Fasteners and Tools for Automated Warehouse Construction

Technology has changed the retail business, and it continues to do so. Rather than ordering goods from a catalog or local store and waiting for them to be delivered, orders are now fulfilled overnight. Large retailers, such as Amazon and Walmart, even offer same-day delivery in some regions.

Automated warehouses that drop-ship goods the minute they receive an order are powering the retail revolution.

What Is an Automated Warehouse?

Automated warehouses depend on sophisticated pick-and-pack systems with automated conveyors assembled using fasteners and tools that can handle continuous operation.

Automated warehouses can speed up the shipping of goods, but they require an extensive system of conveyors, scanners, and robots to identify merchandise and pull goods for shipping. The goal of automation is to shorten the delivery time by eliminating the need for workers to comb through the warehouse to fill orders manually. An automated warehouse can handle more goods, reducing costs and saving time and labor.

Of course, moving goods through the warehouse requires a sophisticated conveyor system. Collaborative robots and overhead conveyor systems use barcodes and other scanning systems to identify and prepare goods for shipment. Because many of these conveyor systems are vast, they must be reliable, easy to service, and installed using reliable fasteners and tools.

The Boom in ASRS

Automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) are driving automated warehouses. Multiple ASRS designs use overhead conveyors, rotating shelves, horizontal and vertical carousels, cranes, shuttles, vertical lift modules, and other systems. All these systems combine robotics, digital controls, scanners, and other technology to ensure smooth operations.

ASRS is a booming market—the value of ASRS was $8.5 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $17.1 billion by 2032. Shippers have identified several advantages to adopting ASRS technology. These systems:

• Save warehouse space, allowing more space for storage.
• Reduce labor costs.
• Are more accurate and aren’t prone to human error.
• Enable more precise inventory tracking and control.
• Shorten order processing time.

Automated warehouses also use various types of conveyor systems:

• Belt conveyors are the most common and use continuous belts that move over pulleys. Belt conveyors are commonly used in manufacturing and warehouse settings.

• Roller conveyors are also standard and use rollers mounted on axles to move goods. They are ideal for heavy and bulky items, such as pallets and bulk containers.

• Chain conveyors are commonly used in factories, such as auto manufacturing. They make it easy to transport heavy items.

• Overhead conveyors are increasingly used in automated warehouses. They provide overhead track-mounted runs to transport goods from one part of the warehouse to another.

Some companies, such as Symbiotic, are creating custom ASRS systems optimized for specific applications and environments. Companies with extensive warehouse requirements, such as Walmart and Amazon, are even creating their own robotics divisions to automate shipping. Kroger is applying automation to expedite grocery shipping. The retailer has been expanding operations in its fulfillment centers by adding on-rail robots for picking and packing and automated frameload systems to crate orders.

Fasteners for Mounting Automated Warehouse Systems

Automated warehouses require reliable conveyor systems that can withstand continuous stress and vibration without failure. To install warehouse equipment, installers need to use high-performance fasteners and fastener tools.

Floor-mounted hardware, such as vertical and horizontal carousel modules and shelving systems mounted on floor tracks, must be fastened to the floor so they won’t shift over time. Carousel systems must be secured so they won’t move when used. Transport systems, such as rollers and overhead conveyors, must be securely installed. Overhead conveyors, for example, must be fastened to the ceiling so they won’t loosen or fail with continued use.

When choosing fasteners for automated warehouse equipment, installers look for blind bolts, lockbolts, and rivets that are vibration-resistant and won’t loosen under continuous use. They also want fasteners that are easy to inspect and maintain. Even the best fasteners may loosen over time, so they must be easy to identify and replace.

Huck blind rivets and BOMs are often used to build automated warehouses. The Huck BobTail^® lockbolt is ideal for mounting conveyor systems. It doesn’t have a pintail and has an installation indicator for easy inspection. The BobTail requires no maintenance and delivers consistent performance. 

The Huck C50LR is a pin-break fastener with high tensile strength. It’s available in ½- and 1-inch sizes for heavy-duty applications.

The Huck FloorTight^® is another popular fastener for equipment installations. It was developed for flooring installations in large vehicles and is ideal for wood-to-metal installations. It has a self-countersinking head and cannot be over- or under-torqued. 

Huck BOMs and Avdel POP^® rivets are also useful for installing automated warehouse systems. Nose equipment is available to accommodate 5/16- and 3/8-inch BOM blind bolts for maximum flexibility.

Tools for Mounting Automated Warehouse Systems

In addition to the correct fasteners, installers need the right fastener tools. The Makita BV17 and BV13 are handheld fastener tools ideally suited for installing conveyors and overhead systems. These lightweight, battery-powered tools offer portability and 40-volt power, making it easy to install equipment quickly without hydraulic hoses.

Huck also has hydraulic-powered fastener tools, including the Huck 2600B-12, a hydraulic fastener tool with a 12-foot hose, and a pintail collection bottle. The Huck 2600 series fastener tools for larger installations are ideal for heavy-duty installations requiring more power. Setting up a pneumatic tool on-site is easy with the Huck Powering^®, a portable hydraulic power unit that uses electrical power to run any Huck hydraulic fastener tool. The Powerig is ideal for use on a job site.

Specialized applications, such as automated warehouse equipment installations, require specialty fasteners and fastener tools. Shop the Bay Supply Marketplace for the best fasteners and tools for any installation.