What are the advantages of drive in racking?

28, Oct. 2024

 

Drive-in Racking System: Advantages and Disadvantages

Drive-in racking systems are an ideal way of not only sprucing up your warehouse, so it has a competitive edge, but of making your current supply chain more effective. A drive-in racking system is a perfect solution to some of the many challenges that plague storage facilities. Let's inform you about the pros, the cons, and what lies in-between this revolutionary method. 

Link to Maxrac

What is a drive-in racking system?

A drive-in pallet system or rack is currently one of the most used methods of storage handling. It is an excellent handling solution for high-volume SKUs. This system packs a punch in a truly small space. The best thing about them is that their design is relatively simple. Also, the system needs little retrofit of your current conditions to accommodate.

How does a drive-in pallet racking system work?

A drive-in racking system works the following way:

  • Pallets are placed on a static parallel structure consisting of rails instead of carts and wheels. One on top of the other.
  • These pallets remain stationary in a set of stand-by patterns until they are removed and relocated by the forklift.
  • The system allows you to store a greater number of pallets. 
  • It permits you to scale up your operation, taking in more inventory, without having to lease or purchase more warehouse space. 

Types of drive-in racking systems

  • Single entry: forklift access is granted on one side. This is the standard drive-in racking system configuration ' most widely used in the food and beverage industry since it is ideal for coolers and large freezers. 
  • Double-entry: forklift access on both sides of racking ' this system was designed to allow quick access to pallets from the rear. Normally, this type of structure varies, and over time, to differentiate itself, it has acquired the nickname of 'drive-through racking system.'

Benefits of a drive-in racking system

Warehouse space optimization

A drive-in racking system allows you to reconfigure your warehouse space ' Cutting out the fat and making it leaner and more efficient. By moving to an optimized line and storage configuration clients have managed to grow their storage space by 80%. 

Having a versatile and dense-oriented system with fewer aisles allows you to use less space. 

High-density storage

One of the main, and oftentimes most important benefits of a drive-in racking system, is the fact that it allows you to better your density storage. It maximizes your warehouse and adds value to it. This type of system has the potential to multiply the amount of usable square footage. A properly optimized system can withstand between 6-8 pallets deep. 

Easy to move, change the structure, and upgrade as needed

With a few training sessions, your employees and warehouse personnel can become incredibly adaptable in managing this type of system. Its cross-beam patterns are easy to navigate. All your employees, particularly your forklift drivers, need some added training on loading procedures.

Another great advantage is that the system is easily upgradable ' you can add more storage with just a few fixes. 

Great for storing a large number of homogenous materials

The versatility of a drive-in racking system has its limits ' which doesn't necessarily make it a con. Most of these systems are optimized for one type of product or material. 

Low maintenance and low assembly costs

A drive-in racking system is extremely affordable and easy to assemble. Not only that, but due to its high quality and durable materials, it is exceptionally practical when it comes to maintenance. 

Disadvantages of a drive-in pallet racking system

Drive-in racking systems are mainly used in certain industries, and not all, because their configuration, to truly harness its potential, only allows for the storage of one type of product. 

Another possible disadvantage is that managers will have to address their current inventory management criteria. Systems of this type, due to their stationary method, may cause problems with inventory and bookkeeping. 

Finally, it's important to note that forklift drivers will have to take a course or at least familiarize themselves with the new system ' following guidelines by OSHA and supported by your facility manager to retrieve and place pallets without damaging the structure. 

For more information, please visit drive in rack system factory.

Drive-in racking system and your warehouse

Finding a system that meets your needs can be challenging. Nonetheless, this unique type of racking system is a versatile solution that will optimize your distribution and storage capabilities. To gain insight about advantages and disadvantages specific to your unique operations, feel free to contact us for consultation.

What is drive in racking and why do people use it?

Both drive in and drive through rack systems allow more efficient use of available space than traditional multi-aisle selective pallet racks systems because they are compacted into a tighter area. In fact, when compared to a conventional selective rack system , the same amount of storage can be achieved with a high density drive in or drive through pallet rack shelving system in 80% less space.

While traditional static rack storage allows for many rows of pallet racking with aisles between individual rows, high density storage shelving allows for a much more dense, compact arrangement of your stored product.

If you have a lot of inventory that shifts on a regular basis , drive in or drive through rack is a high density pallet rack shelving solution you may want to consider.

Common Terms Often Associated With Drive In & Drive Through Racks

These are some terms associated with drive in pallet storage racking:

  • Drive in racks
  • Drive-thru racks
  • Drive through racks
  • Pallet flow racks
  • Pallet flow rails
  • Flow thru racks
  • Push-back racks
  • Spacesaver racks
  • High density storage
  • Deep pallet storage
  • Mobile shelving
  • Mobile storage shelving

Drive In Pallet Racks vs. Selective Pallet Racking

There are two key differences between drive in storage rack and selective pallet storage rack. With drive in rack, the forklift truck drives into the rack's bays to get to the stored product. With selective rack, the product is accessed from the front, back or sides of the rack but the forklift doesn't actually go inside the rack. There are no specified lanes between the rows with drive in. The bays can be as long or as short as needed.

Drive in rack and drive through rack systems decrease storage and retrieval time while increasing efficiency and productivity among workers. Not only do they benefit your operations, they can also decrease your bottom line by giving you more storage room per dollar spent on racking. Because these racks create a more uniform load in a confined storage area, your forklift operators working in the system become more skillful drivers. In addition to these benefits, consider this ' drive in and drive through systems are very energy efficient. Since the product is so densely loaded in this type of system, there is less air to be heated or cooled between your pallets and your forklifts don't need to drive as far to pick or place loads, thereby using less fuel.

Pallet Racking vs. Drive In Racking Comparison

Clearly, drive in or drive through is not for every warehouse, however it is exceptionally good at storing large quantities of palletized materials in a smaller space than would be afforded by selective pallet rack (see figure 6).



Within the class of drive in or drive through racks are several notable configurations ' most commonly defined by the length of storage time and ease of retrieval needed for the product being stored (see figure 7).


One Way Drive In ' Last In First Out (LIFO)
Material is both stored and retrieved from the same side (entry point) in several aisles. For this reason, the first material put in this system is the last to come out. This works well where shelf life is at a minimum or not a major concern. This system also works well in cold storage environments or warehouse freezers.

Two Way Drive In ' Multi First In Last Out System
Arranging drive in to be enter-able from two sides allows for maximum space usage and easy product accessibility from two separate sides.

Drive Through ' First In First Out (FIFO)
Free access from both sides allows materials to be stored from one end and retrieved from the other. With this capability, a first in/first out storage arrangement is made possible. This system is used where there is expiration-dated material or wherever shelf life is of major concern.

The company is the world’s best shanghai max industries co. ltd supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.