Simply put, material handling encompasses storage, protection, transportation and control of materials within a warehouse or a factory. Decoding material handling solutions, these are the equipment and tools (automated, semi-automated and manual) for handling materials in the manufacturing process optimally.
Whether it is moving inventory into the warehouse, its placement or its shipping from the factory, use of the material handling systems help accomplish accuracy and efficiency in these operations. This script will make you know some of the vital equipment to optimize material handling.
Material Handling and Warehouse Equipment
Storage Systems
All the goods and materials should be stored adequately in the warehouse. Following are the go to storage systems.
Industrial Shelving
Industrial shelving refers to a set of shelves to store small goods in an efficient way. This must-have storage solution is ideal for storing and retrieving goods manually. It comes in various shapes and sizes depending upon customer requirements.
Pallet Racks
For handling items in the pallets, machines are used like cherry pickers and forklifts etc. With more height and depth as compared with shelves, pallets filled with goods can be placed on pallet racks.
Cantilever Racks
Cantilever rack is ideal for storing heavy weight, odd sized and long items e.g., pipes and tubes etc.which are difficult to get fit on the pallet racks. Its components usually include arms, base, uprights and supports.
Flow Racks
Known by names like gravity feed racks, flow chutes, live storage racks, point of use racks and others, these types of racks help improve material flow. Using such racks is time saving because gravity force makes items move towards the other end of the unit.
Other Racks
As per materials quantity, nature and dimensions, other racks could be used to store them. Keep your warehouse organized and handle materials quickly and easily without getting them damaged.
Lift Equipment
Lift equipment in the warehouse includes but is not limited to forklifts, pallet jacks, hand trucks and carts etc.
Forklifts
Also recognized under the name of fork truck, it is a truck which is used for lifting items in the warehouse or facility. Using forklifts help reduce product damage chances.
Hand Trucks
Hand trucks are used in warehouse, commercial or industrial settings. They could move heavy objects upstairs or downstairs like shipping boxes etc. This two-wheeled transportation equipment can be specially designed considering load type.
Pallet Jacks
Pallet jacks are also used to load and unload items in the warehouse. With the hydraulic jack, it is raised from the floor to make it move.
Service Carts
These carts are lightweight and are utilized to place and transport items in the warehouse or manufacturing facilities. Also used as a stock maintenance cart, it is optimal for order delivering.
Other Lift Equipment
Invest in other lift equipment in the warehouse for day-to-day operations. The machinery for storing and placing goods becomes crucial to enhance workers’ productivity.
Dock Equipment
Dock equipment, beneficial for many purposes, is helpful to execute loading and unloading goods in a safe way. Given below are some of the highly-utilized dock equipment.
Dock Plates & Dock Boards
Dock plates and dock boards are used to load and unload goods at the manufacturing site. They look alike but dock boards are meant to handle heavy items and dock plates for the lightweight items.
Edge-of-Dock Levelers
Edge-of-dock levelers are utilized to minimize the height differences that exist between trailers and docks. Working on a similar pattern like traditional dock levelers, it is used in the warehouses easily.
Yard Ramps
It is also used for loading and unloading goods from the shipping containers and pallets etc. Also utilized in the absence of a permanent loading docks.
Dump Hoppers
Dump hoppers are used for dumping, storing or even relocating materials. The Most utilized hopper is the self-dumping hopper. It has forklift pockets to make lifting tasks easier.
Other Dock Equipment
Acquire extra dock equipment to cater dock operations efficiently in the warehouse. With accurate specifications, deliver the items at the specified destination.
Conveyors
Conveyor systems are used to transfer items from one area of the warehouse to the other. Below is the list of typically used conveyors.
Flexible Conveyor
As the name suggests, this conveyor is flexible to move packages of almost all sizes with a flat bottom. To meet the ever-changing needs in the warehouse, this tool is friendly to use at an affordable price.
Gravity Conveyor
A non-powered solution which utilizes gravity to move items is known as gravity conveyor. This is also a budget-friendly equipment to make possible efficient material handling.
Power Conveyor
Power conveyors are beneficial for the items which could be delivered in a non-linear way. It is usually utilized to move the items where order is not necessary to maintain.
Facility Accessories
Following are accessories to optimize safety or storage in the facility.
In-Plant Offices
To meet the expanding business requirements, in-plant offices are your solution for adjusting more workers and stock. With this, it gets easier to create more office space whenever it is required.
Mezzanines
A mezzanine floor is the middle or intermediate floor which is created either between the floor and ceiling or between the two floors. It is done to create space in the warehouse and office etc.
Rolling Ladders
Utilized in worksites, warehouses and offices etc. to facilitate workers to load and unload the items from racks and shelves. It is easy and safe to use with firm handrails, locking wheels and non-slippery grip steps.
Security Cages
Security cages, also called driver access cages, are meant for storing the items in a secured way. Keep your on-site workers and materials safe by choosing security cages.
Other Facility Accessories
Acquire additional facility accessories to escalate your facility operations. Have only those facility equipment which is worthy to invest in.
Bins & Containers
Another typically-used storage solution in the warehouse is storage bins and containers. Get more information about them in the succeeding section.
Bins
Usually not so costly and easy to clean, warehouse storage bins are used to organize and store various small to medium sized items. They don’t occupy much space in the warehouse.
Bulk Boxes
To store and ship goods in a large quantity, a bulk box is the solution. Materials used in their manufacturing is usually corrugated fiberboard. It is also popular for its names like skid box, pallet-size box and bulk bin.
Totes
Totes are a sort of container for carrying everyday goods at the production site. Meant for storing as well as moving goods, they are of small size and easy to carry.
Wire Mesh Baskets
Wire mesh baskets come in various sizes and can be locked. Using them is advantageous because they permit liquids and air flow via open space.
Packaging Equipment
Some of the conventional packaging equipment is discussed as follows.
Industrial Scales
Industrial scales are utilized to carry weighted items with the help of a crane. Its usage is in supply chain, logistics, shipping, loading docks and various other sites.
Packing Tables
No matter if packing tables are in a warehouse or other site, their benefit is worthy. They are the tools which workers utilize for packing the products and shipping to the final destination.
Strapping & Banding Equipment
Strapping and banding equipment are meant for bundling products, making them secure so that they don’t get damaged in transportation.
Stretch Wrap Machines
To provide extra safety to products, stretch wrap machines are used. Stretch wraps are protective content which are enclosed around the products for their secured storage.
Other Packaging Equipment
Have necessary packaging equipment to scale up the wrapping, sealing and shipping process. Protect your products perfectly to reduce the possibility of damage.
A Word from MWI Solutions
At MWI Solutions, we offer cutting-edge material handling and warehouse equipment and extend our assistance to make the most out of them. With reliable, industry-proven equipment and tools, take your warehouse operations to another level.
