Every country’s economic standing is affected by its manufacturing industry, which drives an explosive chain of technological improvements and the advancement of the commercial string. As such, the need to simplify operational capacities must be ensured.
One of the few things that provide operational traction to a manufacturing company is the use of materials handling equipment, which lessens workload processes. They are useful tools for moving, storing, protecting, and controlling products and materials moving in and out of the facility.
There are four categories to industrial material handling equipment ranging from bulk material handling, storage, industrial trucks, and engineered systems. Knowing what each of these categories possesses will help you determine what your company needs.
Understanding the Types of Industrial Material Handling Equipment
Every industry has a unique need based on what their products and services are. For example, a food canning and preserve company will require general-purpose trolleys or mobile lifters and repositioners for ready-to-transport goods. Knowing what each industrial materials handling equipment based on their functions will help you determine what your company needs.
- Storage and Handling Equipment. This type of material handling includes pallets, racks, and shelves used during production downtimes. A production downtime refers to moments of temporary pauses where products are held and materials buffered before being transported.
There are several types of storage and handling equipment, including stacking frames, racks, work assist tooling, shelves, drawers, and bins. Each of these materials has its functions and service. It’s worth knowing what type of storage and handling equipment is suitable for your production line as they can be costly investments.
- Handling Trucks. Handling trucks are ready pieces of equipment that allow your team to haul products from one end of your production line to the storage facility. This type of materials handling equipment includes hand-operated trucks, forklifts, and pallet jacks, among others.
Production-line trucks are either manual or power-lift operated, used for manually pushing materials or driving them along your manufacturing and storage floors. There are also several types of industrial handling trucks, including pallet trucks, order pickers, AGVs, and hand trucks.
- Engineered Systems. Engineered systems are automated components of your production line used to simplify operational processes. These tools are often mechanized for and include your company’s conveyor system and the Automated Guided Vehicles or AGV.
- Bulk Material Handling Equipment. This type of equipment often refers to the transportation, storage, and materials control of loose form items. They include minerals, food, or liquid, among others. The conveyors, bucket elevators, stackers, and reclaimers are some of the types of bulk material handling equipment.
Knowing What Your Production Line Needs
Determining what your company needs will save you from the outright costs of acquiring each material handling equipment. Looking for the right supplier also guarantees you get quality materials that provide you with the return-of-investment.
Consequently, the right tools will not only simplify workflow processes but also ensure the productivity of your first-line workers. A material handling equipment is a handy industrial material that helps drive performance and productivity. They are essential tools to provide agility to your workers and simplify their work processes.
Every material handling equipment has its use, and knowing which ones are suitable for your industry will help you save on the overall costs of such material.