WAREHOUSE AUTOMATION & MATERIAL FLOW

VERTICAL RECIPROCATING CONVEYORS

Move materials between levels without using a passenger elevator or relying on repeated forklift travel. Two3 helps plan vertical reciprocating conveyor systems around your loads, landings, building and workflow.

TALK WITH OUR TEAM AUTOMATION HOME
  • MULTI-LEVEL MATERIAL FLOW
  • PALLET AND CART LOADS
  • MEZZANINE INTEGRATION
  • TURNKEY COORDINATION

START WITH THE LOAD AND THE BUILDING

MOVE MATERIAL BETWEEN LEVELS WITH A SYSTEM PLANNED FOR THE OPERATION

A vertical reciprocating conveyor, commonly called a VRC or material lift, carries products between fixed elevations. It can connect a floor to a mezzanine, serve multiple levels, or support production and distribution workflows where stairs and forklifts are not the right answer. A VRC transports materials, not people.

Where a VRC can support the operation

  • Pallet and skid movement

    Plan platform size, capacity and access around palletized loads, containers or equipment.

  • Cart and tote transfer

    Support repeatable movement between picking, packing, production and storage levels.

  • Mezzanine integration

    Coordinate gates, guards, landings and structural interfaces as part of the complete elevated-workspace plan.

    EXPLORE MEZZANINES 

SYSTEM FIT

The right VRC starts with what moves, where it stops and how it is loaded

Capacity alone does not define the system. Load dimensions, loading method, number of stops, travel distance, access orientation, cycle frequency and surrounding traffic all affect the configuration.

  • Maximum load weight and dimensions
  • Number of landings and total travel
  • Forklift, pallet jack or cart interface
  • Required gates, enclosures and controls
  • Floor openings, structure and available clearances
EXPLORE ENGINEERING AND DESIGN

Inputs that shape a VRC project

  • Load profile

    Document maximum weight, dimensions, stability and the equipment used to load and unload.

  • Landing layout

    Confirm approach space, access direction, overhead clearance and safe movement at every level.

  • Controls and guarding

    Plan interlocks, call stations, enclosures and traffic separation around the operating area.

IMAGINE

Start with the operation and the constraint

We document the load, movement, elevations and surrounding traffic before defining the equipment.

EXPLORE AUTOMATION

INTEGRATE

Coordinate the system with the surrounding work

The VRC, structure, gates, guarding, controls and material-flow plan need to work as one system.

EXPLORE CONVEYOR SYSTEMS

IMPLEMENT

Carry the plan through installation

Two3 coordinates equipment, delivery, installation and jobsite requirements around the project schedule.

SEE THE TWO3 PROCESS

Related systems to review with a VRC

  • Warehouse automation

    Evaluate vertical movement as part of the broader material-flow plan.

    AUTOMATION HOME 

  • Mezzanines

    Coordinate landings, gates and structural interfaces with the elevated platform.

    EXPLORE MEZZANINES 

  • Safety solutions

    Plan guarding and traffic separation around loading and unloading points.

    EXPLORE SAFETY 

VRC FAQ

Questions about vertical reciprocating conveyors

Is a VRC the same as an elevator?

No. A VRC is designed to transport materials between levels and is not intended to carry people.

Can a VRC connect to an existing mezzanine?

Often, yes. The mezzanine, opening, guards, gates and supporting structure need to be evaluated together.

What information is needed for an initial layout?

Start with load size and weight, number of landings, travel height, loading method, desired access direction and available floor space.

START WITH THE LOAD AND LANDINGS

Planning material flow between levels?

Share the load, landing and building details. We will help define the right next step.