Material Handling - Operations, Logistics Management | Logistics Management - B Com PDF Download

Material Handling

Material handling is a process of movements of raw materials, WIP and finished goods within a facility most efficiently at the lowest possible cost.

Objectives of Material Handling

1. To achieve efficiency in movement of products in & out of stores or warehouse.
2. To ensure movement of goods in right quantity
3. To ensure availability of products when and where required.
4. Effective utilisation of available space, equipment and manpower.
5. To sort inbound shipments as per precise customer requirements

Scope of Material Handling

Activities performed during materials handling are as follows:

A] During Receipt of Materials:

1. Receipt of vehicle at nominated area
2. Unloading the consignment from vehicles.
3. Weighing, sampling and inspection of materials.
4. Moving the materials to assigned storage space.
5. Documentation of materials received and sold.
6. Management Information System

B] During Dispatch of Finished Goods:

1. Receipt of vehicle at nominated area
2. Weighing, counting and packing of goods to be dispatched
3. Movement of goods to the exit point
4. Loading the products to transport vehicles
5. Documentation of goods dispatched
6. Management Information System

CLASSIFICATION OF MHS

1. Manual System
Manual handling of materials is done when the weight of materials is low and distance to be traveled is less. It is the cheapest option for material handling.

Equipments required are manual trolleys, racks, drawers, lockers etc.

2. Mechanical System

Mechanical handling of materials is done when the weight of materials is high and distance to be traveled is more. It is the safest option for material handling.

Material Handling Equipments                                               

1. Forklift Trucks: They are lifting devices, can move loads both horizontally and vertically.

2. Cranes: They are drag devices, either floor mounted or overhead mounted.

3. Conveyors: They eliminate re-handling before and after each function.

4. Carousels: several bins on an oval track keep rotating. The operator can choose required bin to pick from. The system saves space and reduces walking time and distances.

3. Automated System

Automated handling of materials is done when the weight of materials is very high and distance to be traveled is more as well as the warehouse space is limited. It is the best and efficient option for material handling.

Material Handling Equipments                                                                              

Sortations: In Sortations, labels are read and the packages are delivered to right docks for onward dispatch

Robotics: It is a human like machine that can be programmed to perform one or series of activities.

Automated Storage and Retrieval System: It has following merits and demerits.

Merits ARS:

1. Reduction in labour cost and material handling costs
2. Increase in productivity
3. Increase accuracy and speed of services
4. Reduce handling related product damage.

Demerits of ARS:

1. It requires huge initial capital cost
2. It has perpetual maintenance costs
3. It cannot not respond to the changing needs
4. Downtime of equipment may cause interruptions
5. Its user required proper training

Automatic Guided Vehicle System (AGVS): It is as driverless vehicle that are controlled by computers for task assignment, path selection, and positioning”.

Benefits of AGVS: same as that of ARS.

PRINCIPLES OF MHS

1. Planning: All material handling should be as a result of a deliberate planning.
2. Work Principle: Avoid unnecessary movement the products.
3. Ergonomic Principle: Human capacities and limitations must be recognized.
4. Unit Load Principle: Load should be of uniform size to have smooth material flow.
5. Standardisation: Methods, equipments, controls and software should be standardized.
6. Space Utilisation: Available space should be used efficiently.
7. Automation: Operations should be automated wherever feasible to improve efficiency.
8. Systems: All activities should be integrated to form a coordinated operational system.
9. Environment: Environment impact and energy consumption should be considered.
10. Preventive Maintenance: Materials handling equipments should be regularly maintained.