Usefulness and Constraints of Pallet

Usefulness of Pallets

Advantages of wood pallets:
- easy to reuse, recycle, and repair.
- rigid and durable.
- cost-effective; they are the least expensive pallet material.
- made with scrap-quality wood that would probably be discarded because it is of low cosmetic value.
- biodegradable.
- Less than 3 percent of wooden pallets end up in landfills.

Advantages of plastics pallets
· offer durability
· hygienic surface
· reusability
· recyclability
· serve six to 10 years while an average wood pallet will last three to four years
· Reduced repair expenses, less product damage, streamlined operating efficiencies, improved use of warehouse space, elimination of wood disposal costs, and a safer, cleaner work environment
· Since plastic pallets don't absorb moisture, their weight is constant, making them easier to handle and allowing for outside storage.

Advantages of steel pallets
· often considered to be indestructible


Welded wire pallets have many advantages over wood skids
· higher tensile strength
· greater durability/ life span
· offering superior moisture resistance
· non porous
· will not support bacteria growth or insect larvae.

Constraints of Pallet

1. When they are unloaded, and stacked although they occupy only a small amount of space, they often become jammed with each other because of their conical feet and can thus be stacked only with great difficulty by hand, and not at all mechanically.

2. Pallets are manufactured from timber, the efficient cleaning of the pallets also arises in that it can be hard to satisfactorily clean the pallet and it is disadvantage especially when transporting goods that may be of a perishable or edible nature.

3. As timber pallet are constructed from a number of component parts, the cost of manufacturing and assembling the pallets is higher than desirable.

4. The labour content involved in the assembly means that such pallets have excessive assembly cost.

5.The cost of shipping goods on such known pallets is higher

6.Wooden pallets can contain invasive species of insects and plant diseases and have to be treated in order to be ship internationally.

7.Wooden pallets can get mouldy if they are exposed to moisture.

8.Wooden pallets can contain splinters.

Specifications/Information/Details of Pallets

The Importance of Pallet Specifications

Pallets are the primary interface between the finished goods and the material handling equipment.

It should provide a safe, effective shipping and storing platform throughout demanding and diverse situations in the unit load process.

It should take into consideration not only the unit load weight requirements, but all of the material handling situations the load will encounter including: free span racking, conveyor travel, forklift handling, and AGV systems.

It can be designed to accommodate any unique automated equipment performance requirements and involve among other things the product, its configuration and packaging type.

Summing up, an appropriately designed pallet can reduce product damage rates by eliminating or lessening the consequences of impacts, protruding objects and heavy loads. Correct specifications can increase material handling efficiency in all phases of the unit load process.

A proper pallet specification should also take into consideration not only the unit load weight requirements, but all of the materials handling situations the load will encounter.

Details of pallets

Old and discarded wooden pallets can be used in pallet crafts.
· can also be used as a supply of free or nearly free firewood, although for safety reasons, the amount of softwood pallets burned in a fireplace should be limited in order to prevent creosote buildup. Some consider it risky to use pallets for firewood because of the possibility that chemicals or other harmful substances have been spilled on the pallet.
· can also be used to build a skateboarding obstacle called a manual pad.
· Some pallets have even been used as barricades during amateur paintball games.


Softwood pallets are fairly easy to take apart such that the wood is excellent once the nails are removed for use as kindling for outdoor fires.


Hard wood from pallets can be reused for making outdoor items such as small animal cages as the wood from pallets is fairly weather resistant and generally very durable especially with a light coat of outdoor wood paint or stain. Hard wood from a pallet can be used for creating a short fence for keeping in small animals. Pallet wood has been recycled for use as furniture wood by at least one company. Pallet wood can be used to create fences that will last longer if painted with an outdoor stain. Pallets require being taken apart for the wood to be reused. Using a pry bar can make it easier to take apart a pallet but it still requires effort because they are well constructed. Pallet hard woods will require work equipment designed for harder woods to work with it. With sanding, staining and/or painting pallet wood can be part of a beautifully recycled wood project.

Pictures and Videos of Pallets.

Pallet Rack

Pallet racks are the most popular type of storage system used for warehouse storage. Warehouse pallet racks can be designed for pallets, boxes, cartons, furniture, carpet, records archives, crates, bulk storage, and almost any other type of raw goods and finished products.
Pallet racks are one of the best storage solutions for the distribution and manufacturing industry.

1. Pushback Pallet Rack Pallet Flow Rack

Ideal for First In First Out (FIFO) system.

Pallet flow rack is a storage system where pallets are fed from one side, and retrieved from the other. This system uses a combination of rails and wheels. The rails are built on a slight incline, higher on the side that is fed, so that the pallets move forward when they are loaded into the system.All the pallets placed on a particular level must contain the same SKU and are managed using the First In First Out (FIFO) system.

2. Selective Pallet Rack Drive-In Pallet Rack

50% more density than Selective Pallet Rack.

Drive-in pallet rack are designed to maximize your storage density, up to 50% or more than selective rack. Drive-in rack are used in the food and beverage industry, and any other industry where there are large quantities of the same product. For dual pallet systems, Twinlode drive-in pallet rack increase density and decreases labor handling costs 50% by moving two loads at a time.

3. Selective Pallet Rack

There are 4 basic types of pallet rack storage in warehouse applicationsSelective pallet rack is the most common type of pallet rack system. Each pallet position has direct access from the pick aisle. For standard pallets, the most common size is 8 and 12 feet wide to store 2 or 3 pallets side by side. The most common depth is 42" or 44", but many other applications are better suited using 36" or 48" deep.

More pictures of pallets

Types of pallet platforms

Videos:

Reflection on ALB - Ju Huan 0701532D

The trip to ALB was indeed a constructive one. Firstly, we were warmly welcomed by the operators and in-charge of the ABL and the presentation by the operator helped us understand better of their practices and operations of the Logistics Base.

As we had the fundamental knowledge through the online lectures, we could clearly identify the different characteristics of the equipments and facilities when the operators introduced us.

With the in-depth explanations and demonstrations by the operators and some of our course mates, it made the trip even more memorable and noteworthy. Especially the Mobile Racking Systems and the Vertical Carousel Systems, where Karen and Zen were “demonstrating’’ the safety aspects of both equipments, which is the operations will stop when the sensor identify an error or when people accidentally stepped in. We also identify that Mobile Racking Systems commonly store homogeneous products and the Vertical Carousel Systems will have a humidity control, it usually stores small items and have up to 74 layers.

The pallet ASRS has 6 cranes and it’s stores up to 3000 pallets. It is estimated to be 18 storey high and the guided vehicle would place the stocks into locations.

The Very Narrow Aisles(VNA) is guided and automatic, there is a wire-guided system where there is a thread for VNA to follow. VNA provides a safety environment as well, as there is a 3m spacing between.

Bin ASRS has also help to improve the operations where time taken is shorter. We were told that the enlistees had to collect item at the supply base in the past, and today, the pre-packed item will be delivered to enlistees at units.

We also recognized that ALB has a through flow layout. It’s an disappointment to know that the laser guided vehicle at the inbound area is not in use when we visit, but as the operator noted that since there is a high throughput level, the LGV is a good form of transportation as it will takes and puts goods automatically.

There are up to 5 storage systems installed in ABL, mainly Pallet ASRS, Bin ASRS, Very Narrow Aisle (VNA), Mobile Racking Systems, Vertical Carousel Systems.

Reflection on ALB - Hui Hiang

We went Army Logistics Base (ALB) on 28 Nov 08

Before we proceed to see how the warehouse is been operated, we were given a briefing of the introduction such as “Material Management Services”, “Receipt Services”, “Storage Services”, “Storage”, and “Other Distribution Channels”.

From all of the introductions, my most deep impression is the of “Other Distribution Channels” it covers:

• Over Counter Issue (Urgent items & controlled equip)
• E-mart Outlets (6 fixed & 18 flexi)
• Internet (to place order)
• Overseas Shipment (pick, pack & send)
• Enlistees Equipping (requirement of the recruitment for soldiers are kept e.g: size of shoes)
• Mission Support (e.g: send the medical to the Sichuan, Earthquake)

We have the chance to view the stuffs of the soldiers carrying in the PAST & PRESENT.

Past	Present
‘KungFu’ Shoes	Brooks/New Balance
Ali BaBa Bag	New Duffel Bag
Skeleton Battle Order (SBO)	Load Bearing Vest (LBV)

In the past, the enlistees collected the items at Supply Base. Today, re-packed items deliver to enlistees at units (3 days before enlistment day).

We also see the different storage systems that installed at ALB such as Pallet ASRS, Very Narrow Aisle (VNA), Mobile Racking, Vertical Carousel System & Bin ASRS.
We experience to see how the Mobile Racking is been function, its safety has proven as 1 of our students entered while the rack is opening and it stops immediately.

Reflection on ALB - Saihah Raffei

Army Logistics Base. Having been there once, I feel like going there again someday. For the first time in my life, I saw the Vertical Carousel system which left a deep impression on me. I asked myself "Why do such fascinating technology ever exist?". To save space and minimise movement, that's why. It is automatic and brings the specific items to the picker when the picker scan a barcode. There is 74 layers in the conveyor. Vertical carousel is used for items that need humidity control to prevent deterioration. It is also used to store only small items such as medical supplies.

That is only one example of a storage system used by ALB. Other systems that were used in the warehouse are Pallet ASRS,Mobile Racking System, VNA and Bin ASRS. The bin ASRS (29000 bins) is 9m in height and 13m in length. There are 5 cranes used to carry the bins up the rack. Eaach crane can carry 16 bins. In total, the cranes can carry 300bins in one day.I saw the powered mobile racking system at the first level of the ALB.

The ALB is 30m in height on each level. There are 14 loading bays to despatch the items. The delivery load size per day that ALB has to handle is 200m(cube). The type of warehousing floor layout used is Throughflow.

Reflection on ALB - Nordiana Binte Eusop

The Educational field trip to Army Logistics Base is an eye opening for me. I can view the real life warehouse processes and distribution industry practices. From the trip I am able to understand the different material handling equipment and storage. The Army Logistics Base has a “Through” flow where the incoming and outgoing are at the opposite ends of the warehouse. The height of the ALB building is estimated 18th floor. The different types of storage systems that installed at ALB are Pallet AS/RS, VNA (very narrow aisle), Bin AS/RS, powered mobile racking system and vertical carousel system. I was interested in powered mobile racking system because it has good space utilization. The pallet can be adjustable back-to-back using electrically powered base frame, which move along rails set into the floor and safety mechanism are fitted to prevent obstruction. It is meant for slow moving product and homogenous product. As for vertical carousel system, it can be seen on 3rd floor. It has 74 layers in the conveyor and had a full proof system. It is for small item and it has a humidity control such as medical supply. For the vertical carousel, emergency maintenance is provided in case of urgent situation. The laser-guided vehicle can be seen at inbound or receipt area. It is for high throughput level where goods come rapidly. That is my reflection for the field trip to ALB.