Unidirectional base
A unidirectional base is a block-pallet bottom deck whose boards all run parallel in one direction, with no crosswise bottom boards. It is a full four-way design: forklifts and pallet jacks can enter from every side, though the pallet is stiffer and better supported along the board direction.
Also called parallel base, runner base, unidirectional bottom
Reviewed
How it compares with other block bases
| Base | Bottom board layout | Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Unidirectional | parallel boards only | full four-way |
| Perimeter | frame around all edges | full four-way |
| Cruciform | frame plus center cross | full four-way |
| Overlap | boards in both directions, stacked | partial four-way |
Design notes
- Support differs by direction, so tell the designer how the pallet will sit on conveyors and rack beams
- Bottom board edges that pallet-jack wheels roll over should be chamfered
- Runner-type designs such as the CP1 to CP5 chemical pallets are related layouts
Why it matters
A unidirectional base uses fewer bottom boards than a perimeter base and still gives full four-way access. The trade-off is less support in one direction. See block pallet and runner.
Questions
- Is a unidirectional base pallet four-way?
- Yes. With no crosswise bottom boards, forklifts and pallet jacks can enter from all four sides.
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.
- Cruciform baseA cruciform base is a block-pallet bottom with a perimeter frame plus center boards forming a cross. It adds support under the center block in both directions.
- RunnerA runner is the stringer of a skid, the long base member resting on the floor. On plastic pallets, runners are rails that let the pallet ride conveyors.
- 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.
- WingA wing is the part of a pallet deck that overhangs past the outer stringers. Single-wing pallets overhang on top only; double-wing on top and bottom.
- Woodpack GlobalWoodpack Global is the renamed National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA). It publishes the Uniform Standard for Wood Pallets and the PDS software.
Sources
- Uniform Standard for Wood Pallets (NWPCA, now Woodpack Global), 2012 edition
- CP pallets overview (Directpal)