Forklifts: The Foundation for Material Movement
Forklifts have been one of the most widely used types of material handling equipment for decades. There are various types of forklifts tailored for different applications, but they all share the core purpose of transporting and lifting heavy loads with their fork attachments. Basic counterbalance forklifts are the most common type used in warehouses for pallet loading and unloading. Reach forklifts have long forks that can extend out to retrieve pallets from high shelves. Rough terrain forklifts have extra-large tires and can travel over uneven surfaces outdoors. Order pickers are forklifts equipped with an elevated operator cabin along with racks and shelves for storage of small items during order fulfillment processes.
Conveyor Systems: Efficient Transportation Over Long Distances
While forklifts are good for moving loads over short distances within a facility, conveyor systems provide a more continuous flow of materials over longer routes. Belt conveyors consist of a moving belt that carries items along its top surface, powered by pulleys or rollers. They are often used for bulk material transport between areas of a plant or warehouse. Powered roller conveyors utilize rotating cylindrical rollers underneath plastic belt tops to smoothly guide loads. Sortation systems employ diverts, transfers, and merges along conveyor paths to automatically route items to their destinations. Pallet conveyors handle full pallets or totes in an upright position to maximize space utilization.
Automatic Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS): Maximizing Warehouse Density
For facilities seeking the highest level of storage density, automatic storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) fully automate the process of placing pallets or bins into racks and retrieving them on demand. Standalone AS/RS use cranes running on overhead rails to access all storage locations, whileMini-Load AS/RS incorporate smaller load-handling machines that retrieve loads from static racks. In both cases, the storage/retrieval process is orchestrated by a control system tied to a warehouse management system (WMS). These systems allow up to 8 times the density of traditional shelving by eliminating aisles.
Cranes: Material Movement for Heavy, Awkward Loads
Cranes come into play for heavy loads that exceed the capacity of forklifts, such as steel coils, large machinery components, or precast concrete sections. Overhead bridge cranes traverse horizontally suspended beams, while gantry cranes ride on ground-level tracks for wider coverage. Jib cranes have a fixed base and swinging arm for tasks like loading trucks. Mobile harbor cranes handle shipping containers at ports. Electric chain hoists and winches provide lifting abilities when rigging is required. Cranes ensure bulky or oddly shaped items can still be positioned efficiently during manufacturing and shipping processes.
Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs): Transport Without Operators
For complex distribution environments with many pickups and deliveries, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) take over material transport duties without a driver on board. Laser guidance or magnetic tape embedded in floors navigate AGVs along predetermined paths. Onboard sensors allow them to stop and yield safely at intersections. Unit load AGVs transport full pallets or containers between loading docks, warehouses, and production lines. Tow tractors pull trains of carts or racks for multi-stop runs. Pallet trucks, fork trucks and carts are sized for indoor use moving individual boxes and containers within facilities. AGVs provide consistent throughput at a lower cost than human operators over long shifts.
Robots: Advanced Material Handling Through Automation
The most cutting-edge form of material handling involves robotics. Collaborative robots, or “cobots,” work safely alongside humans by ceasing motion if contacted. They can select items from bins or pallets for order fulfillment. Articulated robot arms weld parts together on assembly lines. Mobile robotic units use 3D vision to navigate autonomously. Exoskeletons worn by workers augment their lifting strength. Excavator-style robots load and unload shipping containers. The flexibility, precision, and endurance of robotics opens up new possibilities for automating repetitive or hazardous material movement that has challenged traditional equipment. As the technology evolves, robots are poised to revolutionize supply chain operations.
Whether it's forklifts in a warehouse or collaborative robots in a factory, material handling equipment plays an indispensable role in supply chain and manufacturing workflows by smoothly conveying raw materials, components, products, and packaging from one processing stage to the next. Selecting the proper equipment type for each segment of the operation sets the stage for maximizing efficiency, productivity, space utilization and, ultimately, business success. Emerging technologies continually push the boundaries of mechanized material transport and open up new automation opportunities.
Resources – How to Choose the Right Material Handling Equipment for Your Business Needs
"Types of Material Handling Equipment and Their Applications in Various Industriesâ€
Latest Development in Material Handling Equipment Market
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