_list_item icon=”Defaults-check”]Maximum height typically 8-10000mm[/ultimate_icon_list_item][ultimate_icon_list_item icon=”Defaults-check”]Can be used with must types of trucks[/ultimate_icon_list_item][/ultimate_icon_list]
[ultimate_icon_list icon_size=”10″ icon_margin=”5″][ultimate_icon_list_item]Initial cost: 649[/ultimate_icon_list_item][ultimate_icon_list_item]Typical 5 year cost: 2166[/ultimate_icon_list_item][ultimate_icon_list_item]Effective utilisation: 80[/ultimate_icon_list_item][/ultimate_icon_list]