Solutions • Intralogistics • Vertical storage

Vertical lift module: more floor space and faster picking.

A vertical lift module brings the tray with the item to pick to the operator at a comfortable height, and uses the vertical space that shelving leaves empty. We help you choose between a tray-based module and a vertical carousel and size it around your SKUs before asking manufacturers for quotes.

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In short

What is a vertical lift module?

It is a tall, enclosed cabinet with two columns of trays and a central lift that retrieves the requested tray and brings it to the picking opening. The operator calls up an item from the panel or the ERP, the tray arrives within seconds and a light indicator shows where to pick. In a vertical carousel, the shelves themselves rotate on a chain instead, like a Ferris wheel.

We help you choose the right vertical lift module: reply within 24 hours

How much does a vertical lift module cost?

The price depends on height, tray width and load capacity, the number of openings and the software, plus delivery and assembly. With your SKU list and the available space we ask manufacturers for quotes on the same sizing, so you can compare them side by side.

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  • Technical support in Italy
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Vertical storage

How a vertical lift module works.

Inside the unit, trays rest on two rows of shelf supports, one at the front and one at the back, and a lift travels up and down between them. When you call up an item the lift pulls out the tray, brings it to the opening and presents it to the operator, then returns it once picking is done, often to a different free slot. Many models measure the height of the material on the tray and store it in the best-fitting space, so the internal volume fills up without gaps.

Operator picking components from a tray presented at the opening of a vertical lift module
Picking

The goods come to the operator, not the other way around

With traditional shelving, order pickers walk, search and bend. With a vertical lift module the opening sits at waist height, the tray arrives on its own and a laser pointer or LED bar shows the right bin. The typical result is faster picking with fewer errors, and the material stays enclosed and protected from dust and unauthorized access.

  • Badge or login access to track who picks what.
  • Connection to the ERP or WMS for pick lists and up-to-date inventory.
  • Openings on more than one floor, so a single unit can serve two levels of the plant.
Choosing the system

Tray-based, vertical carousel or goods-to-person with mobile shelving?

These are three ways of bringing material to the operator, with different capacity and flexibility. The table helps you see which one fits your SKUs, with indicative values that depend on the model.

Comparison of vertical lift modules, vertical carousels and goods-to-person systems with mobile shelving
SystemHow it worksSuitable itemsStrengthsLimits
Vertical lift moduleCentral lift that retrieves trays from two columnsSpare parts, small parts, tools, even heavy and bulky itemsHigh capacity in height, trays rated for several hundred kilograms, heights beyond 15 metersOne tray at a time per opening, high pick rates need dual openings or more units
Vertical carouselShelves hung on a rotating chain that brings each shelf to the openingSmall and light items, documents, samplesVery fast access, simple mechanics, small footprintFixed shelf pitch, lower load capacity and height than tray-based units
Goods-to-person with mobile shelvingRobots carry entire shelving units to picking stationsMany SKUs with medium turnover, e-commerce, spare partsGrows by adding robots and shelves, uses the existing floorTakes more floor area than a vertical system for the same capacity

If space is the problem and your items vary from screws to components weighing a few dozen kilograms, a tray-based vertical lift module is usually the right choice. Vertical carousels make sense with small, uniform items and when access speed matters more than capacity. When SKUs number in the thousands, picks are frequent and the warehouse has to grow over time, also consider goods-to-person systems with mobile shelving, which work across the floor instead of upward.

Applications

Where vertical lift modules are used.

Maintenance spare parts

Bearings, seals and electrical and mechanical components for the plant, with controlled access and always up-to-date stock. Maintenance staff find the part within seconds, even at night.

Small parts and assembly kits

Screws, fittings and components for the assembly line. Operators build kits for each production order at the unit, which cuts trips to the workbench.

Tool cribs and fixtures

Cutting tools, tool holders, gauges and measuring instruments, kept protected and tracked by operator and machine.

Electronics and sensitive components

Component reels, boards and materials that need protection from dust and humidity, with climate-controlled versions available on some models.

Molds, inserts and sheet metal

With high-capacity trays, small molds, inserts and metal sheets fit too, freeing the space taken by floor shelving.

Pharmacies, laboratories and archives

Packs, reagents, samples and documents, where traceability, restricted access and error-free inventory matter.

Row of vertical lift modules reaching close to the ceiling in a warehouse with an epoxy floor
Floor space

Making use of building height

On the floor plan it takes only a few square meters, and it rises as high as the building allows. Manufacturers often quote floor space savings of up to 80-85% compared with traditional shelving, but the real figure depends on your material and how you store it today. Before the project, check the floor load capacity, since the weight is concentrated on a small area. Go over the fire protection requirements with a fire safety consultant.

  • Heights from a few meters to over 15, even through a mezzanine floor.
  • Tray width and depth chosen around the bulkiest items.
  • Several units side by side managed by the same software.

How many trays and how much height do you need?

Share the SKU list with dimensions and quantities and a layout of the area, and we can work out capacity, height and number of openings, and whether a lift module or a carousel suits you, before requesting the quote.

  • Tray-based or carousel
  • Technical support in Italy
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Technical criteria

How to choose a vertical lift module.

Sizing starts from what you store and how often you pick it, and only then comes the choice of machine.

Available height and floor

The clear height of the building and the floor load capacity decide how much storage you get. A loaded unit concentrates many tons on a few square meters, so the slab has to be checked first.

Trays, width and load capacity

Tray width, depth and load capacity are chosen around the largest and heaviest items. Typical ratings run from a few hundred kilograms up to about one ton per tray, depending on the model.

Picks per hour and number of openings

A single lift serves one tray at a time. If you pick a lot per hour, consider dual openings that prepare the next tray while the operator works, or several units side by side.

Software and ERP connection

The software manages stock, pick lists and access, and it pays off most when it talks to the ERP or WMS. Ask how integration works and who handles it.

Picking aids and ergonomics

Laser pointers, LED bars, tray displays and height-adjustable openings cut errors and fatigue. Opening guards and ease of loading also matter.

Safety and standards

Vertical lift modules and powered carousels fall under EN 15095 for safety requirements, along with the Machinery Directive. For plants with fire protection constraints or climate control, the necessary accessories should be assessed up front.

If your warehouse still runs on forklifts and drivers, AMRs and robotic forklifts are on the industrial automation and material handling page. For end-of-line work there is the automatic palletizer page, and the other categories are listed in DIPITECH solutions.

New or used

New or used vertical lift module?

A used vertical lift module is tempting because it costs less, but it needs a careful look. What counts is the age of the unit, the availability of spare parts and software updates, the condition of the lift and chains and the cost of dismantling, transport and reassembly, which adds up on a tall machine. After relocation the unit has to be recommissioned by qualified technicians, with the required safety checks.

A new unit is sized around the SKUs you stock and the building height, with software ready for the ERP connection. Our role is to help you define the request, compare quotes and coordinate the technical discussion with the manufacturer, who handles delivery, assembly and acceptance testing.

The DIPITECH approach

Sizing starts from your SKUs.

We start with what you need to store and how many times a day you pick it. Two units of the same height can differ widely in capacity and speed.

What to send us for an assessment

  • SKU list with dimensions, weight and stock quantities.
  • Number of picks per day and at peak hours.
  • Layout of the area with the building's clear height.
  • Type of floor or slab, if you know it.
  • ERP or WMS in use.
  • Whether you are also considering a used unit.
FAQ

Vertical lift module FAQ

How much does a vertical lift module cost?

It depends on height, tray width and load capacity, the number of openings and trays and the software, plus delivery, assembly and accessories such as laser pointers or motorized openings. Two units of the same height can be priced very differently. Send us your SKUs, pick volumes and available space and we will prepare a quote, based on proposals from suitable manufacturers.

What is the difference between a vertical lift module and a vertical carousel?

In a vertical lift module a central lift retrieves the requested tray and brings it to the opening, with high-capacity trays and heights beyond 15 meters. A vertical carousel, also called a paternoster, rotates its shelves on a chain until the right one reaches the opening. A carousel is fast and simple with small items, while a tray-based module offers more capacity, load rating and flexibility.

How much space can a vertical lift module save?

It depends on how you store today and on the available height. Manufacturers often quote floor space savings of up to 80-85% compared with traditional shelving, but the figure has to be calculated on your own material. With the SKU list, dimensions and a layout we can give you a conservative estimate.

Is a used vertical lift module worth it?

It can be if the unit is recent, the manufacturer still supplies spare parts and software, and the cost of dismantling, transport and reassembly stays reasonable. The lift, chains and safety devices have to be checked, and after relocation the unit needs recommissioning and the required inspections. On old or unsupported units the initial saving can disappear quickly.

Can a vertical lift module connect to my ERP?

Yes, almost every model has management software that can talk to an ERP or a WMS, receiving pick lists and returning stock levels. The type of connection and who builds it should be clarified in the quote, because they affect project time and cost.

Which safety standards apply to vertical lift modules?

Vertical lift modules and powered carousels fall under EN 15095 for safety requirements and under the Machinery Directive, replaced from January 20, 2027 by Regulation (EU) 2023/1230. The picking opening has guards that stop movement when the operator is in the danger zone. Fire protection and floor capacity should be checked with the relevant consultants.

How do I request a quote?

Message us on WhatsApp, by email or through the form with the items to store, their dimensions and quantities, daily picks, available height and the ERP you use, ideally with a layout. We reply within 24 hours and collect proposals from manufacturers for the right model.

Application support

Support with your choice, before and after you buy.

We help you choose a vertical lift module for the material you need to store, and we back you with technical support in Italy in the discussion with the manufacturer, including after acceptance testing.

Contact

Let’s find the right vertical lift module for your material.

Even a rough SKU list exported from your ERP and a layout of the area are enough for a first estimate.

Application request

Tell us what you need to store.

Describe your SKUs, quantities and available space; add a layout or an item list if you have them.

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