What Is a Carton Flow Rack? How Does It Work?

The system relies purely on gravity, no motor or electric power required.

1. Rear replenishment side Workers load full cartons from the back/rear of the rack onto the inclined roller tracks.
2. Gravity sliding forward Supported by roller tracks with a small gradient (3‑5° slope), cartons automatically roll and slide down toward the front picking face by gravity.
3. Front picking side Operators pick cartons at the front side. Once the front carton is removed, the cartons behind it automatically slide forward to fill the empty position.
4. Realize FIFO Goods loaded earliest always arrive at the picking position first. New stock stays at the rear. This rotation ensures older stock gets shipped first, critical for goods with expiry dates (food, pharmacy, fresh goods).

Two‑side working logic summary

• Rear side: Stock replenishment
• Front side: Order picking

Q1: What items can be stored on carton flow rack?

A: It is designed for cartons, cardboard boxes and plastic totes. It works best for high‑turnover SKUs for split‑case picking. It is widely used in e‑commerce, food, pharmacy, cold‑storage and parts‑feeding workshops. Heavy pallets are not suitable; choose pallet flow rack for pallet‑level storage.

Q2: Can carton flow rack be installed inside cold & freezer warehouses?

A: Yes. We provide low‑temperature resistant roller tracks specially for cold‑room environment. Special grease is used for rollers to keep smooth operation under minus‑degree conditions.

Q3: Can I retrofit carton flow modules onto my existing pallet racking?

A: In most cases yes. Carton flow tracks are modular accessories compatible with standard pallet rack frames and beams. Send us your current rack dimension and box specification, we can offer retrofitting solution.

Q4: What are main failure points I need to maintain?

A: Carton flow rack is gravity‑driven with very low maintenance. Regularly check rollers for debris, damaged wheels and end‑stops. Keep track surface clean, remove dust and packaging scraps to guarantee smooth sliding of cartons.