Streamlined, Dynamic Tire Storage for Warehouse & Production
The rubber may meet the road once the automobile rolls off the assembly line, but where the rubber meets the steel is the secret that can make that assembly line more efficient. Mallard’s custom-designed steel skate wheel flow system for tires…Tire Flow… is another unique gravity flow application from the gravity flow specialists. Our rugged steel skate wheel flow rails are custom mounted on an angle to cradle tire bundles and flow them from storage to assembly or order picking in a smooth, fast, easy manner.
Tire flow supports a first-in/first-out (FIFO) inventory rotation with the capability of storing a unique SKU in each lane for 100% selectivity and simplified accurate picking. Tire flow is an ideal solution to reduce warehouse traffic and increase assembly and picking efficiencies.
Tire flow can be integrated with automated systems, a popular application in larger production operations – Standard forklifts equipped with carpet poles can load or unload the tire bundles. Pick aisle positioned cranes can also be used to retrieve the tire bundles and deliver them to assembly stations. Check out our tire flow test below.
Advantages
- Dynamic FIFO tire storage
- Bundled tires vs singles for faster throughput
- Unique SKU per lane for 100% selectivity
- Ideal for assembly/production staging
- Applications
- Auto assembly plants
- Tire manufacturing
- Tire distribution
Specifications
- 2-rail, angle mounted steel skate wheel
- Load/unload with standard forklift with carpet pole attachment
- Optional unload with automated crane system
- Custom mounting allows front beam to act as ramp stop to secure tires in lane
- Rails are custom mounted to accommodate variety of tire sizes
Steel Proves Flexible in Auto Plant Tire Flow Test
Tire staging just got faster and more efficient for a major auto manufacturer, thanks to Mallard's new tire flow storage. Custom mounted steel skate wheel rails are angled to cradle tires and provide a smooth, consistent, fast flow from processing or storage areas to pick or assembly stations. Watch the test:
Test Parameters:
- Steel Skate Wheel 1.9” diameter
- 4 and 5-piece tire bundles
- 27’ long flow lane
- ¾” per foot incline
- 70 – 100 lbs. per bundle
Tires bundled into groups provide stability for the flow lane and hasten the loading and unloading vs single tires. Rails are recessed slightly so that the front beam acts as a ramp stop which secures the tires in the lane until removed.
Tires are loaded using a standard forklift with a carpet pole attachment and unloaded using a crane which will deliver the bundles to their assembly stations. Both methods should work seamlessly for this tire flow application.