materials handling

CHAPTER 5

MATERIALS HANDLING METHODS
______________________________________________________

1. Introduction

Material Handling is the movement, storage, control and protection of materials, goods and products throughout the process of manufacturing, distribution, consumption and disposal. The focus is on the methods, mechanical equipment, systems and related controls used to achieve these functions. The material handling industry manufactures and distributes the equipment and services required to implement material handling systems. Material handling systems range from simple pallet rack and shelving projects, to complex conveyor belt and Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS).

A more fundamental way of grouping the methods used for the bulk handling of materials, especially from the standpoint of the mechanics involved, is to consider the three main groups as: 1. continuous methods, 2. semi-continuous, or many small batches, methods, and 3. batch methods.
Further division of the methods can be according to the means by which the material is moved. The following means can be used:
1. carriers,
2. pushers,
3. guiders,
4. fluid suspension,
5. rails,
6. road,
7. hoists and cranes,
8. fluid borne.
Different systems can be used for bulk transport of materials as shown in Table 1.
Group
Section
System
1. Continuous
A. Carriers
(i) belt conveyors

(ii) other continuously moving conveyors

B. Pushers
(i) open chain conveyors

(ii) closed chain conveyors

(iii) screw conveyors and feeders

C. Guiders
(i) chutes

(ii) shaker conveyors

(iii) vibratory conveyors

D. Fluid suspensions
(i) open flumes

(ii) suction pipe hydraulic

(iii) pressure pipe hydraulic

(iv) suction pneumatic

(v) pressure pneumatic
2. Semi-continuous
A. Carriers
(i) belt conveyors

(ii) other conveyors

(iii) monorails

(iv) bucket elevators

(v) aerial ropeways

B. Pushers
(i)