Cruciform base
A cruciform base is a block-pallet bottom deck made of a perimeter frame plus center connector boards that cross in the middle, forming a cross (cruciform) pattern. It supports the center block in both directions and keeps full four-way entry.
Also called cruciform bottom, cross base
Reviewed
How a cruciform base is built
A cruciform base adds boards along the center lines of a perimeter base, linking the edge blocks to the center block in both directions. The Uniform Standard also groups a panel bottom with cutouts under this style.
Why add the cross
- Center support: the center block bears on bottom boards in both directions, which helps on roller conveyors and floor stacking
- Stiffness: the extra boards tie the pallet together, which suits heavy loads and automated handling
- Four-way access: openings remain in each bay for pallet-jack wheels
Block bottom styles compared
| Base | Bottom boards | Relative wood use |
|---|---|---|
| Unidirectional | one direction | lowest |
| Perimeter | edges only | medium |
| Cruciform | edges plus center cross | highest |
Plastic and aluminum pallets also use perimeter and cruciform bottoms for rackable designs. See block pallet.
Questions
- What is the difference between perimeter and cruciform bases?
- Both frame the edges. A cruciform base adds center boards that cross in the middle, supporting the center block in both directions.
Related
- Perimeter baseA perimeter base is a block-pallet bottom with boards around all four edges, like a picture frame. It gives full four-way forklift and pallet-jack entry.
- Unidirectional baseA unidirectional base is a block-pallet bottom whose boards all run in one direction, with no crosswise bottom boards, giving full four-way pallet-jack entry.
- Block pallet: how it's built and when it beats a stringer palletA block pallet rests on 9 blocks joined by stringerboards, giving full 4-way fork entry. See how it is built, when to use it and what a quote needs.
- Perimeter base pallet: a block pallet with a framed bottomA perimeter base pallet is a block pallet whose bottom boards frame all four edges. How it compares with unidirectional and cruciform bases, and specs.
- Cut listA pallet cut list gives the pieces of each size needed for an order: parts per pallet x pallets. 1,000 GMA pallets need 8,000 boards at 5/8 x 3-1/2 x 40 in.
- Deck coverageDeck coverage is the share of a pallet deck's area covered by boards. A GMA-style 48x40 top deck covers about 59%: 28.5 in of boards over a 48 in length.
Sources
- Uniform Standard for Wood Pallets (NWPCA, now Woodpack Global), 2012 edition