Material Handling Equipment, Importance, Objective, Principles

Material handling equipment (MHE) refers to a diverse range of tools, vehicles, and machines used to move, store, protect, and control materials and products throughout the manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, and logistics industries. MHE is an essential part of modern supply chains and plays a critical role in improving productivity, reducing labor costs, and enhancing safety and efficiency in material handling operations.

There are various types of material handling equipment available, each designed for specific tasks and applications.

Some common types of MHE include:

• Conveyors: Conveyors are machines that move materials from one place to another using a series of belts, chains, or rollers. They are commonly used in manufacturing and distribution facilities to move products along an assembly line or to transport items between different stages of the production process.
• Forklifts: Forklifts are motorized vehicles with a lifting platform or forks used to move heavy loads. They are widely used in warehouses, distribution centers, and construction sites to lift and transport materials over short distances.
• Cranes: Cranes are machines that use cables, ropes, or chains to lift and move heavy loads vertically or horizontally. They are often used in construction sites, shipping yards, and manufacturing facilities to move large and heavy materials.
• Pallet jacks: Pallet jacks are hand-operated machines used to move pallets of materials or products. They are commonly used in warehouses and distribution centers to move goods around the facility.
• Automated guided vehicles (AGVs): AGVs are self-guided vehicles that can transport materials and products without human intervention. They are widely used in manufacturing and warehousing facilities to move goods between different locations.
• Storage equipment: Storage equipment includes shelves, racks, and bins used to store and organize materials and products. They are often used in warehouses and distribution centers to maximize storage space and improve inventory management.

In addition to these types of equipment, there are also specialized MHE such as drum handling equipment, hoists, and lifts that are designed for specific tasks and applications.

Material Handling Equipment Importance

• Improved Productivity: MHE can help businesses to move materials and products quickly and efficiently, which can result in increased productivity. By using conveyors, forklifts, and other equipment, workers can move materials around a facility with less effort and in less time than they could using manual labor.
• Reduced Labor Costs: By using MHE, businesses can reduce the amount of labor required for material handling tasks, which can result in cost savings. For example, using forklifts or pallet jacks to move heavy loads can reduce the need for manual labor, and using conveyors to transport materials can eliminate the need for workers to carry items by hand.
• Enhanced Safety: MHE can help to reduce the risk of injury in material handling operations. By using equipment such as pallet jacks, forklifts, and cranes, workers can avoid manual lifting and carrying, which can reduce the risk of back injuries and other musculoskeletal disorders. Additionally, using automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and other equipment can help to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries caused by human error.
• Improved Inventory Control: MHE can help businesses to manage their inventory more efficiently. By using storage equipment such as shelves, racks, and bins, businesses can store materials and products in a more organized and accessible manner. This can help to reduce the risk of lost or damaged items and make it easier to keep track of inventory levels.
• Increased Efficiency: MHE can help businesses to improve the efficiency of their material handling operations. By using equipment such as conveyors and AGVs, businesses can move materials and products more quickly and with less effort than they could using manual labor. This can result in faster turnaround times, shorter lead times, and more efficient use of resources.
• Flexibility: MHE can be used in a wide variety of material handling applications, and can be customized to suit the specific needs of a business. For example, businesses can choose from a range of forklifts, conveyors, and storage equipment to meet their specific requirements.

Material Handling Equipment Objectives

• Maximize Productivity: The use of MHE can help businesses to move materials and products quickly and efficiently, which can result in increased productivity. By selecting the appropriate MHE for each task, businesses can optimize their material handling processes and improve their overall efficiency.
• Reduce Costs: MHE can help businesses to reduce the costs associated with material handling operations. By using equipment such as forklifts, conveyors, and pallet jacks, businesses can reduce the amount of manual labor required to move materials, which can result in cost savings.
• Ensure Safety: One of the primary objectives of using MHE is to ensure the safety of workers and materials. By using equipment such as cranes, hoists, and lifts, workers can avoid manual lifting and carrying, which can reduce the risk of back injuries and other musculoskeletal disorders. Additionally, using automated equipment such as AGVs can help to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries caused by human error.
• Improve Inventory Control: MHE can help businesses to manage their inventory more efficiently. By using storage equipment such as shelves, racks, and bins, businesses can store materials and products in a more organized and accessible manner. This can help to reduce the risk of lost or damaged items and make it easier to keep track of inventory levels.
• Enhance Customer Service: MHE can help businesses to enhance their customer service by improving their ability to handle materials and products quickly and efficiently. By using equipment such as conveyors, businesses can reduce lead times and provide faster turnaround times for their customers.
• Increase Flexibility: MHE can provide businesses with greater flexibility in their material handling operations. By using equipment that can be customized and adapted to different tasks and applications, businesses can respond quickly to changing customer needs and market conditions.

Material Handling Equipment Principles

• Planning: The first principle of MHE is planning. Before selecting and using MHE, businesses must identify their specific material handling needs and develop a plan for how to address them. This includes considering factors such as the size and weight of the materials to be handled, the frequency and volume of the material flow, the layout of the facility, and the available resources.
• Safety: Safety is a critical principle of MHE. Businesses must ensure that the equipment they use is safe for workers to operate and that workers receive proper training and supervision. MHE must also be maintained and inspected regularly to ensure that it is in good working condition and meets safety standards.
• Efficiency: MHE should be selected and used to maximize efficiency. This includes considering factors such as the speed of operation, the capacity of the equipment, and the cost of operation. Businesses should also consider the environmental impact of their material handling operations and strive to minimize waste and energy consumption.
• Flexibility: MHE should be selected and used with flexibility in mind. Businesses must consider the variety of materials and products they handle and select equipment that can be adapted to different tasks and applications. Additionally, businesses should strive to choose MHE that can be easily modified or replaced as their material handling needs change over time.
• Integration: MHE should be integrated into the overall material handling system. This includes considering how the equipment will work with other systems, such as transportation and storage, to ensure a smooth flow of materials and products throughout the supply chain.
• Automation: Finally, automation is an important principle of MHE. By automating material handling tasks, businesses can reduce the need for manual labor, increase efficiency, and improve safety. Automation can be achieved through the use of automated guided vehicles (AGVs), conveyor systems, and other types of equipment.