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Industrial material handling equipment
Material handling equipment ensures that materials and products move efficiently, safely and reliably from one point to the next. From manufacturing to stockholding and the packaging industry, material handling systems are critical for optimizing processes and improving productivity. The following blog highlights different types of material handling equipment and its specific benefits for specific applications. We also answer the question of which points play a role for selecting the correct material handling system.
What is material handling equipment in industry?
Industrial material handling is understood to be the technologies and processes used to transport, handle and move materials and goods within a given area. Material handling equipment comprises a plurality of material handling machnery and material handling systems. These technologies are designed to increase the efficiency and safety when transporting goods over various distances. Material handling equipment and material handling systems are used to optimize material flows and manufacturing processes and maximize productivity.
Control of material handling systems
Depending on the degree of human involvement and technological complexity, material handling equipment is distinguished into manual, semi-automated and fully automated material handling systems.
Manual material handling systems
Manual material handling systems require direct human interaction for operation. These systems are often simpler and less maintenance-intensive, but provide less efficiency with greater or continuous operational demands. Examples of manual material handling systems are simple roller conveyors where the user moves or pulls goods from one point to another, or manual lift trucks.
Semi-automated material handling systems
Semi-automated systems combine manual interactions with automated components. These systems reduce manual effort and improve efficiency without completely eliminating human intervention. Examples of this can be automated material handling systems that have to be loaded manually but automatically transport the goods between individual stations. They can also include systems where users control or monitor machines that perform certain tasks independently.
Fully automated material handling systems
Fully automated systems require minimal or no human intervention in normal operations. They use advanced technologies such as sensors, process control software and artificial intelligence to handle and transport materials autonomously. Examples are fully automated robotic systems in warehousing as well as complex sorting systems and packaging systems.
Material handling principles for material handling systems
Material handling systems and material handling equipment can also be classified with regard to control. Based on the operating mode principle and how the materials are transported continuously, a distinction is made between continuous conveyors and discontinuous conveyors.
Continuous conveyors
Continuous conveyors move materials continuously and without interruption along a fixed distance. These systems are ideal for transporting large quantities of goods over short to medium distances and are often used in production lines and other industrial environments. Typical examples of continuous conveyors are belt conveyors, roller conveyors, screw conveyors and chain conveyors. These material handling systems are particularly efficient for transporting standardized goods and are often used in processes that require a steady supply of material.
Discontinuous conveyors
Discontinuous conveyors transport materials in individual batches or units with interruptions between transport cycles. They are more flexible when handling different material types and are particularly suited for tasks that transport different goods at different times and to different locations. Discontinuous conveyors are ideal for situations that require flexibility and adaptability to different operating conditions. Examples of discontinuous conveyors are mobile transport chassis such as forklifts and lift trucks.
Examples of material handling systems
There are a variety of different material handling systems that are tailored to the specific needs and challenges of different industries. The technology ranges from traditional belt conveyors and roller conveyors to sophisticated automatic sorting systems and mobile robot units. Each material handling system has its own advantages and applications that make it particularly suitable for certain scenarios. Some material handling systems are discussed in more detail below.
Chain conveyors
Chain conveyors are material handling systems that are often used to transport heavy or bulky goods. Chain conveyors consist of a series of chains tensioned between two or more gears or sprockets. These chains can either carry the transported loads directly or serve as carriers for platforms, carriages or pallets on which the goods are placed. The chains themselves are robust and designed to function reliably under harsh conditions and under high loads. The advantage of these material handling systems is that they can be used both vertically and horizontally. They are also extremely robust and can carry very heavy loads. They are designed for continuous operation under demanding conditions.
Screw conveyors
Screw conveyors, or spiral conveyors, are a special type of material handling system that is mainly used for transporting bulk goods such as powders, pellets and other granular or powder materials. A screw conveyor consists of a helical screw (conveyor screw) that rotates in a closed pipe, for example. The material is fed on one end of the conveyor, where it is captured by the rotating screw and is then transported along the length of the tube to the outlet at the other end. Screw conveyors are found in a variety of applications where bulk goods have to be moved, dosed or mixed. Their compact and modular design allows them to be used in confined and complex environments. The closed design prevents dust and other contaminants from entering the environment.
Belt conveyors
Belt conveyors are one of the most commonly used industrial material handling systems. Belt conveyors are particularly useful for transporting bulk goods such as sand, coal or gravel as well as discrete goods such as crates or individual products. Their flexibility and efficiency make them an ideal choice for many production lines and packaging lines.
Read more in the article on belt conveyors
Roller conveyors
Roller conveyors consist of several regularly arranged rollers and are ideal for transporting objects with a fixed base and are often used in warehouses and production lines. Roller conveyors are easy to install and often require minimal maintenance, thus keeping their operating costs low.
Would you like to learn more about this topic? Then go to the roller conveyor blog.
Lifting systems
Lifting systems are specialized installations used to move loads vertically or to lift them from one level to another. They play an important role in many industries, especially where materials or products need to be transported between different floors or heights. Lifting systems can be integrated into different material handling systems to ensure a smooth material flow in multi-story applications. In addition, they enable maximum utilization of vertical space and thus expand the storage capacity and production capacity.
Selecting the correct material handling system
When selecting the correct material handling system, various aspects must be taken into account with regard to the efficiency and adaptability of the system to specific industrial requirements. First, physical properties such as size, weight, shape and condition (solid, liquid, gaseous) of the material influence the selection of the material handling system. For example, powders or grainy materials often require closed systems such as screw conveyors, while larger solid objects can be transported better on belt conveyors or roller conveyors. Throughput and speed are also an important factor. A material handling system must be able to move the required amount of material within a certain time, which directly affects the capacity and operating speed of the system. High-speed applications, for example, may require specialized automated belt conveyors.
The distance and direction of the material handling also play an important role. The distance over which the material must be transported and the decision whether vertical or horizontal movement is required determine the type of material handling equipment to be used. Vertical movements require specific solutions such as vertical or inclined material handling equipment, while longer horizontal distances can often be efficiently covered by belt conveyors or roller conveyors. The operating environment must also be carefully considered. Considerations such as room conditions, environmental conditions and the presence of corrosive or explosive substances can influence the selection of the material handling system. Systems must be selected such that they function reliably and safely under the given circumstances.
The careful consideration of these and other aspects enable operational efficiency, safety and cost-efficiency of production processes and logistics processes. MISUMI offers not only a variety of belt conveyors and material handling systems, but also a wide range of components such as plastic chains, belt conveyor frames, and other accessories.
