Horizontal carousels (HCs) are widely used in small to medium warehouses because of their lower cost and comparable efficiency as compared to vertical storage and retrieval systems. Now they come in many varieties for industrial usage, but we will be taking a look at the three most common types of horizontal carousel and the differences between them.
Bottom Drive Horizontal Carousel
Specifications: They are used for heavy loads which need to be frequently stored/retrieved. They can be fitted with standardized bins or customized bins depending on the configuration of the machine.
Advantages: They distribute load uniformly over a large floor area. High load capacity, with modular design for easy installation and relocation.
Disadvantages: More expensive than other HCs, quite bulky.
Top Drive Horizontal Carousel
Specifications: Designed for light loads, they are available in single or double yoke configurations. The drive belt is located at the top of the system, and use multiple bins of different sizes.
Advantages: Modular design means easy to install and relocate. Lightweight loads mean less noise when operating. Many models come with adjustable guide rails to raise the height of bottom shelves when needed. Cheapest of the three types of HCs.
Disadvantages: Cannot take in heavy loads. Cannot be used for heavy-duty operations.
Twin Bin Horizontal Carousels
Specifications: They sit between the top drive and bottom drive when it comes to loading capacity handled. Here, twin bins are attached with each other, allowing storage of items of same types together for faster retrieval.
Advantages: Can carry more load than top drive HCs. Consists of a wide supporting frame to evenly distribute all the load that the system holds. Increased accuracy over other HCs.
Disadvantages: Cannot be used for heavy-duty operations, more complicated systems make it slightly difficult to maintain.
