What pallets are made of
The first step in the procedure is to choose the material; the type of wood used for the pallet might vary depending on a variety of circumstances. The majority of wood pallets are manufactured from a combination of hardwood and softwood.
Hardwood is derived from trees classed as angiosperms, or flowering plants. Hardwoods are frequently more costly since they take significantly longer to develop and may grow in less readily maintained regions.
However, the benefits of adopting a hardwood are that it is a highly sturdy material, which may help you maximise the load capacity of your pallet. Hardwoods include Mahogany, Maple, Teak, Walnut, and Oak. Oak is the most often utilised timber in wooden pallets.
Due to its strength and widespread availability, oak is the most commonly used hardwood. Furthermore, as oak is one of the most often utilised hardwoods in numerous sectors, there is often a lot of residual excess from these markets. Being a high-density hardwood, oak is perfect for pallets carrying heavy loads and sensitive items.
Softwood is derived from gymnosperm trees. Softwoods are less expensive since they grow faster and are plentiful. Softwoods include the following species: Douglas fir, spruce, yew, and the most often used softwood, pine.
Process of making pallets
The method might vary based on the kind and size of the pallet being constructed, the materials being used, and whether it is a basic pallet or a unique custom pallet.
Pallet cants are first obtained from nearby sawmills, and after being cut to the right length, torn into boards, and sawn into the right-sized deck boards and stringers for the required type of pallet, the process begins.
Next, stringers can be given notches to allow forklifts to enter in four directions or pallet jacks to enter in two directions. The wood may be treated before construction if the pallet will be used for hygienic purposes or for international shipment.
These sections can be put together manually using pneumatic nailers or, more typically, with machines that can nail together and make pallets in large quantities.
To increase productivity and efficiency, a broad range of machinery is available on the market, including board stackers, pallet nailers, pallet stackers, robotic dismantlers, and saws.
That is one of the most prevalent methods for making wooden pallets as bespoke pallets are produced to your exact specifications and measurements; they must go through a separate procedure. As a result, many additional details and particular methods will be required to develop your unique product.
Keedwell Scotland, along with our partner company Keedwell European Freight, provide end-to-end solutions for our customers looking to transport goods to and from Europe. Covering both land and sea logistics, we have the right partners in place on our network. Get in touch today to find out more.