"The delivery of goods and materials to
almost every typical factory or warehouse
usually arrive as unit loads on a type of
material handling device called pallets.
These unit load bases are one of the most
efficient and effective ways to handle large
quantities of material and streamline flow.
Aside from handling larger loads to sharply
reduce loading and unloading times, pallets
also serve as a platform base for stacking
individual items.
Conventionally, every pallet contains a top
deck and a bottom deck. Stringers (or
runners) separate the two decks and provide
an opening for the entry of forks from the
lift truck. The dimensions of a pallet are
measured in inches and are indicated first
by stating the length, and then the width.
The length is measured in the direction
perpendicular to the direction in which the
top boards are laid, while the width is
measured in the direction in which the top
boards run.
Two-way pallets permit the entry of forks
from two sides and in opposite directions,
while four-way pallets allow the forks to
enter from all four sides. A single-faced
pallet contains only one surface (which is
the top deck), while a double-faced pallet
is one with both the top and bottom decks.
For over a long period of time, pallets were
purchased and used on the assumption that
all pallets were created equal in terms of
quality. However, costly product damage and
lost productivity due to pallet failures
have prompted materials handling engineers
and managers to search for such causes. As a
result, tools such as computer-aided design
and other alternative materials aside from
wood are being used in order to obtain the
most cost-effective pallet with the best
possible quality and performance."
Dr. J.M.A. Tanchoco, Professor of Industrial
Engineering, AGVS (Automated Guided Vehicle
Systems) Research Group of Purdue University |
