INTRODUCTION Handling materials is a key part of the manufacturing process of everything from bread to rocket ships. Materials handling relates to the movement, protection, storage and control of raw materials, products and goods. This applies during preparation, cleaning, assembling and consumption, as well as during refuse operations of spent materials. Examples of equipment used in this aspect of making things include storage, engineering and transport. Involved in transport are conveyors, on-rails transfer carts, cantilevered crane loading platforms and the ubiquitous forklift.
HANDLING AND STORAGE EQUIPMENT This includes carts, shelving, metal cages, racking and pallets. This category of equipment is called "catalog" items because they have internationally recognized standards and can be ordered right out of the catalog. Pallets and wire cages are pretty much the size and shape and made from the same material all the world over.
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 The most common type of industrial truck is the powered industrial truck, or forklift. There are dozens of different kinds of forklifts. Tow tractors and stock chasers are other types of industrial truck. Each of these conveyances may be equipped with a wide variety of different attachments, making them extremely versatile.
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 Safety is everything in manufacturing. One of the blackest areas in manufacturing in terms of safety is the forklift. Hundreds of lives are needlessly lost each year and tens of thousands of injuries are suffered in accidents that could mostly be eradicated by proper training. OSHA comes down hard on employers who allow untrained and uncertified forklift operators to work in their premises.
HANDLING AND STORAGE EQUIPMENT This includes carts, shelving, metal cages, racking and pallets. This category of equipment is called "catalog" items because they have internationally recognized standards and can be ordered right out of the catalog. Pallets and wire cages are pretty much the size and shape and made from the same material all the world over.
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 The most common type of industrial truck is the powered industrial truck, or forklift. There are dozens of different kinds of forklifts. Tow tractors and stock chasers are other types of industrial truck. Each of these conveyances may be equipped with a wide variety of different attachments, making them extremely versatile.
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 Safety is everything in manufacturing. One of the blackest areas in manufacturing in terms of safety is the forklift. Hundreds of lives are needlessly lost each year and tens of thousands of injuries are suffered in accidents that could mostly be eradicated by proper training. OSHA comes down hard on employers who allow untrained and uncertified forklift operators to work in their premises.
About the Author:
Genevive B. Mata 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 pallet supplier then he recommends you visit his friends at PTM: Custom Plastics Injection Molding Company.
