Material handling equipment is including machine or storage equipment that is used to transport, process, store, or package materials. For example, forklifts, conveyors, shelves, and even autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) is common use in many industries.
In this post, we go over the Fixed material handling categories and the equipment within each category, hope it can help you gain more load and efficiency from Heda Shelves Racking Equipment.
What is Fixed Material Handling Equipment
Fixed Material Handling Equipment, including Storage Handling Equipment & Bulk Picking equipment, are essential for warehousing, logistic, manufacturing, and other transport or storage needs.
By enhancing storage efficiency and throughput, storage equipment like (pallets,shelving, racking, box&bins,mezzanines) usually compare with conveyers and other picking equipments as a smart storage solution.
Example Type of Storage Handling Equipment
Bins and drawers: These hold small to medium-sized items. Bins have open tops, allowing employees or automated systems to quickly grab inventory. Drawers allow for high-density storage and may maximize space better than shelves.
Mezzanines: Mezzanines are semi-permanent structures that add another floor between the floor and the ceiling. This increases a warehouse’s usable space, providing additional workspace or a larger storage area.
Pallets: Pallets store packaged loads, making it easier to move and transport them with industrial trucks or pallet jacks.
Pallet stacking frames: These attach to pallets, allowing you to stack palletized loads on top of each other. They require minimal storage space when they’re not being used.
Storage containers: Storage containers, also called shipping containers, can come in a variety of sizes, but are generally designed to store large objects or large amounts of materials.
Storage racks: Similar to shelving, storage or pallet racks help teams make use of their vertical space by providing several horizontal platforms. Drive-in racks allow forklifts to drive in and load pallets, increasing storage space, but minimizing accessibility.
How to Choose Material Handling Equipment
When you choose the material handling equipment, there are many different types of material handling equipment. Including manufacturing, warehousing, agricultural, or construction needs. Which is the right storage handling equipment for you? Check the following consideration:
1. Function and Space:
The primary goal of material handling equipment is to improve efficiency. This starts with a thorough understanding of your operational needs and the space available.
Workflow Analysis: Analyze the entire process flow, from receiving raw materials to shipping finished products. Identify bottlenecks and areas where material handling can be improved. Consider factors like:
Movement Distance: How far do materials need to be moved?
Frequency of Movement: How often are materials moved?
Throughput: How much material needs to be moved within a specific time frame?
Space Optimization: Evaluate your available space and how it can be utilized most effectively.
Vertical Space: Consider utilizing vertical space with mezzanines, shelving, or stacking systems.
Aisle Widths: Ensure sufficient aisle widths for equipment maneuverability.
Ceiling Height: Check ceiling height clearances for equipment like forklifts or overhead cranes.
Future Expansion: Anticipate future growth and expansion needs. Choose equipment that can accommodate increased throughput or changes in your operations.
With over 20 years in the material handling business, we've seen firsthand how the right shelving can transform a warehouse. If you're dealing with lots of small, lightweight items that move quickly, our shelving systems are a perfect fit. You can easily store items of all shapes and sizes on the sturdy metal or wire mesh shelves.
Now, for those heavier, bulkier goods? Pallet racks are the way to go. They're designed to handle significant weight and are easily accessible with forklifts, making your operations smooth and efficient.
But let's not forget the importance of operational space! In a busy logistics warehouse or distribution center, you need room for manual tasks like sorting, packing, and labeling. That's why large distribution centers and logistics warehouses often choose mezzanine racking.
It effectively doubles or even triples your usable floor space by creating elevated platforms above your existing storage areas. Think of it as adding extra stories to your warehouse without the cost of new construction!
2. The Type of Materials:
Let's talk storage material. It's more than just finding a place to stash materials. It's about strategically holding inventory – whether it's fresh off the manufacturing line, waiting for distribution from a wholesaler, or chilling out before heading to its final customer or another warehouse.
The right storage equipment setup can seriously boost efficiency on your production floor, squeeze every last drop of usable space out of your facility, and transform your inventory process from a headache into a smooth operation.
These factors are non-negotiable in today's fast-paced production environments. Sure, basic shelves, bins, and drawers have their place – you'll find them in homes and smaller setups. But when we're talking serious commercial operations, you need solutions built for the job. Here's where things get interesting:
Racks:
The major storage equipment of any warehouse. We're talking pallet racks, drive-in racks, push-back racks, drive-through configurations, even sliding racks for higher density storage.
While the variations in pallet racking can seem endless, the core principle remains the same: efficiently storing palletized materials in horizontal rows, stacked vertically to maximize cubic space. We've all seen them, but it's easy to take for granted how crucial a well-designed racking system is to overall throughput.
Stacking Frames:
Think of these as versatile, adaptable building blocks for storage. These interlocking units transform pallets into stackable containers, creating vertical storage space where there wasn't any before. Stacking frames are a simple, cost-effective way to maximize the storage density of your pallet rack system.
They're essentially load-securing devices, offering a flexible alternative to fixed bins or containers. Typically, you'll see them made up of iron posts and connecting frames, resting securely on the four corners of the pallet. This creates a sturdy, open-topped container with significant load retention capability.
Mezzanines:
When you're truly desperate for more space, look up! Mezzanines are elevated floor systems, essentially creating a second (or even third!) level within your existing facility. They're installed from the production floor all the way up to the ceiling, instantly expanding your available square footage.
I've seen Superblock Mezzanine structures work wonders; they are particularly interesting because they can be dismantled and moved relatively easily, making them a game-changer for businesses leasing space or anticipating future growth.
3. Automation vs. Labor:
Finding the right balance between automation and manual labor is essential for maximizing efficiency and minimizing costs.
Automation Benefits:
Increased Throughput: Automated systems can handle large volumes of materials quickly and efficiently.
Reduced Labor Costs: Automation can minimize the need for manual labor.
Improved Accuracy: Automated systems can reduce errors and improve accuracy in material handling.
Enhanced Safety: Automation can reduce the risk of workplace injuries associated with manual handling.
Automation Considerations:
Initial Investment: Automated systems require a significant upfront investment.
Maintenance Costs: Automated equipment may require specialized maintenance and repair.
Flexibility: Automated systems may be less flexible than manual systems in adapting to changing needs.
Manual Labor Benefits:
Lower Initial Cost: Manual equipment typically has a lower upfront cost.
Greater Flexibility: Manual systems can be more easily adapted to changing needs.
Manual Labor Considerations:
Higher Labor Costs: Manual handling requires ongoing labor costs.
Potential for Errors: Manual handling is more prone to errors.
Risk of Injuries: Manual handling can increase the risk of workplace injuries.
4. Cost and ROI:
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Consider the total cost of ownership, including purchase price, installation, maintenance, operating costs, and disposal.
Return on Investment (ROI): Calculate the return on investment for each piece of equipment to determine its long-term value. Consider factors like:
Increased Productivity: How much will the equipment increase productivity?
Reduced Labor Costs: How much will the equipment reduce labor costs?
Improved Safety: How much will the equipment reduce the risk of workplace injuries?
5. Safety Considerations:
OSHA Regulations: Ensure compliance with all relevant safety regulations and standards.
Operator Training: Provide adequate training to operators on the safe use of the equipment.
Safety Features: Choose equipment with built-in safety features, such as emergency stops, safety interlocks, and warning systems.
6. Supplier Selection:
Reputation and Experience: Choose a reputable supplier with experience in providing material handling equipment.
Service and Support: Ensure the supplier offers adequate service and support, including installation, maintenance, and spare parts.
Warranty: Check the warranty offered by the supplier.
Need to Start Warehouse Project or Purchase Material Handling Equipment?
If you require industrial storage handling equipment for your warehouse, Heda Shelves has a variety of material handling equipment with tailor solution, including pallet racking, mezzanine racking, industrial shelving solution, forklifts, hand jacks. Partner with us, 23+ years storage racking manufacturer in china, gain a load more, less space solution Now!