To manufacture any product, it is necessary that materials move from one step of the manufacturing process to another This

movement of materials from one processing area to another and from department to department is known as material handling.

material handling is loading, moving and unloading of materials. To do it safely and economically, different types of tackles, gadgets and equipment are used, when the materials handling is referred to as mechanical handling of materials.

(i) Improve efficiency of a production system by ensuring the right quantity of materials delivered at the right place at the right time most economically. (ii) Cut down indirect labour cost. (iii) Reduce damage of materials during storage and movement. (iv) Maximize space utilization by proper storage of materials and thereby reduce storage and handling cost. .

(v) Minimize accident during materials handling. (vi) Reduce overall cost by improving materials handling. (vii) Improve customer services by supplying materials in a manner convenient for handlings. (viii) Increase efficiency and saleability of plant and equipment with integral materials handling features

PLANNING

PRINCIPLE

MATERIAL HANDLING- RESULT OF A DELIBERATE PLAN NEEDS, PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES AND FUNCTIONAL SPECIFICATIONS ARE PRE DEFINED

STANDARDIZATION PRINCIPLE MATERIAL HANDLING METHODS, EQUIPMENTS, CONTROLS AND SOFTWARE SHOULD BE STANDARdized Standardization less variety and customisation

Work principle Define- the measure of work is material flow multiplies by the distance method. Minimal work No sacrificing of productivity or level of service

Ergonomic principle Relates to the human resources Human capabilities and limitations to be recognised and respected To ensure satisfied work force- satisfactory and healthy work conditions.

Unit load principle Unit loads- one that can be stored or moved as a single entity at one time. Unit loads- appropriate size and properly configured to facilitate effective and easy movement

Space utilisation principle Space- 3D cubic space Effective use of space- maximise storage density

System principle To ensure integrity between material movement and storage activities System collection of interacting entities that form a unified whole.

Automation principle Technology concerned with application of electromechanical devices etc to operate and control production activities

Environmental principle Environmental consciousness Minimal negative effects on environment

Life cycle cost principle Cost include all cash flows To include estimated costs Long range plan for cost reduction.

Industrial trucks include hand trucks such as twowheeled, four-wheeled, hand lift, and forklift and powered trucks such as forklift, tractor-trailer trains, industrial crane trucks, and side loaders. Conveyors such as belt, chute, roller, wheel, slat, chain, bucket, trolley, tow, screw, vibrating, and pneumatic. Monorails, hoists, and cranes such as bridge, gantry, tower, and stacker. Automated guided vehicle systems such as unit load carriers, towing, pallet trucks, fork trucks , and assembly line. Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) such as unit load, mini-load, person-on-board, deep lane, and storage carousel systems

i) Improve efficiency of a production system by ensuring the right quantity of materials delivered at the right place at the right time most economically. (ii) Cut down indirect labor cost. (iii) Reduce damage of materials during storage and movement. (iv) Maximize space utilization by proper storage of materials and thereby reduce storage and handling cost. (v) Minimize accident during materials handling. (vi) Reduce overall cost by improving materials handling. (vii) Improve customer services by supplying materials in a manner convenient for handlings. (viii) Increase efficiency and salability of plant and equipment with integral materials handling features.

(i) Gases, (ii) Liquids (iii) Semi Liquids (iv) Solids

Gases are generally handled in tight and where required, pressure resisting containers. However, most common method of handling of large volume of gas is through pipes by the help of compressor, blower etc. This process is known as pneumatic conveying.

Liquids and semi-liquids can be handled in tight or open containers which may be fitted with facilities like insulation, heating, cooling, agitating etc. as may be required by the character of the liquid. Large quantity of stable liquids/semiliquids are generally conveyed through pipes using suitable pumps, which is commonly known as hydraulic conveying.

UNIT LOADS
(a) Shape of unit loads (i) basic geometric forms like rectangular, cylindrical, pyramidal (ii) (ii) typical or usual forms like pallets, plate, containers, bales and sacks; (iii) irregular forms like objects with flat base dimension smaller than overall size, loads on rollers/wheels and uneven shapes. (b) Mass of unit load in 10 steps from 0-2.5 kg to more than 5000 kg. (c) Volume per unit in 10 steps from 0-10 cm3 to more than 10 m3.

BULK MATERIALS
Bulk materials are generally handled by beltconveyor, screw conveyor, pneumatic conveyor, bucket elevator, grab bucket, skip hoist, dumperloader etc. It can be handled by cranes or trucks when collected in containers or bags. Small lump (powdered / granular) materials can be handled pneumatically or hydraulically. Bulk materials are generally stored on ground / floor in the open or under shed, and also in bunkers or silos.

UNIT LOADS ARE CLASSIFIED

(d) Type of material in contact with conveying system like metal, wood, paper/cardboard, textile, rubber /plastics, glass and other materials. (e) Geometrical shape (flat, concave, convex, irregular/uneven, ribbed etc.) and physical properties (smooth, slippery, rough, hard, elastic etc) of base surface of unit load. (f) Specific physical and chemical properties of unit loads like abrasive, corrosive, dust emitting, damp, greasy/oily, hot, cold, fragile, having sharp edges, inflammable, explosive, hygroscopic, sticky, toxic, obnoxious, radioactive etc. (g) Loads sensitive to pressure, shock, vibration, turning/tilting, acceleration/deceleration, cold, heat, light, radiation, damp etc.