Material handling is a critical component of any logistics or manufacturing project. There are numerous industrial packaging solutions available; however, the majority of physical commerce items are transported using tuggers, trains, and carts. This blog will look at the role of various material handling equipment and how to implement efficient material handling solutions, including their types, fundamentals, and designs.
What exactly is material handling?
For many large corporations, effective material handling is at the heart of all operations. Transporting materials, work in progress, and finished goods from one area of the facility to another is critical to the safety and success of their operations. Furthermore, the material handling process includes material movement, protection, storage, and control.
This procedure is used in the following industries:
Ensuring safety in workplaces where material transportation occurs is also becoming increasingly important in most industries. Material handling processes that are efficient can significantly reduce accidents.
What are the different kinds of material handling?
There are two types of material handling that operators and business owners should be aware of.
And here are some examples:
1. Manual material handling
Workers use their hands to move individual containers in manual material handling. When transporting containers, they lift, lower, fill, empty, or carry them. However, this can be dangerous for workers because it exposes them to potentially hazardous physical activities.
Sprains and strains in the lower back, upper limbs, and shoulders are common among workers. Fortunately, ergonomic developments have been made to reduce the risks associated with manual container handling.
As a result, manual material handling carts are handling solutions that are operated and moved by hand. These carts are typically outfitted with wheels and handlebars for movement and steering. They are the most common carts and can be found in any industry.
2. Automated material handling
When economically and technically feasible, equipment is used to reduce or replace manual material handling. Indeed, many of today’s material handling machines are semi-automated due to human operator needs such as driving, unloading, or loading containers, which are difficult and costly to automate. With ongoing advancements in machine programming, sensing, and robotics, there is a push to completely automate material handling.
What are the fundamentals of material handling?
It is critical to understand the principles involved in material handling processes.They are as follows:
Orientation
Prior to preliminary planning, this principle encourages assessing any available system relationships. It may include an assessment of the problems and existing industrial packaging solutions.
Planning
Planning should include the fundamental requirements, contingency planning, and other desirable alternatives. A collaborative approach involving consultants, suppliers, and users is required for successful planning.
Systems
This principle should incorporate cost-effective storage and handling activities into the system. The entire supply chain, including suppliers, distributors, manufacturers, and customers, should be addressed by system integration.
Unit load
A unit load is a load you can store or move as a single entity, such as a container, tote, or pallet. It is a single load, regardless of the individual items that make it up.
Space utilization
This principle encourages the efficient use of available space. It is a three-step process that involves eliminating unorganized and cluttered areas, balancing the aim of maximizing storage density and accessibility, and finally considering overhead space while moving goods.
Standardization
This principle encourages the standardization of handling methods to improve equipment performance. Material handling techniques, controls, equipment, and software should be standardized with the aim of achieving overall performance objectives.
Ergonomics
This seeks to adapt work and working conditions to a worker’s abilities. Material handling tasks and design must recognise human capabilities and limitations to ensure effective and safe operations. The equipment should eliminate strenuous and repetitive processes, which are the major causes of strains and sprains.
Ecology
Effective material handling should be environmentally conscious. It should aim at reducing natural resource waste and eliminating any adverse effects on the environment. Energy consumption and environmental impact should be key considerations when designing a material handling system.
Mechanization
This is to encourage efficiency in handling materials. Material handling should focus on automation using computer-based systems and electro-mechanical devices to control and operate material flow.
Simplification
Simplified processes are better than complex methods as they remove unnecessary movements. Such techniques reduce, eliminate, shorten, or combine unnecessary procedures to minimize work.
Types of Material Handling Equipment and Their Applications
Many businesses that need to handle and store bulk materials rely on material handling equipment and systems. Material handling equipment, in general, refers to equipment designed to move, control, protect, or store material at warehouses and facilities through various processes. You can better equip your facility with the right equipment and systems for your company’s needs if you know more about material handling equipment.
Learn more about the various types of material handling equipment and how they can be used in different industries.
1. Material Handling Equipment in Bulk
Bulk material handling equipment includes machinery for transporting, storing, and controlling bulk materials. Bulk handling material equipment is typically designed to move and store loose materials. These pieces of machinery can be found handling food, liquids, metals, and minerals.
If you want to understand what bulk material equipment is, consider the following examples:
- Hoppers and Reclaimers
- Stackers and conveyor belts
- Grain elevators and buckets
2. Systems Engineered
Engineered systems, also known as automated systems, are automated bulk material handling equipment used to transport and store materials.
Typically, automated systems consist of several pieces of equipment.
They’re extremely popular because they eliminate the need for manual labour to complete various tasks. Here are some of the most common types of engineered systems:
3. Heavy-Duty Trucks
Industrial trucks cover a wide range of equipment and are all intended to aid in material transportation. These industrial trucks can range in size from small, hand-operated machines to large, driveable machines.
In general, industrial trucks are classified into two types: non-stacking trucks and stacking trucks. Non-stacking trucks are only intended for transportation, whereas stacking trucks can load and stack materials.
Here are some of the most common types of industrial trucks:
4. Storage and Handling Equipment
Storage and handling equipment aids in the safe storage and organization of materials while they await another stage in the manufacturing or distribution process. Depending on the needs of the company, this storage equipment may be used to hold materials for short or long periods of time. Storage and handling equipment is typically stationary and not automated, but it is frequently used in conjunction with automated systems and equipment.
The following are some of the most common types of storage and handling equipment:
- Drawers
- Containers
- Shelves
- Racks
- Mezzanines
- Stacking frames
Material handling equipment has a variety of applications
Many companies in various industries use material handling equipment because of the wide range of machinery and equipment it covers. Here are some examples of how material handling equipment is used in various industries:
Why Is Material Handling Equipment Important For Your Business?
Material handling equipment can greatly benefit companies in diverse industries. Many companies enjoy how material handling systems and equipment improve their workplace’s efficiency and safety. Additionally, material handling equipment can reduce waste, lower costs and optimize a facility’s space. Here are some of the most significant benefits of using material handling equipment:
- Greater efficiency
- Reduced waste
- Lower costs
How to Choose the Best Material Handling Equipment for Your Needs
With all of the advantages of using bulk material handling equipment, you may be interested in purchasing some for your facility. Learn more about the main factors to consider when deciding on the best equipment for your needs:
- Type of material
- Production flow Facility layout
- Types of operations
- Expense
- Factors of structure
- Reliability
Automation is the future
The ongoing transition to a smarter work or manufacturing environment is also dependent on proper material handling. Again, using semi-automated or fully automated systems is the way to go here. The advantages of this material handling solution include decreased downtime and faster just-in-time delivery and production. When materials are handled properly, the number of lost or damaged materials is reduced. Furthermore, methodical and efficient material handling promotes a cleaner work environment.
Some may consider automated equipment to be a risky investment, but with proper management, it can be more beneficial than other tools and machines used by industries today.
Ficus Pax is the place to go for all your industrial packaging solutions.
If you have any questions for us, please contact us to speak with one of our knowledgeable representatives. Contact us, tell us about your needs, and our team will assist you in finding the best solution for your facility.
