Creform Corporation has designed a new stair-stepped flow rack with Placon conveyor design for an automated storage and retrieval systems manufacturer.

The manufacturer needed to create a working cell of flow racks to allow part picking by a robotic arm to speed up the parts handling operation and efficiency.

The flow rack features six levels for product presentation in a stair stepped setup and for picking operations.  Each level has six lanes utilizing Creform’s wide Placon conveyor for product flow. Lane dividers are located on each side of the lane to allow the robot to easily identify each part location.

Each of the rack’s levels can be repositioned and with the stair-stepped design and can be raised or lowered without changing the length of the conveyor. This greatly simplifies adjustment. Position changes require only a simple hex wrench.    

Placon rollers work especially well with totes that have soft bottoms or open cell designs. The 3″wide Placon rollers provide the extra support necessary to handle flow rack challenges and are supported by a wide selection of load and stop mounts.

They are suitable for low friction for shallow flow angles. They are available in 1-5/8″ and ¾” diameters as well as various pitch centers to accommodate many applications. Stainless steel covered rollers are available where extra roller wear ability is necessary.

Creform stair-stepped flow rack with Placon conveyor working with a robotic arm delivery. Photo courtesy of Hy-Tek Intralogistics.

The dimensions of the flow rack pictured are 60″ T x 112″ D x 39.5″ W and is designed to hold up to 750 pounds. It features six swivel casters for structure mobility. It is built with red plastic-coated steel pipe and black plated metal joints per customer’s aesthetic preference and can be configured for ESD(anti-static) applications. 

As with all Creform flow racks, higher capacity, sizes and configurations are possible. A wide variety of pipe colors are available, and accessories can include information sheet holders, label holders, tool storage, hooks to hang tools and other supplies.

Creform flow racks are suitable for warehouse or manufacturing plant use and can be built on wheels rather than feet. They are available as a kit or an assembled structure or in the component form for a complete DIY solution.

The Creform system is used to create an array of material handling and efficiency enhancing devices and is a proven component in continuous improvement and lean manufacturing programs. The company partners with customers in developing and implementing these programs.