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Are forklifts or stackers used in your warehouse? How should enterprises choose the right warehouse racking system?
Published Time:
Dec 07,2021
Generally, companies of a certain scale will need to equip corresponding transfer equipment when introducing shelves. However, the operating environment and use of warehousing vary, so the choice between forklifts and stacker cranes cannot be arbitrary.
Warehouse racking is one of the main pieces of equipment used for storing goods in warehouses, but racking alone is insufficient for storing and retrieving goods; other related equipment is needed to complete the entire process of bulk goods storage and retrieval. Forklifts and stacker cranes are the main commonly used handling equipment. Generally, enterprises of a certain scale will equip corresponding transfer equipment when introducing racking. However, the operating environment and purposes of warehouses vary, so the choice between forklifts and stacker cranes cannot be arbitrary.
The selection of equipment primarily requires understanding its attributes and application scale.
What is a stacker crane? A stacker crane is a hoisting device specifically used for storing and retrieving goods in warehouses. In automated high-bay warehouse systems, stacker cranes are indispensable mechanical equipment. Simply put, a stacker crane is a goods handling device. Stacker cranes and racks are freely assembled and move according to computer instructions. Through the lifting system, they can store and retrieve goods very quickly, thereby improving the efficiency of automated high-bay warehouses. Stacker cranes are a derivative of automated high-bay warehouses, and there are many types of stacker cranes, such as suspended type, ground-supported type, etc. There are some differences between different cranes, but the ultimate goal of all stacker cranes is to achieve the function of goods storage.
Its primary function is to operate back and forth in the aisles of an intelligent high-bay warehouse, storing goods located at the aisle entrance into storage locations or retrieving goods from storage locations and transporting them to the aisle entrance. This is a relatively fixed-path operating device. Obviously, this storage and retrieval equipment is relatively advanced warehousing equipment. To fully utilize its effectiveness, standardized layout of racking, etc., and coordination of various control systems are required.
Forklifts, racking, and pallets are known as the "warehouse three brothers," which shows the importance of forklifts in warehouse systems. China began manufacturing forklifts in the early 1950s. With the rapid development of the Chinese economy, material handling in most enterprises has moved away from primitive manual handling and has been replaced by mechanized handling, mainly using forklifts. Therefore, for a considerable period of time in the past, the demand for the Chinese forklift market has grown at a double-digit rate annually.
Forklifts are designed for handling goods and short-distance transportation. The main lifting device is the fork, and various types of attachments can be equipped. Forklifts are most suitable for operation on smooth, hard surfaces (asphalt, cement, etc.). They are used in warehouses, railway stations, docks, construction sites, etc., for loading, unloading, or stacking operations, reducing the workload of personnel and improving loading and unloading efficiency.
Forklifts are divided into two categories according to their product structure: one is mechanical transmission forklifts, including counterbalanced forklifts with gasoline engines and counterbalanced forklifts with diesel engines; the other is hydraulic transmission forklifts, which refer to converting engine work into hydraulic energy through a torque converter. Forklifts are divided into three types according to their power mechanism: diesel engine forklifts, gasoline engine forklifts, and liquefied petroleum gas engine forklifts.
From the brief introduction of stacker cranes and forklifts above, their respective advantages and characteristics can be seen. Stacker cranes have a high degree of automation and, in conjunction with WMS and other systems, are highly efficient in goods handling. However, they require the storage locations and aisles of the high-bay racking to be compatible with the stacker crane to ensure efficient goods storage.
Compared with stacker cranes, forklifts are more flexible. They move on wheels, reaching each storage area of the racking to store and retrieve goods. As long as the appropriate width is designed, most goods racking storage and retrieval work can be handled. However, forklifts require human operation, and forklift operators must undergo formal training. In terms of safety, stacker cranes have an advantage.
Attachment: Conditions required to operate a forklift:
1. Applicants for the special equipment operator's certificate for forklift operation must be over 18 years of age;
2. Be in good health and meet the special physical requirements for the type of forklift operation applied for;
3. Have an educational level suitable for the type of forklift operation applied for;
4. Have work experience suitable for the type of forklift operation applied for;
5. Possess the corresponding safety technical knowledge and skills for forklift operation;
6. Meet other requirements stipulated in the safety technical specifications for forklift operators.
In terms of price, stacker cranes are high-end, advanced, automated storage equipment, and their manufacturing and procurement costs are higher than those of forklifts. However, with the development of enterprise warehousing systems, stacker cranes are indispensable equipment in future warehousing systems. If the enterprise has sufficient budget, the use of stacker cranes can be considered. After all, current stacker cranes are system-controlled and have unparalleled advantages in safety, energy saving, and efficiency compared to forklifts. Currently, for small and medium-sized enterprises, the combination of forklifts and stacker cranes is the ideal choice.
If the above content has not fundamentally solved your doubts, the best way is to consult relevant enterprises, such as manufacturers of intelligent high-bay warehouses. Because they frequently undertake various projects, they are certainly more familiar with this aspect of configuration. Nobot Intelligent Equipment (Shandong) Co., Ltd. provides you with high-quality warehousing systems. Welcome customers to inquire. Telephone: 86-635-2932233 4008233356 Website: www.nobot.cc Official WeChat: nobot-6881. Nobot's self-developed fully automatic stacker crane is equipped with an intelligent system, load protection system, dual-closed-loop control system, etc., to achieve safer, more efficient, and precise positioning operations, ensuring the safety of goods throughout the warehousing process and facilitating overall system optimization.
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