4 Types of Materials Handling Equipment You Need to Know About
What is materials handling equipment? Material handling refers to the loading, unloading and movement of goods, such as within a factory or warehouse. So any equipment that helps to unload, load up, stack or move about an item is considered to be materials handling equipment. But it is a very broad term, incorporating everything from basic forklifts to complex automated systems. To get a handle on what materials handling equipment involves, this article will outline four of the most common types of materials handling equipment in place today. Read on to learn more.
Storage and Handling Equipment
Storage equipment is the least high-tech of the available kinds of materials handling equipment, used to store materials when they’re stationery in a warehouse. This may occur as a temporary moment as part of a longer-term shifting of materials or it may involve building up levels of stock in the one place. Basic storage materials handling equipment can include items such as pallets, shelves or racks. These devices are used to keep materials in a tidy and logical manner before they’re eventually shipped out to another location. Some companies have designed their own IP packaging that helps to make the best use of space in a warehouse. Here are some examples of storage and handling equipment:
- Racks, including pallet racks
- Stacking frames
- Shelves, bins and drawers
- Mezzanines
- Work assist tooling
Engineered Systems
Engineered systems allow for storage and transportation, and are usually automated. One example of this type of materials handling equipment is the Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS). This is a big ecosystem of organisation which makes use of racks, aisles and shelves with a shuttle that allows these areas to be accessed. The shuttle is an automated cherry picker that can be used manually or via an automated control to locate and pick up a product efficiently. Examples of engineered systems – as subset of materials handling equipment – include:
- Conveyor systems
- Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGV)
Industrial Material Handling Trucks
Materials handling equipment can involve industrial trucks, otherwise known as material handling trucks. These are vehicles and other devices used to shift materials and products in the process of materials handling. These vehicles might include such things as hand-operated trucks, pallet jacksand forklifts. Some trucks are forked, some have a flat surface, andother vehicles need a disparate part of equipment to load items. Industrial trucks can be manual, powered lift, or walk or ride. This means that the operator can either ride on the truck or walk beside it. Some materials handling equipment is used to stack items, while others are used less for loading and more for transport. Some examples of industrial material handling trucks include:
- Hand trucks
- Pallet trucks
- Walkie stackers
- Platform trucks
- Order pickers
- Sideloaders
Bulk Materials Handling Equipment
Bulk materials handling equipment refers to equipment used totransport and store loose bulk products such as food and liquids. Bulk materials handling equipment is therefore designed to interact with material while it’s loose. Examples include:
- Conveyors
- Stackers
- Reclaimers
- Bucket elevators
- Grain elevators
- Hoppers
- Silos
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