By Arun Mishra

Materials

handling definition Objectives of materials handling Materials handling principles. Materials handling cost. Factors affecting the selection of Materials Handling Equipment. Selection and Design of Handling System. Types of Materials Handling Systems. Types of Materials Handling Equipment.

Materials handling is the art and science of moving, packing and storing of substances in any form. This includes;
Creation of time and place utility. Movement and storage of materials through the use of proper methods and equipments. Lifting, shifting & placing of material which effect saving in money, time & place. Art & Science of conveying, elevating, positioning, transporting, packaging & storing of materials.
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Lower unit materials handling cost Reduction in manufacturing cycle time Better control of the flow of materials Better working conditions Better quality Enhanced storage capacity Higher productivity

Materials should move through the facility in direct flow patterns, minimizing Zigzagging or backtracking. Related production processes should be arranged to provide for direct material flows. Mechanized materials handling devices should be designed and located so that human effort is minimized. Heavy and bulk materials should be moved to the shortest distance during processing. The number of times each material is handled should be minimized. Systems flexibility should allow for unexpected breakdowns of materials handling equipments, changes in production system technology etc. Mobile equipments should carry full loads all the times.
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Materials handling costs include cost of owning and maintaining equipment and cost of operating the system. Efforts should be made to reduce material handling costs as they do not add value to a product. Three fundamental ways of minimizing the costs:
Eliminating the handling itself whenever & wherever possible. Mechanising, largely by conveyors & power driven trucks, whatever handling still remains. Making the necessary handling more efficient.
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1.

Production problem

Volume of production to be attained. Class of materials to be handled. The layout of plant and building facilities.

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Capabilities of the handling equipment available

Adaptability, Flexibility, Load capacity, Power, Speed, Space requirements, Supervision required, Ease of maintenance, Environment, cost The capabilities of available manpower to operate the equipment. Safety of personnel.
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3.

Human element involved

 Selection

and design of the materials handling system should be done along with the development of the layout, as each one affects the other. Steps to be followed;

Identification of appropriate systems. Review of design criteria and objectives of the handling system. Collection of data regarding flow patter and flow requirements. Identification of activity relationships between departments.
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Determination of space requirement and establishment of material flow pattern. Analysis of material and building characteristics. Preliminary selection of basic handling system & generation of alternative systems considering feasibility. Evaluation of alternatives with respect to optimal material flow, utilizing gravity, minimum cost, flexibility, ease of maintenance, & capacity utilization. Selection of best suitable alternative system and checking it for compatibility with the layout. Specification of the system. Procurement of the equipment and installation of the system.

Equipment oriented systems

Overhead systems Conveyor systems Tractor-transfer systems Fork-lift truck & pallet truck systems Industrial truck systems Underground systems.

Material oriented systems

Unit handling systems. Bulk handling systems. Liquid handling systems.

Methods oriented systems

Manual systems Mechanised/ automated systems. Job-shop handling systems Mass-production handling systems

Functions oriented systems

Transportation systems Conveying systems Transferring systems Elevating systems

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1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Conveyors Cranes, Elevators and Hoists Industrial Trucks Auxiliary Equipments Miscellaneous Handling Equipments

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 Gravity

or power devices, used for moving loads from point to point over fixed paths. Various types are:

Belt conveyor Chain conveyor Roller conveyor Pneumatic conveyor

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 Overhead

devices used for moving varying loads between points within an area, fixed by supporting & binding rails.

Cranes: are devices mounted on overhead rails or ground level wheels or rails. Elevators: type of cranes that lift materials usually between floors of buildings. Hoists: devices which move materials vertically & horizontally in a limited areas.

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 Used

for moving mixed or uniform loads over variable paths. They are electric, diesel, gasoline or liquefied petroleum, gas powered vehicles. Examples are;

Fork-lift trucks Pallet trucks Tractor with trailors Hand trucks & power trolleys.

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 These

are devices or attachments used with handling equipment to make their use more effective & versatile. Examples are;

Ramps Positioners Pallets Containers Turn tables

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Pipe lines: closed tubes that transport liquids by means of pumps or gravity. Automatic transfer devices: automatically grasp materials, hold them firmly while operations are being performed & move them to other locations. Automated guided vehicle (AGV): do not require operators, controlled by signals sent through wires, remote control computer controls the movement of AGV. Industrial robots: moveable arm-like projection with a gripper on the end, performs variety of tasks.

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