What is Material Handling and What Equipment is Used?
The success of your operation depends heavily on how streamlined your process is. It's important you're using equipment that's best suited for your needs. Doing so improves workflow and also makes for a much safer work environment.
An important component in your overall operation is material handling. As a contractor or restoration specialist, you can't afford to ignore this process.
But what is material handling? Let's go over the basics and what types of equipment you should consider.
What is Material Handling?
The idea of material handling is pretty self-explanatory. It involves the movement, transportation, and protection of materials throughout a manufacturing job.
In fact, material handling is even involved in the distribution, warehousing and disposal process as well.
As you're probably aware, many materials used in large projects are too heavy or sensitive for manual handling without equipment. For effective material handling management, you'll need the right tools for the job.
This type of equipment is designed to aid in moving materials efficiently and safely. Let's go over the different types available.
Storage and Handling Equipment
This type of equipment helps hold materials that are awaiting transportation. They help save room on production floors and improve workflow.
These tools are typically non-automated. Many facilities use them for storing inventory for long periods of time.
This manner of equipment includes stacking frames which prevent crushing when large loads get stacked on top of each other. Shelves and drawers also help with the efficient use of space.
Other common storage equipment includes racks and pallets.
Mezzanines provide more storage room between the ceiling and production floor.
Examples of storing equipment includes:
- Bundle Racks
- Slab Racks
- A-frames
- Carts
- Dollies
- Countertop Support
Lifting Equipment
This type of equipment is used for lifting or lowering heavy loads.
Examples of lifting equipment used for heavier bulk include:
- Cranes
- Lifts
- Forklifts
- Patient Hoists
When attaching your load to this equipment, you'll need lifting accessories. These help properly secure the load to the equipment, and include:
- Carrying Clamps
- Slab Lifters
- Suction Cups
- Pipe Lifters
- Barrier Lifters
- Forklift booms
- Vacuum Lifter
- Glass Lifter
You'll need to take the weight of the materials into account when choosing the right lifting accessories
Fabrication Tables
To aid in the manufacturing process, fabrication tables can support and secure your material. Depending on the type of product you're building, there are a number of different options out there.
Many fabrication tables provide customized work configurations by allowing you to join the material to more than one table.
Others have tilting capability to make work extremely easy. If you need adjustable height, there are tables outfitted with hydraulic jacks.
Regardless of your needs, there's a fabrication table out there that will bring more efficiency to your manufacturing process.
Take Advantage of Material Handling Equipment
If you were asking yourself "what is material handling," but weren't exactly sure, we hope this article has cleared things up a bit.
Now that you have a better sense of how material handling can impact your workflow, it's time to incorporate the right equipment into your operation.
We offer a full range of material handling equipment for all purposes. Contact us to learn more.