Shuttle Racking: What Is It & What Are Its Advantages?

Controlled remotely, shuttle racking is a more efficient and safer way to manage pallet stock in warehouses. This system can help to maximise the usable space in your warehouse or distribution facility and make everyday operations much more streamlined. Let’s take a look at what shuttle racking is and its advantages.

What is Shuttle Racking?

A shuttle is a sort of cart or sled that moves stored items into pallet racking. The Shuttle runs on tracks and allows for a storage system of much higher density so that space can be utilized to its highest potential.

Shuttle racking removes the need for human operators to manoeuvre forklifts up and down aisles, reducing risk to warehouse workers, machinery, pallet racks themselves and saving time.

This type of system is best for warehouses that are frequently loading and unloading large numbers of pallets, such as cold storage, meat processing, food and beverage distribution, etc. However, it is not useful for distribution centres where there are multiple items stored in each pallet and along each lane.

How do Shuttle Racking Systems work?

Shuttle racking systems work using either a FIFO configuration (first-in, first-out) or a LIFO configuration (last-in, first-out). Which is used will depend on whether there is access from both ends of an aisle or just one end.

The shuttle racking system is operated using either a remote control, a radio signal, or WiFi.

A human operator simply transmits the order to the shuttle, which then picks up the full pallet and transports it, using integrated rails, to the next available space on the rack. Vertical rails on the end of the aisle also allow the shuttle to move up and down levels so that absolutely no space is wasted.

Advantages of Shuttle Racking

There are many advantages to shuttle racking, which include:

• Easy to use – they don’t have a large learning curve and the operator can choose their preferred inventory management technique
• Time- and money-saving
  • semi-automatic system means that it can locate inventory quickly
  • eliminates the need for forklifts moving up and down aisles
  • less manpower is needed
  • more convenient and efficient
  • loading and unloading times can be just seconds
  • less likely to waste time due to human error
• reduces risk to human operators and potential damage of equipment and inventory – you can even run the system from outside the warehouse
• allows for high-density storage
  • enables height and depth of racking to be increased (4-5 pallets deep or more)
  • aisles can be made smaller
  • ideal for smaller warehouses
• greater precision of pallet organization
• able to operate at temperatures ranging from 0˚C to +45˚C and/or -30˚C to -1˚C, i.e. temperatures that humans cannot withstand
• are often far more energy-efficient than alternatives
• flexible – they can work within irregular spaces and take a variety of load types

Disadvantages of Shuttle Racking

As with any other system, shuttle racking is not without its disadvantages:

• maintenance required – breakdowns will lead to downtime unless there is a backup system/unit in place
• shuttle racking systems have particularly high upfront costs
• operating personnel need to be specially trained both in operation and maintenance of the system
• not suitable for operations that require specific items to be picked

Even so, the advantages of shuttle racking far outweigh the disadvantages and it is the perfect way to move large amounts of stock quickly and efficiently, reducing costs and increasing productivity. They’re perfect for any warehouse that moves large loads frequently and needs to maximize efficiency to meet targets or impress clients. If you’re interested in learning more then please don’t hesitate to contact us today.

Or view our Shuttle Racking solution here.