Gravity shelves are a derivative of the beam shelf, with a similar structure but featuring roller tracks installed on the beams, inclined at 3-5°. Pallet goods are transported to the loading entrance of the shelf using forklifts, and utilizing their own weight, the pallets automatically glide from the loading entrance to the picking exit at the other end.

Gravity Shelving - Shelf Features

Gravity flow racks offer high throughput, allowing for simultaneous storage and retrieval, thereby enhancing the speed of goods flow.

2. Goods retrieval strictly adheres to the principle of "first in, first out," based on the storage time sequence.强制性实施先进先出，storage area requires only two channels: one for incoming and one for outgoing. The incoming and outgoing areas are strictly separated to avoid unnecessary safety hazards from cross-operations.

3. Ideal for storage operations with pallet-based carriers, ensuring neat stacking of goods, providing an excellent solution for storing heavy and large items.

4. Gravity-based shelving is highly eco-friendly, utilizing a completely non-powered form with zero energy consumption, low noise levels, and safety reliability, capable of operating at full capacity.

Gravity Flow Racking - Working Principle

Each compartment of a gravity shelf is a storage slide with a certain slope. Goods units loaded onto the slide by the warehouse crane can move automatically from the intake end to the discharge end under their own weight, stopping at the discharge end of the slide or upon encountering an existing goods unit. After the goods unit at the discharge end is removed by the discharge crane, the subsequent units behind it move one compartment towards the discharge end under gravity. To reduce friction between the boxes and the shelves, rollers or wheels are installed on the storage slide.

Gravity Shelving - Application Range

Gravity flow racks are ideal for FIFO (first in, first out) storage of large quantities of similar items, offering high space utilization. They are particularly suitable for goods with a certain shelf life that are not suitable for long-term accumulation.

Gravity Flow Racks - Precautions

The total depth of the shelves (i.e., the track length) should not be excessive, as this would result in large unusable "dead corners" at the top and bottom, affecting space utilization. Additionally, a excessively long ramp would reduce the controllability of the descent, with a greater force of gravity, leading to potential blockages and overturning of the palletized goods. To ensure smooth descent, if the ramp is long, a damping device should be installed in the middle. To prevent overturning of the goods at the bottom due to excessive impact force, a cushioning device and a picking separation device should be placed at the lower end of the ramp. Consequently, the design, manufacturing, and installation are more challenging, and the cost is higher. Such shelves should not be too tall, generally no more than 6 meters, and the weight of a single pallet should be no more than 1000KG, otherwise, their reliability and operability may decrease.