---
title: "Material handling objectives and principles"
subject: "Industrial Engineering and Management"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_6/industrial_engineering_and_management:material-handling-principles-and-equipment"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/industrial_engineering_and_management/material-handling-principles-and-equipment
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Material handling objectives and principles

Industrial Engineering and Management · Chapter 2: Design of Production Systems

- Asked in: year not given, 6 marks
- Video: [#MH001 Fundamentals of Materials Handling - Definition, Objectives, & Principles.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs4-3TMo9_o) — Academic Gain Tutorials
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/industrial_engineering_and_management/material-handling-principles-and-equipment
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_6/industrial_engineering_and_management/chapter-2

## Question

Define material handling. State its objectives and the principles of good material handling. How are material handling equipment classified?

## 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.

## Answer

**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
1. **Planning:** plan all handling activities in advance.
2. **Flow:** keep a smooth flow along a straight path; avoid back-tracking.
3. **Simplification:** remove, combine or simplify moves; handle only when necessary.
4. **Gravity:** use gravity (chutes, slides) wherever possible.
5. **Unit load:** move materials in unit loads (pallets, containers) rather than singly.
6. **Mechanisation:** use machines where volume justifies.
7. **Space utilisation:** use vertical space and keep aisles clear.
8. **Safety, standardisation and flexibility:** use standard, flexible equipment safely.
9. **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.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What is true about material handling?
   A. It adds value to the product
   B. It adds cost but no value, so it should be minimised
   C. It should be increased for better quality
   D. It is only done in stores
   Answer: B. Handling adds no value but adds cost, so it is kept to the minimum. (Key point: Definition)

2. What does the unit load principle say?
   A. Move materials singly
   B. Avoid pallets
   C. Move materials in pallets or containers rather than singly
   D. Use gravity only
   Answer: C. Unit loads such as pallets and containers reduce number of moves. (Key point: Unit load principle)

3. Which is the gravity principle?
   A. Use chutes and slides wherever possible
   B. Lift everything with cranes
   C. Keep aisles blocked
   D. Use only trucks
   Answer: A. Using gravity through chutes and slides saves energy and cost. (Key point: Gravity principle)

4. Which equipment group is for continuous flow on a fixed path?
   A. Industrial trucks
   B. Cranes and hoists
   C. Auxiliary equipment
   D. Conveyors
   Answer: D. Conveyors give continuous movement along a fixed path; trucks give flexible floor movement. (Key point: Equipment classification)

## Related in Industrial Engineering and Management

- [Conveyors versus cranes and trucks](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Findustrial_engineering_and_management%3Aconveyors-cranes-and-industrial-trucks) — Industrial Engineering and Management, chapter 2

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