Pallet is an auxiliary tool that helps to significantly simplify the processing and transportation of goods of the same shape and size. Its use has significantly saved time and labor costs during loading and unloading. It is impossible to achieve similar efficiency and speed when placing individual large packages by hand.
Transport unit
In warehouse technology, a pallet is an independent transport unit, the main purpose of which is transportation, packaging, warehousing and storage of products. This is a packaging tool, which is a multi-turn transport container with a rigid platform and standardized dimensions, sufficient for certain enlarged cargo units.
The basis of the designs we are considering are rectangular flat supports or pallets. Pallets are made with special recesses provided under the grips of a forklift or a fork, as well as with tabs for securing the slings (in the case of moving goods in suspension). Goods placed on pallets are fastened to it with fixing tapes or wrapped with heat-shrink and stretch films.
Classification and features
Pallets are divided into two- and four-way. Their designs, respectively, allow for the introduction of a fly or a fork from two or four opposite sides. The latter provide a comprehensive girth and allow loading and unloading operations without the risk of damage to the cargo during ascent or descent.
Depending on the number of sites for product placement, pallets can be one- or two-floor. The former allow you to place the load only on one side of the pallet, the latter on two floors, which makes it possible to take additional goods.
According to the terms of use, pallets can be multi-turn, designed for long-term operation, and disposable, intended only for delivery of goods in one direction with their subsequent disposal.
Material selection
The choice of material for pallets depends on the product range and its weight characteristics. Most often used wooden pallets. They are easy to repair, environmentally friendly and fairly cheap. Plastic pallets are no less common. They are distinguished by durability, low weight, easy care.
High strength, long service life are typical for metal pallets. But due to the high weight, their use is quite limited.
The pros of each of these options combine pallets made of combined materials. Recently, recycled materials have also been used for their production.
Dimensions
When sending manufactured goods abroad, certified Finnish and European pallets are more often used, manufactured in accordance with the standards adopted in European countries and having the corresponding brand mark, burned on the right supporting legs of each means. This is a EUR-pallet with a size of 800 × 1200 × 145 mm, a EUR-box with a size of 800x1200x800 mm and a FIN-pallet with a size of 1000x1200x145 mm. The pallets also have a marking indicating the manufacturer and digital information. Cargo pallets have the same Finnish design and are identical in size. As of condition, these aids are divided into 3 grades: second, first and highest.
For work in the domestic market, the choice of grade and type of pallet depends entirely on the manufacturer.
The dimensions of disposable pallets are not regulated.
Efficient Transportation Technology
Pallet is a special type of transport packaging. Together with containers, they are referred to as container equipment. They are indispensable for the delivery of products from warehouses or manufacturers directly to wholesale or retail outlets. At the same time, pallets create considerable conveniences not only when transporting goods, but also during their sale. They often have to play the role of commercial equipment.
Special pallets are used to transport non-standard, valuable, fragile goods. To do this, their standard types with the help of sets of special parts are supplemented with drawers, racks, frames, shelves, lattice walls, corner profiles. They are often used in rail freight.
Such a special pallet is a huge pallet corresponding to the size of the loading platform and equipped with fasteners (fittings) for the cargo. An example is flatts, bolsters, tilts. Depending on the purpose, they can have frame superstructures, end walls, full or folding walls, the height of which reaches half the container of a standard size.
Strict requirements are imposed on the use of pallets. The most careful selection of pallets takes place when organizing the international transport of dangerous goods.