PROJECTS

MAIN OBJECTIVE
Development of pallets with modular technology and a configurable structure, studying the feasibility of new materials and new assembly technologies of the pallet components.

SCOPE
In recent years, the concern for reverse logistics induced the companies to reorganise the need for the return of their goods, materials or equipment. The use of light pallets, with high structural resistance and durability, easy cleaning and decontamination, reconfigurable, with reduced maintenance costs and with materials of high residual value, has been acquiring great importance. The industry of pallets tried to achieve higher levels of functionality and, at the same time, reduce economic and environmental costs regarding the production, maintenance, recycling and disposal.

In this context, QuickPALLET project includes the development of metal pallets, innovative for their modularity, configurable structure and traceability technology, as well as software for automatic designing of the structure and optimal configuration of the modular components.

MAIN OBJETIVES
The project presents the following specific goals:

• to acquire technical and specific knowledge about storage and transportation of goods using pallets, for the specificities of the different industries (e.g., chemical, food, pharmaceutical, distribution, etc.);
• to study materials with high performances in terms of dynamic behaviour and durability;
• to develop modular constructive solutions with a configurable structure that can be disassembled at the destination, to reduce further costs;
• to develop new production processes associated with automated assembly technologies that are more efficient in the factory and that allow the time reduction to deliver pallets to the end consumer in accordance with the required dimensions;
• to develop traceable solutions via TIC to assist the registration of transported products and the logistics processes of automated storage and distribution;
• to develop sustainable solutions, with a high recycling rate, increasing the residual value of the product at the end of its useful life, allowing the pallet owner to recover part of the initial investment.
  

PROJECT ACTIVITIES AND EXPECTED RESULTS
QuickPALLET project has a total duration of 30 months, where the following R&TD activities will be carried out:

• Activity A1: Definition of functional requirements.
• Activity A2: Development and numerical optimization.
• Activity A3: Industrial development and prototypes.
• Activity A4: Validation tests.
• Activity A5: Development of the "QuickPALLET" software.
• Activity A6: Promotion and dissemination of results.
• Activity A7: Technical and financial management.

MAIN RESULTS
Definition of functional requirements: This activity has been concluded. The main results achieved in this activity were (1) the identification, collection and analysis of the regulations applicable to the developed product, covering the product specificities for the different target markets and industries; (2) the collecting of competing products in the market that may compete with the solution to be developed in terms of use and (3) the definition of the validation tests for the different target markets and industries.