INTRODUCTION Material handling is a manufacturing term relating to moving, storing, protecting and controlling of raw materials, goods and products. Material is handled as it is cleaned, prepared, manufactured and consumed while refuse is disposed. The types of equipment used in the materials handling process includes systems for storage and engineering. It also includes industrial trucks, conveyors, on-rails transfer carts and cantilevered crane loading platforms.
STORAGE AND HANDLING EQUIPMENT This topic generally refers to non-automated apparatus and includes things like pallets, racking, shelving, carts, cages, etc. Interestingly, these items are collectively referred to as catalog items because they have universally accepted standards and are sold as stock materials out of catalogs. For example, pallets are a widely used commodity with basically the same size and shape all over the world.
PALLETS Practically any manufactured item you could mention, from cupcakes to casks of beer, from telephones to toilet paper, spends at least part of its life cycle strapped to a pallet. Mostly, these are made of wood, although there are also requirements for pallets made of steel or other materials.
ENGINEERED SYSTEMS These are the opposite of catalog products in that engineered systems are custom-designed for the purpose in mind. Engineered systems are things like robots, conveyors and AS/RS (automated storage and retrieval systems). Of particular interest are systems that are going to be used to handle products that are going to be eaten or consumed as beverages. Special care has to be taken to make sure that the goods that come into contact with the equipment do not become contaminated in any way.
INDUSTRIAL TRUCKS This includes vehicles like stock chasers, tow tractors and the ever-familiar forklift. There are dozens and dozens of different types of forklift, also referred to as powered industrial trucks. They differ in how they are powered (gas vs electricity), in the type of wheels they have (solid or inflatable), whether they are used indoors or outdoors, and the types of terrain and environment in which they are used. All industrial trucks may be fitted with a variety of different attachments, making them incredibly versatile pieces of equipment.
ON-RAIL TRANSFER CARTS These are used to carry bulk materials in the heavier industries. They are used in the mining industry, in heavy manufacturing and in metallurgy.
SAFETY It's all about safety in the manufacturing environment. A disturbing number of employees are injured and killed needlessly each year, especially when forklifts are concerned. OSHA is working constantly to put pressure on employers to maintain safe environments and make sure all of their employees are correctly trained.
STORAGE AND HANDLING EQUIPMENT This topic generally refers to non-automated apparatus and includes things like pallets, racking, shelving, carts, cages, etc. Interestingly, these items are collectively referred to as catalog items because they have universally accepted standards and are sold as stock materials out of catalogs. For example, pallets are a widely used commodity with basically the same size and shape all over the world.
PALLETS Practically any manufactured item you could mention, from cupcakes to casks of beer, from telephones to toilet paper, spends at least part of its life cycle strapped to a pallet. Mostly, these are made of wood, although there are also requirements for pallets made of steel or other materials.
ENGINEERED SYSTEMS These are the opposite of catalog products in that engineered systems are custom-designed for the purpose in mind. Engineered systems are things like robots, conveyors and AS/RS (automated storage and retrieval systems). Of particular interest are systems that are going to be used to handle products that are going to be eaten or consumed as beverages. Special care has to be taken to make sure that the goods that come into contact with the equipment do not become contaminated in any way.
INDUSTRIAL TRUCKS This includes vehicles like stock chasers, tow tractors and the ever-familiar forklift. There are dozens and dozens of different types of forklift, also referred to as powered industrial trucks. They differ in how they are powered (gas vs electricity), in the type of wheels they have (solid or inflatable), whether they are used indoors or outdoors, and the types of terrain and environment in which they are used. All industrial trucks may be fitted with a variety of different attachments, making them incredibly versatile pieces of equipment.
ON-RAIL TRANSFER CARTS These are used to carry bulk materials in the heavier industries. They are used in the mining industry, in heavy manufacturing and in metallurgy.
SAFETY It's all about safety in the manufacturing environment. A disturbing number of employees are injured and killed needlessly each year, especially when forklifts are concerned. OSHA is working constantly to put pressure on employers to maintain safe environments and make sure all of their employees are correctly trained.
About the Author:
Henry A. Parker has taught plastics molding techniques for over 15 years. He specializes in injection molding and thermoforming. If you are interested in learning more about plastic injection moulding services then he recommends you visit his friends at PTM: Custom Plastics Injection Molding Company.
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