A Guide To Vertical Carousel Shelves [Capabilities + Alternatives]
Vertical carousel shelves are storage solutions that are designed to maximize space within a specific footprint. This storage solution is composed of carriers mounted on a fixed, vertically rotating track, enclosed within a metal framework.
If you’re looking for a storage solution that is ideal for your warehouse, our guide has you covered.
We’ll share all you need to know about vertical carousel shelves and introduce you to their automated counterpart as an investment that’s also worth considering — vertical lift modules.
What Are Vertical Carousel Shelves?
Vertical carousel shelves, also known as shelving carousels or vertical carousel storage systems, are computer-controlled storage solutions that utilize vertical space.
This type of storage solution is made of carriers set on a vertical, closed-loop track within a metal casing. It delivers inventory in a vertical loop, similar to a Ferris wheel.
Capabilities of Vertical Carousel Shelves
Common features and benefits of shelving carousels include:
A Unit Depth of 5 Feet
While vertical carousel shelves are available in different sizes in terms of height and width, all models typically provide a unit depth of around 5 feet.
This depth allowance means that they are ideal for storing more compact items or small parts.
For warehouses where larger or bulkier items need to be stored, you can also implement specialized vertical carousel designs with deeper shelves, such as static shelving, to efficiently meet storage needs.
Tray Height
Vertical carousel shelves continuously move each of its bins during warehouse operations, making them not the most suitable storage solution for housing fragile items, such as glass. However, they still excel in storing a wide range of goods, such as packages.
When considering vertical carousel shelves, the height of your inventory is a key element.
A vertical carousel operates as a cohesive, closed-loop system where all carriers are interconnected, meaning the height is predetermined and fixed once installed.
Front Picking
The structural design of vertical carousel shelves ensures that at any given time, warehouse operators can view and access the inventory located in the front-facing carrier.
This innovative design provides warehouse operators with inventory visibility, reducing mispicks.
Picking Accuracy
In vertical carousel shelves, trays or bins rotate past an access window to reach the designated storage location.
Warehouse operators can easily stop the carrier at the access window to retrieve or store items by utilizing intuitive controls.
Picking Speed
When warehouse operators need an item from a vertical carousel shelf, the trays continuously rotate before they gain access to the specific tray that stores the needed SKU.
This reduces the time it takes for an operator to locate and retrieve an item.
Limited Security Features
Vertical carousel shelves rotate all carriers past the access window to get to the required storage location, as it operates on a continuous loop mechanism to bring inventory to the access point.
Some vertical carousel shelves incorporate locking mechanisms to ensure that only authorized personnel can operate the carousel or access its contents, reducing risks of mishandling or theft.
An Efficient Alternative to Vertical Carousel Shelves: Vertical Lift Modules
While carousel shelves offer the features above, they are limited in several areas, including depth, tray height, security and beyond.
For the most efficient storage solution for your warehouse, VLMs are the top choice.
Vertical lift modules (VLMs) are automated storage and retrieval systems that automatically bring items directly to your warehouse operator, based on the goods to person principle.
VLMs are more efficient than vertical carousel shelves, as they utilize state-of-the-art automation features to increase productivity, boost picking speed and accuracy and save time and labor in managing inventory.
Vertical lift modules:
Maximize Your Storage Capacity
A vertical lift module can easily accommodate items of different sizes and automatically adjust trays.
In a vertical carousel shelf, the configuration is more static, with predetermined shelving spaces that can’t adjust to the size of SKUs, resulting in a less optimized storage solution.
Offer A Safe Working Environment
A vertical lift module provides a more ergonomic solution for your warehouse operator, compared to a vertical carousel.
Vertical lift modules reduce the risk of injuries, like overexertion, by automatically delivering the stored item at an optimal height to your warehouse operator.
While vertical carousel shelves can provide a degree of ergonomic advantage by rotating items to a fixed access point, they still require your warehouse operator to reach or bend to retrieve goods that are not at an ideal height.
Provide Better Payload Storage Capacity
A vertical lift module offers stability for heavy items. Modula’s VLM can hold up to 2,200 pounds per tray — while vertical carousels struggle with load imbalances for heavy inventory.
Due to their carriers in a fixed loop, vertical carousel shelves rotate each time an SKU is added or removed, potentially leading to imbalances and operational issues.
On the other hand, vertical lift modules are built with two columns of trays — with one in the front and one in the back — making them a reliable storage solution for handling heavy loads.
Boost Inventory Security
A vertical lift module offers more security features compared to a vertical carousel.
Because vertical lift modules deliver one tray at a time, they deliver all items methodically, safely and effectively, VLMs also feature access controls, allowing only authorized personnel to access items to prevent theft.
In vertical carousel shelves, every carrier moves past the access point, exposing each item, regardless of access limitations.
Vertical Lift Modules at Modula [A Shelving Carousel Alternative]
As a leading provider of automated storage solutions and warehouse management systems, Modula delivers top-notch warehouse technology to enhance productivity and efficiency throughout your organization.
Our automated solutions include:
Modula Vertical Lift Modules
Our VLMs are designed to make the most of your existing warehouse space, utilizing available ceiling height to increase storage capacity and improve efficiency.
We offer three types of VLMs:
- Modula Lift: Ideal for storing industrial components and spare parts, the Modula Lift is versatile and available in various dimensions and sizes to suit diverse inventory needs.
- Modula Slim: Engineered for facilities with limited floor space, the Modula Slim occupies a minimal footprint of just 32.29 square feet. It is the perfect choice for maximizing storage in tight spaces.
- Modula OnePick: A completely automated option, the Modula OnePick is designed for operations looking to minimize human intervention. You can also incorporate the OnePick with your existing autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), automated guided vehicles (AGVs), AGCs, conveyor belts and rollers to speed up order fulfillment.
Modula Clean Room
Modula Clean Room is a VLM built to store your inventory in pristine, clean room conditions.
It is particularly suitable for pharmaceutical and food and beverage industries, where protecting parts from contaminants like dust and debris is essential.
This VLM complies with Class 7 and 8 requirements and meets ISO 14644 standards, serving as a key tool for warehouses prioritizing cleanliness and contamination control.
Modula Clean Room allows you to:
- Adhere to ISO 14644-1 standards
- Keep your environment free of dust and dirt
- Achieve clean room classifications from 6 to 8
- Minimize contamination risks from germs and debris
- Integrate cutting-edge technology in all Modula Lift modules
Modula Climate Control
Modula Climate Control is a VLM designed to maintain humidity and temperature in your warehouse, protecting your inventory from environmental and temperature changes.
This specialized VLM regulates air circulation, humidity and temperature in its enclosed space, providing secure storage for sensitive items, such as such as medical devices and electronic components.
Modula Climate Control is insulated with polyurethane foam panels that cover the entire unit, effectively protecting inventory. Warehouse operators can safely access any section of the unit through a unique panel with independently opening windows, ensuring convenience and ease of use.
Modula Climate Control allows you to:
- Control temperatures ranging from +2°C to +25°C (+35°F to +77°F)
- Maintain humidity levels of 5% or more
- Utilize advanced technology in all Modula Lift modules
Wrapping Up on Vertical Carousel Shelves & Vertical Lift Modules
While carousel shelves offer some benefits, such as vertical space utilization, the benefits that vertical lift modules offer are much more extensive.
VLMs boost productivity, picking speed and picking accuracy, and automatically deliver items to your warehouse operator at an ergonomic height.
In addition, they can accommodate inventory of different sizes, modify trays to ensure optimal space utilization and are equipped with advanced security features.
At Modula, we offer automated warehouse storage solutions designed to optimize warehouse space, boost efficiency and meet changing consumer demands.
If you’re not sure which solutions meet your needs, speak to our material handling specialists to find the best storage solution for your facility. We’ll perform an in-depth assessment of your warehouse so you can invest in the unit that perfectly suits your needs.
