Balagosa, Arvin R.

TQM
BSE-2E Ms. Capila

ASSESSMENT TASK 4
1. Define material handling.
 There is no hard and fast definition of materials handling, however attempts have
been made to define this term. Materials handling is the science and art both
involving the moving, packing and storing of substance in any form, and includes
the preparation, placing and positioning the material to facilitate their movement
or storage.
2. Explain the objectives of material handling.
 Reduction in Cost: Reduction in total cost of production can be achieved by
either reducing materials handling or by improved handling procedure or both.
A. Reducing material handling labour.
B. Material handling work should not be assigned to skilled or semi-skilled labour.
C. Reducing indirect labour expenses on activities connected with storage,
inspection, quality control, repair, tool room, shipping etc.
D. Reducing damage of materials during handling.
E. Better utilisation of space.
F. Reducing in process storage.
G. Increasing productivity.
H. Reducing expenditure on packaging and other protective devices.
I. Decreasing inventory.
 Increase in Capacity: Improved materials handling system results in increase of
capacity by better utilisation of space.
A. By better utilisation of space: Racks or containers that stacks item upon each
other making full use of air space should be preferred. From this point of view use of
overhead cranes, conveyors, lift trucks etc., are very suitable.
B. By reducing travel space or excessive wastage of space: For this purpose a study
of flow of materials between operations should be done considering the flow paths,
volume of material, timing etc. This study may help in reducing travel time and space
requirements.
 C. By improving equipment utilisation: This can be achieved by ensuring regular
supply and distribution of material. This will reduce the idling of machine.
D. By faster loading or unloading: This can be achieved by employing conveyor
system, cranes, loaders, rail road cars, tipping trucks etc.
 Improvement in Working Conditions:
A. Safety aspects: Safety of men, material and associated equipment not only
prevents loss of money but also enhances the moral of workers.
B. Easy working: By using proper handling equipment heavy jobs can be handled
with ease, faster speed and at a constant rate throughout the period of production.
This enables high morale and lower workers turnover.
C. Foolproof operation: Due to absence of manual handling, there are no chances of
confusion resulting in placing of material at wrong location or disruption of
production.
 Improved Customer Service: Customer’s service will be improved by following
proper and improved materials handling system which will enable regular and
timely market supply by avoiding disruption in production schedule. These are
the main sources of good customer service.

3. Explain the principles of material handling.

 Since it is not possible to acquire experience by a materials handling engineer
himself on all types of problems, he has to take advantage of others’ experience.
On the basis of-experience gained by himself and also by others he should try to
solve the handling problems. On the basis of these experiences facts, systematic
approach and other ideas, certain principles have been developed. These
principles have been implemented, practiced and perfected during several years.
These principles of material handling are useful in all the fields may it be
engineering, office or elsewhere.The word ‘principle’ can be defined as a
prescribed guide to accepted procedures established through past practice and
is accepted as authoritative by practitioners, and without which a system would
be less effective. Therefore, when these principles of materials handling are
applied by materials handling engineer, even if he is not much experienced, he
can find correct solution faster.
4. Discuss the factors to be considered while selecting material handling equipment.
 PROPERTIES OF THE MATERIAL- Whether it is solid, liquid or gas, and in what
size, shape and weight it is to be moved, are important considerations and can
already lead to a preliminary elimination from the range of available equipment
 under review. Similarly, if the material is fragile, corrosive or toxic this will imply
that certain handling methods and containers will be preferable to others.
 LAYOUT AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BUILDING- Another restricting
factor is the availability of space for handling. A low-level ceiling may preclude
the use of hoists or cranes, and the presence of supporting columns in awkward
places can limit the size of the material-handling equipment. If the building is
multi-storied, chutes or ramps for industrial trucks may be used. The layout itself
will indicate the type of production operation (continuous, intermittent, fixed
position or group) and can indicate some items of equipment that will be more
suitable than others. Floor capacity also helps in selecting the best material
handling equipment.
 PRODUCTION FLOW- If the flow is fairly constant between two fixed positions
that are not likely to change, fixed equipment such as conveyors or chutes can
be successfully used. If, on the other hand, the flow is not constant and the
direction changes occasionally from one point to another because several
products are being produced simultaneously, moving equipment such as trucks
would be preferable.
 COST CONSIDERATIONS- This is one of the most important considerations.
The above factors can help to narrow the range of suitable equipment, while
costing can help in making a final decision. Several cost elements need to be
taken into consideration when comparisons are made between various items of
equipment that are all capable of handling the same load. Initial investment and
operating and maintenance costs are the major cost to be considered. By
calculating and comparing the total cost for each of the items of equipment under
consideration, a more rational decision can be reached on the most appropriate
choice.
 NATURE OF OPERATIONS- The selection of equipment also depends on the
nature of operations like whether handling is temporary or permanent, whether
the flow is continuous or intermittent and material flow pattern-vertical or
horizontal.
 ENGINEERING FACTORS- The selection of equipment also depends on
engineering factors like door and ceiling dimensions, floor space, floor conditions,
and structural strength.
 EQUIPMENT RELIABILITY- The reliability of the equipment and supplier
reputation and the after-sale service also plays an important role in selecting
material handling equipment.
5. Discuss the guidelines for effective utilization of material handling equipments.
 As material handling adds no value but increases the production cycle time,
eliminate handling wherever possible. Ideally there should not be any handling at
all!
 Sequence the operations in logical manner so that handling is unidirectional and
smooth.
  Use gravity wherever possible as it results in conservation of power and fuel.
 Standardise the handling equipments to the extent possible as it means
interchangeable usage, better utilisation of handling equipments, and lesser
spares holding.
 Install a regular preventive maintenance programme for material handling
equipments so that downtime is minimum.
 In selection of handling equipments, criteria of versatility and adaptability must be
the governing factor. This will ensure that investments in special purpose
handling equipments are kept at a minimum.
 Weight of unit load must be maximum so that each ‘handling trip’ is productive.
 Work study aspects, such a elimination of unnecessary movements and
combination of processes should be considered while installing a material
handling system.
 Non-productive operations in handling, such as slinging, loading, etc., should be
kept at a minimum through appropriate design of handling equipment. Magnetic
cranes for scrap movement and loading in furnaces combination of excavators
and tippers for ores loading and unloading in mines are examples in this respect.
 Location of stores should be as close as possible to the plant which uses the
materials. This avoids handling and minimizing investment in material handling
system.
 Application of OR techniques such as queueing can be very effective in optimal
utilization of materials handling equipments.
 A very important aspect in the design of a material handling system is the safety
aspect. The system designed should be simple and safe to operate.
 Avoid any wasteful movements-method study can be conducted for this purpose.
 Ensure proper coordination through judicious selection of equipments and
training of workmen.

Skill Development
For the same establishment reported in Modules 1, 2 and 3, discuss the following:
1. Material handling for their production and services.
 About the material handling in production and services of Mcdonald’s is so
modern that’s why Mcdonald’s is the world largest restaurant chain by revenue
and the production of their product is popular for all customer who love to eat and
the service of their employee is good and faster to serve their customer.
2. Type of material handling equipment for their production and services.
 According to my research they have 2 type of material handling equipment in
Mcdonald’s one is storage and handling material equipment to give space for
their foods and items that they use to serve their customer and the last is
 engineered system because of the build of their restaurant is modern and I think
is expensive material that they used to build.
3. Utilization of these material handling equipment.
 For their utilization the MCdonald’s the facilities, service, and their product is so
good and productive because this is the goal of their restaurant to satisfy and
give them smile in all of their customer.