Light Duty Racks
Mecalux M3Manual storage and archiving solution that adapts to a broad array of light loads and various work environments.
The product
Maximum flexibility to suit multiple applications
Mecalux’s M3 light duty racks are manual storage and archiving systems for light loads. These strong, durable, highly versatile structures are compatible with a wide variety of needs, including e-commerce order picking, product display and document archiving.
Thanks to the combination of a broad range of components and accessories, light duty storage racks adapt perfectly to different types of loads (small parts, boxes, packages and documents, among other items) and multiple work environments (warehouses, workshops, production centres, shops and offices).
Advantages of M3 light duty racks
- Multifunctional: Mecalux’s M3 light duty racks are ideal for various applications and workspaces. They offer a load capacity of up to 275 kg per level.
- Versatile: the wide variety of accessories available for these racks enables them to be fully customised and adapted to a broad range of medium and light loads.
- Quick, easy assembly: the system is installed in just a few steps, following clear, simple instructions.
- Configurable and scalable: the height of the shelves can be changed by moving the panels in increments of 25 mm. Moreover, the storage system is easily expandable by adding bays and height levels.
- Sturdy and durable: the tried-and-tested quality of the materials employed by Mecalux ensures the storage system's reliability and long service life.
- E-commerce: using dividers to form compartments, and picking assistance solutions such as pick-to-light systems make M3 light duty racks particularly suitable for e-commerce warehouses.
The shelving’s high quality and distribution have significantly increased our picking productivity
Applications of light duty racks
Multi-purpose storage solution for various uses and workspaces
M3 light duty storage racks are highly versatile structures that adjust easily to the specific needs of a wide range of businesses and sectors. They are suitable for small and large warehouses and manufacturing centres as well as offices, shops and document archiving centres.
Storage of moderate to medium-weight goods
M3 light duty racks can support up to 275 kg per level, making them perfect for various types of light and medium loads.
E-commerce warehouses
This shelving speeds up order picking by offering manual access to all SKUs stored.
Office buildings and workspaces
Accessories such as dividers and suspension filing sets facilitate the organisation of documents and other materials.
Workshops and production centres
Thanks to accessories like plastic drawers, light duty racks can house tools and components.
Shops and back rooms
Lightweight shelving is ideal for storing stock and displaying all kinds of products in shops.
Archives and document centres
Light duty shelving can house file boxes and folders to classify and store all types of documentation.
High-bay storage
M3 light duty racks can form a multi-tier system with raised aisles, reaching a total height of 8 m.
Testimonials
These M3 light duty racks have brought order and cleanliness to our warehouse, along with faster storage and order picking. Plus, we have accurate computerised records of product locations.
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With this racking, not only have we gained in storage capacity, but we can also prepare more orders than before. Likewise, the racks are equipped with safety devices to ensure that the operators and the goods are fully protected.
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Thanks to the M3 light duty racks, now, we can cater to online shoppers and all Decathlon retail shops in the UK more rapidly.
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Case studies
The bilstein group's automotive spare parts warehouse in Portugal
bilstein group, an automotive spare parts supplier, has opened a new warehouse in Venda do Pinheiro (Portugal). Mecalux has equipped it with three storage systems to help speed up order preparation: pallet racks, shelving for picking and cantilever racks. Read more
Caffè d’Autore: all logistics begin with a good cup of coffee
Caffè d’Autore, distributor of espresso machines, has installed racks for picking and Easy WMS software from Mecalux in its Barcelona warehouse. This system precisely controls the 2,800 available SKUs and scrupulously manages all operations. Read more
Decathlon has opened a new omnichannel warehouse in Northampton (United Kingdom)
The Decathlon sporting goods store has opened a new omnichannel warehouse in Northampton (UK), which Mecalux has equipped with shelves for picking. It is an omnichannel warehouse, where online orders are prepared and products are distributed to Decathlon stores throughout the UK. Read more
The logistics centre of the Alliance Healthcare wholesale pharmaceutical company in Lisbon was sectored into five zones to organise products according to demand
Case study of the Alliance Healthcare picking warehouse in Portugal developed by Mecalux and other examples of storage systems. Read more
Components for M3 light duty racks
M3 light duty racks are storage structures that stand out for their simple assembly. They comprise components manufactured from tried-and-tested quality materials, ensuring a long service life.
The basic structure of Mecalux’s M3 light duty racking consists of four elements: frames, footplates, shelves and bracing components (either cross bracing sets or metal back panels). These elements provide the necessary robustness to ensure the storage system’s stability and stiffness.
The various frame options available make it possible to adapt M3 light duty racks to different requirements. These range from enhanced storage system stiffness to improved ventilation of stored goods.
The choice of shelving will depend on the characteristics and weight of the goods stored in addition to other warehouse details, such as the need for air and water flow.
Mecalux’s medium and light duty racks are equipped with a set of safety components that ensure the longitudinal and transverse stability of the structure and prevent the stored goods from falling or shifting.
Frames
Vertical metal elements created using two uprights joined together with cross ties, sets of cross ties and diagonals or side panels/metal mesh.
Shelves
Horizontal elements fitted to uprights to form the load-bearing storage levels. They are available in two models: light-duty (for light loads) and heavy-duty (for medium and heavy loads).
Footplates
Parts fitted to the bottom of the uprights to provide good support. Footplates are available in plastic or metal.
Frame unions
Components made of galvanised steel that connect two frames at the back to join two shelving units together.
Upright splices
Elements used to expand the storage system vertically by splicing two uprights. Upright splices do not interfere with the placement of the shelves.
Frames with cross ties
This is the basic configuration, consisting of two uprights and at least two cross ties. Depending on the height of the racking, more cross ties can be added.
Frames with cross ties and diagonals
Similar to the basic configuration, this option also integrates crossed diagonals to increase the stiffness and stability of high-bay shelving.
Frames with metal side panels
Closed frames that prevent loads stored in adjacent bays from mixing with each other. They provide the outer frames with a sleek finish and can be smooth or slotted.
Frames with metal mesh
These frames prevent goods from falling off the side. Moreover, they allow products to be viewed from the side and foster better ventilation of storage levels.
Metal shelves
These are the basic elements used to create storage levels. They offer a large load capacity.
Metal mesh shelves
Shelving panels made of electro-welded metal mesh. They enable ventilation and water flow if the fire safety system is activated.
Chipboard shelves
Shelving panels made of chipboard for storing particularly heavy products or those with abrasive surfaces.
Cross bracing sets
Elements that are vital for the stability and longitudinal stiffness of the shelving. They clip into the side slots on the rear uprights.
Sheet metal back panels
Components that close off the rear of the shelving to prevent goods from falling out of the back (single-sided bays) or from mixing with other products (double-sided bays). They also help to stiffen the structure.
Mesh backing
Element with the same function as sheet metal back panels. Mesh backing, however, allows light and air to pass through the shelving units.
Shelf retainer
Horizontal metal profiles that can be placed on the front of each storage level to prevent goods from falling off the front of the shelves.
Plinths
Horizontal metal profiles that cover the lower gap to prevent objects and dust from going under the shelving units.
Safe load warning notices
Signs that specify the characteristics of the storage system. They are placed in visible areas on the ends of the racking units.
Accessories for M3 light duty racks
Wide range of accessories to adapt the shelving to store all types of light and medium loads
Shelf dividers and compartments
Shelf dividers can form compartments, thus improving the organisation of small goods. Dividers are available in different heights and depths.
Removable plastic drawers
Made of polypropylene and very useful for storing and classifying small items. They have a large load capacity and are resistant to handling.
Stackable plastic bins
Made of polystyrene and perfect for housing small and very varied SKUs. Goods are accessed quickly and conveniently via the bins’ front opening.
Suspension filing set
Accessory designed to store hanging folders of different sizes. It fits the most common models on the market and is ideal for offices and workspaces.
Garment rail set
Parts for hanging clothes, samples and other products. Double garment rail sets are available for increased capacity.
Vertical rail dividers
Separators for storing and classifying irregularly shaped items.
Horizontal dividers
Accessories used to house odd-sized loads (e.g., profiles or tubes) vertically.
Side hooks
Elements that latch onto frames with slotted sides to hang tools, samples, bags and other products.
Doors
Two metal doors can be attached to the racking unit to create a closed cupboard. Doors are manufactured in two heights (1,000 and 2,000 mm) and include a handle and lock set.
Magnetic label holders
Magnetic plastic holders fitted to the front of the shelving to identify the goods stored on each level.
Aisle signs
Metal tags attached to the ends of shelving units to identify them with numbers or letters. These signs can be read from both the access aisle and inside the shelving aisle.
Pick-to-light system
Picking assistance solution consisting of numeric displays that show operators how many items of each product to retrieve. It reduces errors and speeds up picking.
FAQs
M3 light duty racks are a manual storage solution designed to house a wide array of lightweight goods.
The load capacity of these racks varies depending on the type of shelves used. M3 light duty racking systems configured with light-duty shelves can support a maximum weight of 150 kg per level. With heavy-duty shelves, on the other hand, the maximum load capacity increases to 275 kg per level.
Yes. The height of the shelves can be adjusted in increments of 25 mm. This makes it possible to tailor storage spaces to accommodate variations in the dimensions of stored goods. Likewise, M3 light duty racks allow for quick, easy expansion by adding additional units. Alternatively, raised aisles can be configured to create a multi-tier system.
M3 light duty racks stand out for their high versatility. They can accommodate multiple types of light loads, from small components, replacement parts, tools, boxes and packages to hanging garments, wheels, profiles and folders with documents.
M3 light duty racks are not designed to accommodate pallets. Nevertheless, Mecalux offers a wide variety of pallet racking to meet any need relating to the storage of palletised loads.
Yes. Removable plastic drawers for M3 light duty racks can be fitted with transverse or longitudinal dividers. These create compartments within the drawers for easy classification of stored merchandise. Meanwhile, stackable plastic bins can be assembled together to form a compact unit.
Yes, the assembly of M3 light duty racks is simple, fast and safe.
This is advisable to ensure maximum stability. Alternatively, this stiffness can be achieved by using sheet metal or mesh back panels. In the case of cross braces, these components will be installed on the shelving every few units. For example, if the maximum load a unit can support is 1,450 kg, cross braces will be placed on one in every 10 shelving units. If the maximum load is 3,650 kg, it will be installed on one in every four. Ultimately, the specific number of cross braces will depend on the number of shelving units, their height and the weight of the loads stored.
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