IT435 Final - Pallets and Palletizing

Standard pallet weight

35-40 lbs

Standard pallet can hold up to...

4,600 lbs

Wood packaging material must be made of ____ wood.

debarked

Plastic pallets base material...

thermoplastic resin

Composite pallets base material...

thermosetting resin

Types of Pallet Patterns (4)

(looking down on the pallet) 1. Unit Block - not interlocked, row of 3 or more boxes can be pushed left or right without affecting adjacent rows 2. Multi-Block - interlocked in one direction but not in the other 3. Pinwheel 4. Irregular - lots of software on the market to help determine the best configuration

Narrow Aisle Racking

-Selective racking with narrower aisles -beneficial for warehouses that operate with man-down or man-up lift trucks -maximizes amount of space in the warehouse -make the most of vertical space

Interlocking

-Used to minimize or prevent load shift/increase stability -Movement of rows or columns prevented by adjacent row or column -Not always the answer; may be better to column stack and band or stretch wrap

Block Pallets

-aka 4-way pallets -utilizes both parallel and perpendicular stringers -9 blocks form the base -typically stronger than stronger pallets

Stringer Pallets

-aka Runner pallets -use a frame of 3 or more parallel pieces of timber to form the base

Entry Type (2)

-defines the pallet design by indicating how the pallet is entered by a forklift 1. 2-way Entry Type - can be entered by two ends (Stringer) 2. 4-way Entry Type - can be entered by all four ends (Block)

Drive-In Racking

-designed for maximum use of floor space -similar in principle to block stacking except that the product is not stored on top of the bottom pallet but the racking holds the pallet above the pallet below -designed in lanes—the depth of the lane and how many pallets high is determined by product

Grade #1A or Premium

-hardwood construction -very clean if not new

Grade A or 1

-hardwood/softwood mix -5 bottom boards -repaired with metal plates (no stringer inserts)

Grade B or 2

-hardwood/softwood mix -repaired with stringer inserts

Over and Under-hang...

-leave the corners or pallet and product unprotected from damage -the pallet is better utilized and stabilized with minimal over and under-hang

Block pallets are stronger than Stringer pallets b/c...

-more material is used -likely to weight more -they are taller, allowing more clearance for a fork lift (but consumes more stacking space) -less prone to damage due to strength

Selective Pallet Racking

-most commonly used racking systems in warehousing -generally most cost effective racking system -generally easily installed -allows direct access to all products

Double Deep Racking

-similar in style to Selective racking -2 rows of Selective racking, one row behind the other -allows pallets to be stored 2 deep -designed in such a way to still be accessible from the aisles

Pallet Style (2)

-the basic construction of the pallet 1. Single Face - only one deck 2. Double Face Non-Reversible - a top and bottom face that can't be reversed

Grade C or 3

-very poor conditions

Pallets can also be stabilized with: (3)

1. Adhesive 2. Stretch Wrap 3. Banding

Composite pallets disadvantages... (2)

1. Cannot be remanufactured 2. Can be more brittle on impact

Plastic pallet advantages... (2)

1. Easily reground/melted for remanufacturing 2. Very impact resistant

Composite pallets key characteristics... (2)

1. Final product is non-reformable 2. Final product does not melt at elevated temperatures

Plastic pallets key characteristics... (2)

1. Final product is reformable 2. Final product can melt at elevated temperatures

Wood Pallet Grades (4)

1. Grade #1A or Premium 2. Grade A or 1 3. Grade B or 2 4. Grade C or 3

Benefits of Reusable Plastic and Composite Pallets (3)

1. Lightweight 2. Clean 3. Strong

Composite pallets advantages... (7)

1. Material price very stable 2. Bets strength to weight ration 3. Internally reinforced by composite fibers for strength 4. Specialized material means no black market 5. Utilized fire retardants which are non-problematic 6. Lower cost when manufactured using compression molding 7. Works better in hot cold environments

Plastic pallet disadvantages... (6)

1. Material prices tied to volatile price of petroleum 2. Often require reinforcements for logistics uses (ex. racking) 3. Doesn't perform well in hot or cold environments 4. Black market for material means more potential theft 5. Requires more expensive injection molding equipment 6. To meet fire safety standards requires fire retardants which are known carcinogens

Advantages of Returnable pallets (4)

1. Reduction in costs by focusing on the cost per use of the returnable pallet. 2. Disposal of the pallet is the responsibility or the pallet rental company thus savings in disposal 3. The system ensures that the pallets are properly maintained 4. The system allows managers and executives to focus on their core business

4 Types of Racking Systems

1. Selective 2. Double Deep 3. Narrow Aisle 4. Drive-In

Types of Pallets (2)

1. Stringer (aka Runner) 2. Block (aka 4-way)

The type of pallet used depends on many factors: (4)

1. cost 2. shipping and storage space 3. material/product being palletized 4. reuse -"returnable" -"shipping"

Pallets may be made of... (4)

1. wood (90% demand) 2. plastic 3. metal 4. corrugated kraft board

Standard pallet size

48" x 40" to accommodate rail car and truck

ISO governs the size of wooden shipping pallets and there are __ globally accepted sizes.

6

Pallet

A raised platform upon which goods are placed for transport

Pallet Configuration is...

Dictated by how the pallet is handled in the distribution system. Must allow for a stabilized load.

What prevents insects and fungi from being transported around the world on a pallet?

Heat Treated or Fumigated pallets

Pallets are stamped with a...

IPPC logo (Int'l Plant Protection Convention), which certifies that is was heat-treated or fumigated

ISO

International Organization for Standardization

Composite pallets method of manufacture...

Material is heated and cured concurrently on the mould to shape

Plastic pallets method of manufacture...

Material is liquefied with heat, mould cavity filled, then material cooled to shape.

What causes the load to shift?

Shock or vibrations

"Shipping" pallets

limited used pallets that are intended for a single unit load

"Returnable" pallets

multiple use pallets intended for repeat uses

Goal of racking pallets is...

to increase storage density, which lowers storage costs