- Practice · 6 marks
Material handling objectives and principles
Short answer
Material handling is the art of moving, storing, and controlling materials efficiently. Objectives: cut costs, delays, and damage; principles: planning, straight flow, gravity use, unit loads, mechanisation. Equipment is classified into conveyors, cranes/hoists, industrial trucks, auxiliary items, and pipelines.
Define material handling. State its objectives and the principles of good material handling. How are material handling equipment classified?
Material handling is the art and science of moving, storing, protecting and controlling materials during manufacturing, storage and distribution, so that the right material reaches the right place at the right time at minimum cost. It adds no value to the product but adds cost, so it should be reduced to the minimum.
Objectives
- Reduce handling cost and production cost.
- Reduce delays, damage and loss of materials.
- Improve safety, working conditions and use of space.
- Increase productivity and keep production flowing smoothly.
Principles
- Planning: plan all handling activities in advance.
- Flow: keep a smooth flow along a straight path; avoid back-tracking.
- Simplification: remove, combine or simplify moves; handle only when necessary.
- Gravity: use gravity (chutes, slides) wherever possible.
- Unit load: move materials in unit loads (pallets, containers) rather than singly.
- Mechanisation: use machines where volume justifies.
- Space utilisation: use vertical space and keep aisles clear.
- Safety, standardisation and flexibility: use standard, flexible equipment safely.
- Maintenance and obsolescence: plan upkeep and replacement.
Classification of equipment
| Group | Examples | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Conveyors | Belt, roller, chain, screw, pneumatic | Continuous flow on fixed path |
| Cranes and hoists | Overhead EOT crane, jib crane, chain hoist | Lifting and moving heavy loads in an area |
| Industrial trucks | Forklift, hand truck, pallet truck, AGV | Flexible movement on floor |
| Auxiliary | Pallets, bins, skids | Forming unit loads |
| Pipelines | For liquids, gases, slurries | Bulk fluids |
Equipment is selected according to the material, quantity, distance, path and cost.
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)
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