Silo design
Attractive and compact alternative
The range of alternative designs of shelving systems is extremely varied. Ranging from a fully automated high bay racking system in a silo design to a manually operated shelving system, installed in a hall, a large number of combined designs exists between these two options. A silo design is one where the racking represents the load-bearing sub-constructions for the roof and facades.
The decision between a silo and an internal warehouse is often particularly significant. This is because the silo design provides a number of benefits even as early as the setup phase and during subsequent operation:
- Attractive space savings thanks to the compact design
- Simple base foundations thanks to load distribution across multiple shelf supports
- Quicker availability of the system thanks to a rapid assembly
- Lower operating costs (e.g. air conditioning, lighting)
- Attractive options for depreciation
Starting at a construction height of approx. 20 metres, it might be a good idea to build a high bay racking system in a silo design. Which design represents the best solution depends on a variety of parameters and is developed in multiple phases by SSI SCHAEFER together with the customer.
1st phase: Requirements of the customer in particular with regard to the type of goods, storage capacity and goods handling performance
2nd phase: Specification of the operating type as part of pre-planning work / concept study using the basic data acquired in phase 1 (automatic or manual)
3rd phase: Selection of the racking servicing equipment depending on a cost/performance analysis (unmanned, fully automatic storage and retrieval system or manually operated equipment, e.g. forklifts)
4th phase: Determination of the exact warehouse geometry taking into account other external factors, such as regional conditions or legal requirements (high and long or low and flat)
5th phase: Determination of the best warehouse model after considering the design-related benefits of the silo design
