MOBILE FLOW RACKS
Creform’s flexible flow racks are easily customized to efficiently and ergonomically present parts to a workstation, cell, warehouse or other operation.
Posted: April 30, 2010
Mobile flow racks with new Placon conveyors from Creform Corporation (Greer, SC) can enhance the efficiency, flexibility and ergonomics of parts presentation in a manufacturing workstation or cell as well as warehouse order picking and kitting operations. These versatile flow racks feature two, three-lane levels for product presentation in the ergonomic "strike zone" with physical separators on both sides so that totes and boxes are contained and separated for smooth lane flow.
Because these new racks are created using the Creform System of plastic coated steel pipes and joints, they are easily customized to economically meet material handling needs. Each of the flow rack's levels can be repositioned, or the entire mobile flow rack customized, with only simple tools. The unit shown has a 36 in x 60 in footprint with a capacity of 825 lb, but higher capacities, different cart sizes and configurations are possible.
New Placon conveyors provide stability and smooth material handling flow thanks to their superior construction and wide plastic wheels, which come in a variety of sizes to accommodate the broadest range of applications. Supported by a wide selection of basic and stop mounts, these conveyors are especially effective with difficult material handling challenges, such as totes with soft bottoms or open cell designs, because their 3-in wide rollers provide the extra support necessary to handle these flow rack challenges and ensure smooth product or box transfer.
Rollers are available in 1-5/8 in and 3/4 in diameters as well as various pitch centers to accommodate many applications. ESD (anti-static) wheels are also available. Similarly, 41 mm wheels can be obtained in straight roller (PWA) type or taper roller (PWB) types, and wheels, supports and axle components are all modular, facilitating easy assembling and disassembling, simplifying replacement, cleaning and recycling. Plastic roller material is reusable, recyclable and environmentally friendly. The system also employs chromium-free environmentally-friendly metal components, and because the metal parts do not come in contact with each other, the conveyors produce no metal dust and make very little noise. Enhancing their versatility even further is the fact that mobile flow racks can be outfitted with a hitch for towing or for use with a low-profile BST tugger unit as part of an automated guided vehicle (AGV) system.
One BST AGV can mobilize an entire fleet of carts. Innovative AGVs are cost effective, rapidly deployed and non-interruptive with no need to dig a trench in the floor. That's because the vehicles require only an adhesive-backed magnetic tape on the floor to designate their guidepath. The tape is read by a magnetic induction sensor, and the AGV's route can be easily modified if needs change. Structural components are used to create an array of material handling devices, including push and trailer carts, flow racks, roller conveyors, hinged shelf carts, tilting racks, workstations, and rolling tool cribs.
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