Are you still using wooden pallets for concrete blocks?

Traditionally, wooden pallets for concrete blocks have been used for manufacturing of concrete blocks, pavers and kerbstones for a very long time. Only reason for the same has been abundant availability off softwood and law cost associated with it. However, concrete block manufacturers have had their fair share of problems with the wooden pallets especially the following:

  • Comparatively small lifespan
  • Surface irregularities
  • Deflection under heavy weight
  • Moisture problems
  • High breaking rates
  • Higher vibration time
Wooden pallets for concrete blocks have a finite and Small Lifespan considering they offer little resistance to the abrasive nature of concrete. With a density of softwood at 300kg/m3, it is helpless against the constant grinding of concrete on its surface. Slowly, the splinters start forming leading to eventual delay of the wooden board
Since a wooden board is made up of several individual boards joined together, opening and cracking at seams is very normal and experienced in 100% wooden boards. These Surface Irregularities are detrimental to the concrete products thus formed, creating consistent low quality products.

Low density of softwood can cause deflection of wooden pallets for concrete blocks under heavy loads. Deflection causes serious problems due to varying heights of products on the same production cycle, causing immense and continuous quality issues. Some countries are local councils are very strict about the maximum height deviation that can be acceptable.

Wood is a perpetual living material, as a result of which it constantly breathes air and water and can be victims of Moisture Problems. By nature, wood is an excellent material with very long lifespan provided it is kept at optimum moisture level at all times. This constantly maintained moisture levels enable boats last a lifetime as long as they stay in water. However, these characteristics change in an industrial environment when the wooden boards are subjected to rapidly changing humidity levels. Keeping the wooden pallets in sun a few times can completely ruin them forever, and require immediate replacement for continued concrete block production.

Wood is a soft material and is prone to high breaking rates requiring frequent replacements. This weakness is an irritant faced by production managers all over the world causing frequent disruptions in production schedule, and mismanagement in manpower scheduling.

However, the main negative point that production managers across the world face with wooden pallets for concrete blocks is the higher cycle times. Since wood has relatively low density at 300kg/m3, it resists transmission of vibrations, as a result of which, vibrations get absorbed in wooden pallets. Lesser vibrations reaching concrete translated to higher vibration period. Consequently, use of wooden production boards for concrete pallets translates into higher cycle times and to lesser production. It is generally estimated a 2 second faster cycle can enable you produce upto One Million more standard blocks per annum.

Maybe it is time that you tried out the most modern engineered materials for your factory. You might be pleasantly surprised at enhanced production levels and quality of your products. And yes, using Rhino Composite Pallets in not a bad idea!!!