Boost the Performance of your Automation with Plastic Pallets
Posted by Garrett M. Clark on Mar 30th 2022
Using plastic pallets and slave boards in an automated material handling system provides many benefits over conventional wood pallets.
Automated systems are typically made up of: conveyors, lifts, transfers, fork trucks, ASRS (Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems), robotics, AGV’s and shuttle storage systems.
The general benefit is that the plastic pallets will result in less downtime (system stoppage) which results in better overall system throughput and filling more orders daily.
Plastic pallets have tighter dimensional tolerances and more repeatability than wood pallets. Typically, +- ¼”
Benefits: The pallets don’t get stuck or jammed in the various types of automation equipment.
Plastic pallets use strong plastic welds to hold the components together rather than nails and screws.
Benefits: The pallets don’t get stuck or jammed in the various types of automation equipment.
With internal reinforcement (fiberglass or aluminum reinforcements), the pallet is “Rackable” and will have minimal deflection. Less than 1/2”.
Benefits: With minimal deflection of the pallet, transitions between conveyors are more reliable and shuttles can pass underneath the pallets without running into the pallet bottom board.
Plastic pallets are designed for washdown applications (FDA & USDA compliant).
Benefits: The washdown capability is great if there is a product spill or a liquid “leaker”.
Plastic pallets can use RFID tags or IoT tags to track the specific pallet location.
Benefits: This allows much greater inventory control and accuracy. You save time searching by knowing exactly where a particular product is located.
Plastic pallets can easily have features put in to the design: hand holes, drainage holes, textured solid top boards, etc.
Benefits: These features can result in easier manual handling of the pallet, meeting local fire codes, and protecting the product stacked on the pallet.
Plastic pallets can use different colors for the legs or top board to differentiate the pallet.
Benefits: Color makes it easy for operators to know where in the facility the pallets belong.
Generally, HDPE plastic pallets can withstand a lot more abuse by manual fork trucks than a wood pallet.
Benefits: This means that the useful life of the plastic pallet can be up to five (5) times longer than a wood pallet.
The next time you are considering putting pallets into your automated material handling system, please consider the long-term benefits and cost savings of using plastic pallets.
About the Author Artistic Composite Pallets
Garrett M. Clark, MBA
Garrett is an original Founder and Co-Owner of Artistic Composite Pallets. Over the last decade, Garrett has developed cutting edge technology for the automation and logistics space. His passion for entrepreneurship and providing clients with innovative solutions fuels his drive to push the industry further.