Material Handling, Storage

Process, and Transportation

Optimizing Operations for Efficiency
MATERIAL HANDLING
Definition of Material Handling
 Material handling involves the movement, protection, storage,
and control of materials and products throughout the
manufacturing, distribution, consumption, and disposal
processes. Proper material handling is crucial to ensure the
safety of workers, prevent damage to materials, and increase
efficiency in the production process. Material handling
equipment can include forklifts, conveyor belts, cranes, and
automated systems. Training and safety protocols are essential
to prevent accidents and injuries during material handling.
 Types of Material Handling Equipment:
Conveyors
Forklifts
 Cranes
 AGVs
 Robotics
 Conveyor
 A conveyor is a material
handling equipment designed
to transport goods, products,
or raw materials from one
point to another within a
facility or between different
locations. It consists of a
continuous belt, roller, or
other moving surfaces that
facilitate the smooth and
efficient movement of items.
 Forklift
 A forklift is a versatile material
handling equipment designed for
lifting, transporting, and stacking
goods within warehouses,
manufacturing facilities, and
distribution centers.
 Crane
 Cranes are essential material
handling equipment designed
for lifting, moving, and
positioning heavy or bulky loads
in various industrial and
construction settings.
 AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles)
 Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)
play a crucial role in material
handling by providing automated
and efficient transportation of goods
within industrial environments.
 Robotics
 Robotics play a pivotal role in
material handling, providing
advanced automation and efficiency
in various industrial and logistics
applications. The roles of robotics in
material handling include:
Goals of Material
Handling
• Efficiency
• Safety
• Cost Reduction
 Importance in Various Industries

 Material handling is a critical component of various industries as it ensures the efficient and safe
movement of materials and products within a facility or between different locations. Here are some
of the key reasons why material handling is important in various industries:
• Efficiency: Proper material handling helps to increase efficiency in production and distribution
processes. It reduces the time and effort required to move materials, thereby increasing productivity.
• Safety: Material handling involves the use of specialized equipment and techniques to ensure the
safe movement of materials. This helps to prevent accidents and injuries to workers, as well as
damage to products and equipment.
• Cost reduction: Efficient material handling can help to reduce costs associated with production,
transportation, and storage. By optimizing the movement of materials, companies can minimize
waste, reduce labor costs, and improve overall efficiency.
• Quality control: Proper material handling helps to maintain the quality of products by reducing the
risk of damage during transportation and storage.
MATERIAL STORAGE
Definition
Storage refers to the physical or digital space designated for the safekeeping, retention, and organization of items, data, or
materials over a specific period. It involves the systematic arrangement of goods, information, or other resources in a
manner that allows for easy retrieval when needed. Storage can take various forms, including physical warehouses or
facilities for tangible items, and databases or digital repositories for electronic data. The primary purpose of storage is to
preserve and manage assets efficiently, ensuring accessibility and security while facilitating orderly management of
resources.
Types of Storage
 Warehousing
 Centralized Storage
 Inventory Management
 Racking Systems
 Pallet Racks
 Cantilever Racks
 Drive-in/Drive-thru Racks
 Shelving
 Boltless Shelving
 Bin Shelving
 Wire Shelving
Warehousing
Warehousing is an important component of
the supply chain and logistics industry. It
involves the storage of goods and products
in a warehouse, which is a facility
specifically designed for this purpose.
 Racking Systems
A racking system is a type of storage system used in warehouses and other industrial settings
to store and organize products and materials. It consists of a series of metal frames or racks
that are designed to hold items in a vertical arrangement, maximizing the use of vertical space.

Racking Cantilever Rack Drive Through Rack

Shelving
Shelving refers to a type of storage system that consists of horizontal surfaces or shelves
supported by vertical members or uprights. Shelving systems are commonly used in
warehouses, retail stores, libraries, and other facilities to store and display items.
 Types of Shelving
 Boltless shelving refers to a type of storage system Bolteless Shelves
that is designed for easy assembly without the need
for nuts, bolts, or other fasteners. This type of
shelving is characterized by its simple and tool-free
construction, allowing users to quickly set up or
reconfigure the shelving units.
 Bin shelving refers to a type of storage system
designed specifically for organizing and storing small
parts, items, or goods in bins or containers. This
shelving system typically features multiple
compartments or bins that are integrated into the Bin Shelves
shelving structure. It is commonly used in various
settings such as warehouses, workshops, garages, and
manufacturing facilities where the efficient
organization and retrieval of small items are essential.
 Wire shelving is a type of storage solution
characterized by its construction using wire mesh or
wire grids to form the shelves. These shelves are
commonly supported by metal posts or frames,
Wire Shelves
creating a lightweight and open design. Wire shelving
is versatile and finds applications in various settings,
including residential spaces, commercial
establishments, and industrial environments.
 MATERIAL PROCESSING
 Definition and Methods of Material processing
Welding
 Material processing refers to the series of operations and
works
techniques applied to raw materials to transform them into
finished products or semi-finished goods.
This involves various physical, chemical, or mechanical processes
that alter the form, structure, or properties of materials to meet
specific requirements. Material processing plays a crucial role in
manufacturing, construction, and various industrial sectors. The type
of material and the intended application determine the specific
Cutting & Machining processes used. Heat Treatment Casting and Moulding
 MATERIAL TRANSPORTATION
 Material transportation refers to the movement of goods, raw materials, or products from
one location to another. This process is a critical component of supply chain logistics,
manufacturing, construction, and various industries where the efficient and timely
movement of materials is essential. Several methods and modes of transportation are
employed, depending on the type of material, distance, urgency, and other factors.
METHODS OF MATERIAL TRANSPORTATION
 Road Transport
 Rail Transport
 Maritime Transport
 Air Transport
 Pipeline Transport
 Conveyor Systems
 Automated Guided Vehicles
 Cable Transport
Road Transport Rail Transport
This involves the use of vehicles such as Trains are utilized for transporting bulk
trucks, vans, and automobiles to transport materials, heavy machinery, and goods over
materials on roads. Road transport is versatile long distances. Rail transport is known for its
and widely used for short to medium efficiency in moving large quantities of
distances, offering flexibility in delivery materials and reducing transportation costs for
schedules and access to various locations. certain types of cargo.
 Air Transportation
Maritime Transportation
Airplanes are used for the rapid transportation
Ships and vessels transport materials across of high-value or time-sensitive materials. Air
oceans and waterways. Maritime transport is transport is known for its speed and global
essential for international trade and the connectivity, making it suitable for certain
movement of large quantities of goods, types of cargo, including perishable goods or
especially bulk commodities. urgent deliveries.
 Conveyor Systems
Pipeline Transportation
Within facilities like warehouses,
Pipelines are used for the transportation of manufacturing plants, or distribution centers,
liquids, gases, or slurries over long distances. conveyor systems are employed to move
This method is common in industries like oil materials along a predetermined path. They
and gas, where a continuous and reliable flow are efficient for handling a continuous flow of
of materials is required. goods over short distances.
AGVs Transportation
Cable Transportation
AGVs are autonomous mobile robots used for
the internal movement of materials within a Cable systems, such as cable cars or aerial
facility. They follow predefined paths and are ropeways, are used for transporting materials
commonly employed in manufacturing and across challenging terrains, such as mountains
warehousing for tasks such as material or difficult landscapes.
handling and inventory replenishment.
 Hazards Associated with Materials Handling, Storage,
Processing and Transportation
Factors contributing to injuries:
 Weight and bulkiness of objects
 Bending, twisting, turning movements
 Improper operation of equipment
 Accumulated materials or clutter
 Unsafe conditions of materials or containers
 Flammability or toxicity of some materials
 Weight of materials
 Binding ties or other devices that secure bundles or
bound materials
 Falling objects
 Lifting, pushing, pulling, or otherwise manually moving large, heavy
items
 Improperly stacked materials
 Struck-by or caught-in/-between hazards
Types of injuries commonly reported

 Sprains, strains, tears

 Soreness and pain
 Bruises and contusions
 Cuts, lacerations,
punctures, crushing, and
amputations

Examples of events or
exposures leading to
injuries:
 Contact with objects
and equipment
 Transportation incidents
 Exposure to harmful substances or
environments
 Falls, slips, trips, or loss of balance
 Repetitive motion
 Overexertion
Prevention of Injuries
Moving materials manually:

 Use devices to assist with holding loads

 Wear PPE

 Use proper lifting technique

 Seek help for oversized loads

 Use blocking materials

Overhead and gantry cranes:

 Never move a load over co-workers or allow co-workers to walk underneath

 Return the load block to its designated location after use

 Do not leave the load

block low enough for
someone to run into

 Never leave a suspended

load unattended

 Do not leave unused slings suspended on a crane hook

 Store wall-mounted cranes against the wall

 Continuously observe equipment for any sign of problems during operation.

 Don’t allow yourself to become distracted.

Prevention of Injuries  Operated only by thoroughly trained
and qualified workers
Eliminate/reduce crane
hazards by:
 Knowing
 Load
 Capacity of the crane
 When the load is safe to lift
 Always checking crane
load chart and never
exceed load limits
 Inspection of crane by a qualified person
 Modified, repaired, or adjusted
 Post-assembly
 At least every 12 months
 Equipment not in regular use
 Visual inspection by a
competent person
 Prior to each shift
 Monthly
 Slings
 Connects a crane hook to a load
 Proper selection
 Inspection
Conclusion
 Material handling, storage, processing, and transportation are integral components of supply
chain management and industrial operations. Here's a brief summary of each:
1. Material Handling:
1. Definition: Material handling involves the movement, control, and protection of goods, products, or
materials throughout the various stages of manufacturing, distribution, and consumption.
2. Key Aspects: Includes tasks such as lifting, carrying, stacking, and sorting materials within a facility.
Utilizes equipment like conveyor systems, forklifts, and automated guided vehicles (AGVs).
3. Importance: Efficient material handling enhances productivity, reduces manual labor, and minimizes the
risk of damage or errors in the supply chain.
2. Storage:
1. Definition: Storage refers to the systematic organization and safekeeping of goods, materials, or data for
a specific period.
2. Key Aspects: Involves selecting suitable storage methods, organizing items for easy retrieval, and
maintaining optimal conditions for stored goods.
3. Importance: Proper storage ensures inventory control, facilitates easy access, and contributes to efficient
space utilization in warehouses, distribution centers, or other storage facilities.
3. Material Processing:
1. Definition: Material processing involves a series of operations or techniques applied to
raw materials to transform them into finished or semi-finished products.
2. Key Aspects: Encompasses cutting, forming, joining, heat treatment, casting, and other
methods to modify material properties and achieve desired shapes or characteristics.
3. Importance: Material processing is essential in manufacturing, construction, and
various industries to create products with specific properties and functionalities.
4. Transportation:
4. Definition: Transportation is the movement of materials, goods, or products from one
location to another, often involving various modes such as road, rail, air, or sea.
5. Key Aspects: Includes logistics planning, loading and unloading, route optimization,
and ensuring timely and secure delivery.
6. Importance: Efficient transportation is crucial for supply chain efficiency, meeting
customer demands, and minimizing lead times. It connects different stages of the
supply chain, ensuring a smooth flow of materials.
In summary, material handling, storage, processing, and transportation are interconnected
elements in the broader context of supply chain management and industrial processes. A
seamless integration of these components contributes to operational efficiency, cost-
effectiveness, and the overall success of manufacturing and distribution activities.