MDK modular tray dividers for Kardex VLMs

The Penn Elcom MDK modular tray divider system turns the open trays of your Kardex vertical lift module (VLM) into organized, adjustable compartments. Each system is made from 0.028" steel and combines a rigid frame, long dividers that set the width of each lane, and cross dividers that set the depth of each compartment. You lay out every tray around the inventory it holds, and when your inventory changes, you move the dividers rather than buying a new insert.

MDK kits are available for Kardex trays with 59" x 32" and 71" x 34" nominal footprints. Every component is also sold separately, so you can start with a single tray, extend a layout as your product line grows, or equip a whole Kardex machine one tray at a time.

Reconfigure whenever your inventory changes

Long dividers locate on a 2.0" slot grid across the frame, so lane widths can be changed as parts are added, discontinued or resized. The same steel components are reused in every new layout, which keeps the cost of reorganizing a Kardex tray low.

Robust steel construction

Frames and dividers are formed from 0.028" steel. Steel holds its shape through daily picking and restocking, giving heavier parts, tooling and components firm, clearly defined walls.

Sized for Kardex trays

MDK frames are built around the nominal footprints of Kardex VLM trays, with a 59.1" perimeter that keeps inventory contained and in its assigned location every time the tray is retrieved.

Compartments sized to the part

Cross dividers are available in 2.0" steps from 2.0" to 19.69" to match the lane grid, and up to three can be fitted in each lane to create up to four compartments from front to back.

Full kits or individual components

Start with a complete kit, or buy frames, long dividers and cross dividers individually to expand an existing layout, rebuild a tray or replace a single part.

Ships flat for efficient delivery

Every MDK component ships flat and is assembled on site, which keeps shipping volumes down when you are fitting out several Kardex trays at once.

Each MDK layout is built from three component types that locate together inside the Kardex tray:

1. The frame forms a rigid 5.91 in (150mm) high perimeter inside the tray. It is supplied as two side bars, two end bars and fasteners, and its slotted inner faces set the 2.0" in (50mm) grid for the long dividers.
2. Long dividers run from front to back and create the main lanes. They reposition across the frame in 2.0" increments, so you can space the lanes to suit what you are storing.
3. Cross dividers clip between the long dividers to split each lane into compartments. They locate on slots set at a 7.87" pitch along each long divider, with up to three fitted per lane.

Because every position sits on a fixed grid, a new layout can be planned on paper before anything is moved, then built in the tray and changed again whenever your Kardex inventory profile changes.

Every part of the MDK system is sold individually, so you can add lanes, create more compartments or set up additional Kardex trays without buying a full kit.

Kardex tray sizes vary by model and age, so a quick measurement before ordering ensures the frame fits the first time.

1. Measure the internal width and depth of the tray at its base, inside any lips or flanges.
2. Compare your measurements with the frame's external size: 59.2 x 31.7 in for the MDK15-150X80 and 70.9971 x 33.6 in for the MDK15-180X85. Your tray's internal dimensions need to be equal to or larger than these figures.
3. Allow for the 5.91 in divider height when planning tray spacing in your Kardex, as the tray will be stored according to its tallest contents.
4. Add the weight of the divider system to the weight of your inventory and confirm the total is within the tray's rated load. Component weights are listed in the table above.

If you are unsure which kit suits your Kardex, contact our team with your machine model and tray dimensions and we will help you choose.

MDK dividers suit any Kardex installation where small and medium parts need fixed, clearly defined locations. Typical applications include:

• Maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) spare parts
• Engineering and production components
• Tooling, fasteners and consumables
• Kitting and line-side supply for assembly
• Service parts and aftermarket inventory
• Workshop and facilities storerooms
• Warehouse and distribution  inventory for order fulfillment

Kardex users generally choose between three approaches to tray organization. Plastic box systems divide the tray into individual bins, which suits very small parts and visual inventory checks. Coated hardboard and fiberboard dividers are lightweight and economical. Steel divider systems such as MDK give rigid, durable walls that stand up to frequent reconfiguration and busy picking, which makes them well suited to heavier components and long-term use. Steel does weigh more than plastic or hardboard, but an MDK frame weighs 11.23 lb for the 59.06 x 31.50 in tray or 12.99 lb for the 70.87 x 33.46 in tray, and each long divider less than 2.2 lb, which is a small share of a typical Kardex tray's rated load.

The right choice depends on the weight and size of your inventory, how often your layout changes and the rated load of your Kardex trays. Our team can advise if you are weighing your options.

Penn Elcom is a global manufacturer of professional hardware and 19-inch racks. The company started in 1974 with a single manual press in Penn, Buckinghamshire, England, and now has more than 50 years of experience designing and manufacturing products for specialist industries. The MDK range applies that metalworking experience to the organization of automated storage, with in-house design and custom manufacturing available alongside the standard range.

Kardex tray dividers are inserts that split the open trays of a Kardex vertical lift module into separate compartments, so each part has a fixed location. The Penn Elcom MDK system is a modular steel divider set made up of a frame, long dividers and cross dividers, which can be rearranged whenever your inventory changes.

MDK kits are designed for Kardex VLM trays with 59.06 x 31.50 in and 70.87 x 33.46 in nominal footprints. Because tray dimensions vary between Kardex models and generations, check your tray's internal size against the frame's external size before ordering, or contact our team with your machine model.

Measure the internal width and depth of your tray. The MDK15-150X80 frame has an external size of 59.2" x 31.7" and the MDK15-180X85 frame measures 71" x 33.6". Choose the kit whose frame fits within your tray's internal dimensions.

Yes. MDK is designed for Kardex VLMs, but it can be used in any vertical lift module or storage carousel whose trays have suitable internal dimensions and enough height clearance for the 5.91" frame.

Long dividers set lanes across the tray in 2.0" increments, and each lane takes up to three cross dividers, creating up to four compartments from front to back. The total number of compartments depends on how wide you make each lane and how many dividers you fit. Additional long and cross dividers can be bought separately to increase it.

Lift the cross dividers out of their slots, move the long dividers to new positions on the frame's 2.0" grid, then refit cross dividers in the lengths that match your new lane widths.

Yes. All MDK components ship flat. The frame is supplied as two side bars, two end bars and fasteners, and the long and cross dividers then locate into the frame and into each other.

Frames, long dividers and cross dividers are all made from 0.028" steel.

MDK frames have a 5.91" wall height, and the long and cross dividers are 5.83" high.

Yes. Every component in the kits is also sold separately, including frames for each tray size, 30.83" and 32.80" long dividers, and cross dividers from 2.0" to 19.69" in 2.0" steps.

MDK frames weigh 11.23 lb for 59.06 x 31.50 in trays and 12.99 lb for 70.87 x 33.46 in trays. Long dividers weigh 1.71 lb for the 30.83 in length and 1.82 lb for the 32.80 in length, and cross dividers range from 0.10 lb for the 2.0 in length to 1.05 lb for the 19.69 in length. A complete MDK15-150X80 kit weighs 37.46 lb and a complete MDK15-180X85 kit weighs 40.08 lb.

The weight of the divider system counts toward the tray's rated load in the same way as the inventory it holds. A full MDK kit weighs up to 40.08 lb, so check the combined weight of the dividers and your inventory against the load rating for your Kardex model.

Kardex VLMs store each tray according to the height of its contents, so a tray fitted with MDK dividers will need a storage space of at least 5.91". Taking this into account when planning which trays to fit makes the best use of your machine's capacity.

No. MDK tray dividers are designed and supplied by Penn Elcom for use with Kardex vertical lift modules. Penn Elcom is not affiliated with Kardex, and the Kardex name is used only to describe compatibility.

If your tray size is not listed, contact our team with your machine model and tray dimensions. Penn Elcom also offers a custom manufacturing service, and we can advise on the options for non-standard trays.

MDK kits and individual components can be ordered online at penn-elcom.com/us, with shipping across the US. Contact our sales team for help planning a layout across multiple Kardex trays or for larger orders.

Kardex is a registered trademark of its respective owner. Penn Elcom is not affiliated with or endorsed by Kardex. Brand names are used only to describe product compatibility.