Material Handling-

Question-1: What is material handling? Answer: It is defined as the handling of raw materials; semi finished materials and finished goods through production as well as storage area. All materials handling is transport and all transport is material handling. Material handling can be broadly classified into two classes. 1) Plant movement: Materials are moved from one point to another within the factory. Materials are received in the factory, stored and later moved to the first operation and through succeeding operations until the product is completed, packed and shipped. 2) Processing: Certain process as painting, drying, baking etc. are performed as material moves through the process in addition to the above mentioned graphs, the materials handling will also cover the areas that are outside the factory or plant (Examples are raw materials, transportation and finished goods shipping). Question-2: Discuss the object / benefits of material handling. Answer: 1. Reduce costs a) Decreasing inventory. b) Utilizing space to better advantage. c) Increasing productivity. 2. Reduce waste a) Proper control over in and out of stock handling. b) Eliminate damage to material during handling. c) Flexible to meet specific handling requirement of each national. 3. Increase productive capacity a) Increase productive capacity per man hour. b) Increase machine efficiency through reduction of down time. c) Smoothing out work flow. d) Improving production control. 4. Improving working condition a) Providing safe working conditions. b) Reducing worker fatigue. c) Improving personnel comfort. d) Upgrading employees to productive work. 5. Improve distribution a) Decrease damage of products in handling and shipping. b) Improve routing. c) Improve location of storage facilities. d) Increase efficiency of shipping and receiving. Question -3: How many types of materials in aspect of materials handling? Answer: There are following categories of materials. 1. Bulk materials: Under this category, it covers all materials not packaged, whether powered, granular or lump and liquids. 2. Piece materials: All goods in pieces suitability protected for transportation are included in this category- packages can be very light, medium or heavy ( individual items weighing many tons). 3. Unitized loads: Under this category, it includes goods which have been so arranged as to provide a specific quantity of similar goods, arranged for convent mechanical handling by one of the several recognized methods such as being placed on the still ages, pallets and in conjunction with suitable attachments for handling by Fork Lift Trucks, Cranes etc. Unit loads may also be containerized loose bulk materials or of utilized pallet loads of cartons containing material or stropped palletized loads of metal ingots bricks etc.

Material HandlingQuestion -4: What is unit load? State its advantages. Answer: Unit loads or unitized packing is very extensively resorted to in order to facilitate the task of handling. Handling of unitized load and pallet of huge trailers or rail cars is done with the help of various types of fork lift trucks with attachment and whenever necessary special clamps are fitted to the conventional fork lift trucks to facilitate handling of unitized loads of various non-standard shapes and sizes. Unit loads are the key to mechanized handling for many transport operations. Some common types of unit loads are follows: 1. Boxes, cartons and cases. 2. Loads in containers of various types. a) Tote boxes. b) Barrels and drums. c) Pails for liquids d) Bulk contains with side or bottom discharge e) Large collapsible conditions f) Plastic bags and balloons 3. Crated heavy packages 4. Irregular heavy shapes on skids 5. Long stock in bundles 6. Flat stock (Plate sheets) in bundles 7. Bags and sacks 8. Strapped packages 9. Loads on flat pallets 10. Loads on post pallets 11. Individual loads on damages.