FlowCell Modular Flow Racks
FlowCell modular flow racks are storage units and workstations designed for a facility’s unique operation. Our durable, portable flow racks maximize pick efficiency and space for lineside storage, sub-assembly stations, supermarket racks, modular mobile carts, and more.
FlowCell Benefits & Features
FlowCell provides a flexible, ergonomic solution that supports Lean principles. Modular flow racks organize your inventory, accelerate pick productivity, and eliminate waste.
Benefits
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Increase space utilization by up to 50%
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Boost production efficiency by up to 30%
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Minimize reaching and improve ergonomics by reducing injury and fatigue
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Create reconfigurable, flexible storage to accommodate line and process changes
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Ensure FIFO inventory rotation
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Keep the factory floor organized — totes and boxes can be stored in return lanes rather than on the floor
Features
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Reconfigurable, adjustable units for each unique operation
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Clean, organized sightlines
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Engineered to angle parts toward the picker
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Heavy gauge steel construction
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Quick assembly (under 1 hour)
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Workstation
Shown with three levels of SpanTrack Bed (1.6" Hex Hub) and tilted pick tray.
Lineside
Shown with three levels of SpanTrack Lane (.75" Aluminum) and casters.
Mobile Unit
Shown with three levels of SpanTrack Bed (1.6" Hex Hub) and casters.
Stationary Unit
Shown with three levels of SpanTrack Lane (.75" Aluminum).
Who Can Benefit from FlowCell Modular Flow Racks?
FlowCell modular flow racks are designed to streamline various processes across different industries, offering a flexible and efficient storage and picking solution. These flow racks can benefit the following industries:
- Manufacturing: Flow racks enable optimized and accessible storage and picking areas for manufacturing lines, aligning with lean manufacturing principles by reducing waste and improving accessibility.
- Order Fulfillment Centers: FlowCell can create customized workstations for flow-through, picking, packing, and kitting, streamlining order fulfillment processes based on unique warehouse facility needs.
- Retail Backrooms & Order Pick Up: These modular flow racks can accommodate space constraints in retail backrooms or pick-up areas, organizing inventory or staging orders at ergonomic elevations with flexibility to adapt to changing needs.
- Third-Party Logistics Facilities: FlowCell offers an agile and cost-effective warehouse storage solution for 3PL providers, accommodating various product sizes and quickly adapting to different client contracts, even in smaller footprints or height-restricted areas.
How FlowCell Modular Flow Racks Support Lean Manufacturing Principles
FlowCell modular flow racks are designed to align with the core principles of lean manufacturing, enabling operations to eliminate waste, improve efficiency, and enhance quality control throughout their facilities. These modular flow rack systems increase operational efficiency in the following ways:
- Waste Elimination: FlowCell modular flow racks help eliminate wasted time, motion, and space by keeping parts accessible at the pick face, supporting first-in, first-out (FIFO) stock rotation, and improving overall visibility within a compact footprint.
- Continuous Flow: FlowCell modular flow racks keep inventory moving efficiently from one process to the next, supporting uninterrupted operations in assembly, kitting, and parts replenishment. They are ideal for lineside storage, mobile carts, workstation integration, and more.
- Just-In-Time (JIT) Production: FlowCell modular flow racks offer a flexible design that can be configured to match your workflow, keeping inventory aligned with production needs and helping manufacturers achieve true just-in-time operations.
- Built-in Quality: By keeping components organized in smooth-flowing, accessible lanes, flow racks make it easier to access parts, reduce damage risk, and facilitate consistent quality control in line with lean's 5S system (sort, set, shine, standardize, sustain).
Build a Modular Flow Rack with Our Free Design Tool
Build FlowCell modular flow racks from scratch or choose from existing configurations. Our free design tool makes it easy to ensure your flow racks will optimize space, improve inventory flow, and boost productivity for various applications.
FlowCell FAQs
How does FlowCell compare in price to other flow racks like pipe and joint or aluminum extrusions?
Due to its extreme flexibility and modularity, thousands of FlowCell modular flow racks can be engineered to create the ideal solution for your specific needs. This makes it very difficult to provide specific pricing! The average price of our FlowCell flow racks is around $1,000, but to get the most accurate pricing, we recommend designing your solution using our FlowCell configurator. We will send your design straight to your inbox, and one of our product specialists can work with you to refine the solution to meet your unique needs.
What is the capacity of a FlowCell unit?
All FlowCell posts are rated at 10,000 pounds. Mobile FlowCell units are rated at 3,000 pounds maximum (750 lb. per caster). We recommend considering the weight of the tracks and structure when calculating total loads.
Why should I use FlowCell over pipe and joint or aluminum extrusions or install carton flow into my existing pallet rack?
While it may make sense for you to install carton flow into your existing pallet rack for certain applications, FlowCell modular flow racks may make more sense if you’re looking for a modular solution that offers more flexibility and allows for frequent process changes. Here are our top 4 reasons to choose FlowCell over pipe and joint or aluminum extrusions:
- FlowCell is much faster to install (30 to 60 minutes per unit).
- Pipe and joint systems are not as durable. With FlowCell, you don’t have to worry about constantly replacing broken joints.
- UNEX offers best-in-class flow with SpanTrack, The Original Carton Flow Track.
- FlowCell is a total solution that is tailored to meet your specific requirements. Other solutions are sold as more of an “off-the-shelf” kit. Because of this, customers purchase parts they don’t really need. Another downside to this approach is that customers don’t necessarily get the support they need to create solutions that are engineered specifically for their operations. Our team of experts will work with you to ensure you are designing a FlowCell solution that will meet your immediate needs and allow maximum flexibility to adapt to process changes over time.
Does FlowCell only come in blue?
“FlowCell blue” is our standard color for this solution, but color alternatives are available upon request (price will be provided at the time of request). You can choose alternate colors, including white, gray, or ivory. UNEX can also match any RAL color #. Approximate colors can be referenced at: https://www.ralcolor.com/
What are the size specifications of FlowCell posts and beams?
FlowCell hole diameters are .4375" and punched on 1" centers. FlowCell foot plate dimensions are industry standard 4" x 4.5". FlowCell posts are stocked in 6” increments from 18” through 84”. Other sizes are available upon request. FlowCell beams are available in 6" increments from 12" to 96" long. Beam sizes can also be ordered in to-the-inch increments for a small setup fee. Please contact us for pricing on custom sizes.
Are casters available for UNEX FlowCell?
Casters are available in fixed and swivel. The wheel is glass-filled polypropylene with a sealed precision bearing. Wheel diameter is 4” x 2” wide. Material is phenolic, and the manufacturer is Colson. Load Rating: 750 lbs. per caster. Swivel lock is also available. Other sizes, materials, and types of casters are available upon request.
Does UNEX offer accessories for FlowCell? What type of work surfaces do you offer?
UNEX offers a number of FlowCell accessories, including toolbars, workbenches, casters, add-on pick trays, and pick shelves. We offer a steel work surface in 12” and 18” depths. Brackets are available separately for attaching the third-party work surface of your choice to FlowCell posts.
What are FlowCell flow rack structures made of?
FlowCell beams 60″ and longer are constructed from 12 gauge steel tubing. FlowCell beams under 60″ are constructed from 14 gauge steel tubing. All FlowCell posts are manufactured from 12 gauge steel tubing.
Companies That Choose FlowCell Modular Flow Racks
BraunAbility
Daimler Trucks Components & Logistics
HelloFresh
American Manufacturer of Wheelchair Accessible Vans Maximizes Space with UNEX FlowCell
Truck-Building Business Picks Up Speed, Space and Accuracy with UNEX Solutions
HelloFresh Makes Room for Growth – and Future Appetites, Thanks to FlowCell
Resources
Explore AllMore To Consider
Roller Rack
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SpeedCell
A dynamic high-density storage system that optimizes storage space within your racks, increasing storage density by up to 60% for faster and more accurate picks.
SpeedCartt
A flexible and fast mobile order picking cart ideal for restocking, order fulfillment, seasonal demands, and more.
Connect with an Expert
Get in touch with a space optimization expert to learn how our solutions maximize productivity and optimize warehouse space.
