4 Types of Material Handling Equipment

In a situation where it’s crucial to move large or heavy materials, you’ll need something to help. These heavy materials certainly can’t be moved through sheer willpower. That’s where material handling equipment comes into play.

Just what is material handling equipment? It’s the equipment that you will use to help you move a large or heavy object, store items between uses, and transport a product to its destination. That’s a pretty broad definition, defining anything from transportation to storage and control of the product.

While the definition of material handling equipment is broad in and of itself, there are certain types of equipment that are used for specific, individual purposes. Let’s take a look at what this all entails. Here are the four main types of equipment for material handling.

Storage and Handling Equipment

Providing your team with the right equipment helps them function more efficiently and reach higher levels of productivity. Their workstations matter. By outfitting the workstations with ergonomic equipment and storage solutions, you are enabling your workers to thrive at what they do best. 

These simple storage equipment will help your team stay organized and efficient. These items include:

• Shelves
• Racks
• Bins
• Stacking frames
• Drawers

Your entire production system is maximized when it operates efficiently and has an organized space. 

Bulk Material Handling

The storage, control, and transportation of bulk materials are done by bulk handling equipment. These are pieces of equipment that handle items when they are loose. By controlling the unpackaged items, you are able to streamline your production and packaging lines and increase the productivity of your employees. Examples of bulk handling equipment include:

• Conveyor belts
• Hoppers
• Silos
• Dump trucks
• Stackers and reclaimers

These items store your product until it is ready to be used. Sometimes the storage container funnels these items so they can be easily packaged and distributed. 

Modular Office Spaces

Modular buildings can be put up practically anywhere and can be customized to fit all your needs. These structures are reconfigurable so that as your business model evolves, your building can change with it. 

By creating modular office spaces, you can quickly add employees during busy times without purchasing or leasing another building. In slow times, this space can be used for storage for equipment or documentation.

Industrial Trucks

This term loosely defines a variety of equipment, from pallet jacks to forklifts. The one thing they do have in common though — they all provide a way to move an item from point A to point B. When we think trucks, we usually think large vehicles, and while this category of material handling equipment can include large trucks, it also includes smaller ones that can create mobility for an object being handled. 

Some of these trucks include:

• Pallet trucks
• Pallet jacks
• Order pickers
• Walking stackers
• Side-loaders
• Automated guided vehicles

Some of these trucks can be driven by humans, and some are completely automated — following a pre-defined track on a floor. But they all have the ability to transport your product to its final destination.Material handling equipment is a broad term that encompasses many different items. It’s hard to know exactly what someone is talking about without more specific details on that person’s situation. But one thing is certain: companies need different types of material handling equipment within their business. For more information on what types of equipment will benefit your operation, visit our product page today. If you know what you need, give us a shout — we’d be happy to put together a quote specific to your needs.

Material Handling Equipment for Productivity

From production lines to industrial plants, from warehousing to distribution, material handling is central to a wide range of business concerns. Regardless of your industry sector, specialized equipment is needed to handle materials effectively. Common examples of material handling equipment include vehicles for off-site and on-site transportation, conveyor systems and hoists for horizontal and vertical movements, and storage equipment for accessibility and control.

According to Fortune Business Insights, the global conveyor system market will be driven over the next six years by growth in the e-commerce sector and the emergence of Industry 4.0.

From the moment bulk materials come through your door to conveyors, cranes, and stacking frames, simple and highly-engineered systems need to work together in harmony.

Conveyor systems for increased efficiency

Material handling is a large field that differs considerably between businesses and locations. However, despite divergent operational demands, most equipment falls into a few categories.

• Industrial trucks and other vehicles are used to transport goods from one place to another, both between and within facilities.
• Bulk material handling equipment is used to manage items before they hit the production line, including conveyors, stackers, and bucket elevator systems.
• Complex conveyor systems and automatic guided vehicles (AVG) are used in some facilities, with mobile robotic technology central to many large-scale applications.
• Storage systems are used to manage materials and goods at all stages of the delivery and production cycle, including racks, stacking frames, and silos.

Conveyor systems play a central role in many industrial and commercial operations. Not only are they used to handle bulk materials, but they are also essential in many production lines, distribution applications, and transactional processes. From simple conveyors with manual controls to automated systems with lasers, magnets, and cameras, the right conveyor system can improve every aspect of your business.

At Handling Solutions, we offer the following conveyor systems to help you increase your productivity and maximize your efficiency:

• Roller conveyors consist of cylindrical rollers in series, with powered rollers using a chain or belt mechanism to move items forward.
• Belt conveyors move items on a belt, which is turned by pulleys that are attached to a motor. The most common belt conveyors use a single drive pulley powered by a rotor.
• Metal belt conveyors function in the same way as standard belt conveyors, with a strong and highly durable metal belt ideal for abrasive materials and demanding applications.
• Low-profile conveyors are a common variation of the belt conveyor. Low-profile units are ideal when you are working with small items and have limited space.
• Plastic belt conveyors are another belted variation. In terms of strength and durability, plastic belts are a middle-ground between standard fabric belts and tough metal belts.

Types of lifting tool equipment for increased efficiency

Along with conveyor systems, lifting tools play a key role in many warehouses and industrial facilities. Lifting tools include manipulators, lift assists, cranes, hoists, lift tables, tilters, and vertical reciprocating conveyors (VRCs). This equipment is used to move heavy items from one place to another, offering numerous safety and efficiency advantages over manual or forklift movements.

At Handling Solutions, we offer the following lifting tools:

• Manipulators and lift assists – We have manipulator arms, lift cylinders, grippers, and other equipment to lift heavy equipment and perform demanding tasks with ease.
• Ergonomic cranes – Industrial cranes give you complete flexibility over material movements. We have jib cranes, bridge cranes, and industrial hoists, among other devices.
• Lift tables, tilters, and VRCs – Specialized equipment is needed to load goods and materials safely. We have lift tables, platforms, tilters, freight lifts, and more.

Access to professional material handling equipment is crucial in many industrial and commercial businesses. When you have the right conveyor systems and lifting tools for the job at hand, you can improve the efficiency of your business and the safety of your workforce. If you would like to make an order or learn more about our products, please contact our team or request a quote today.

What Is Bulk Material?

Bulk materials play a central role in process manufacturing. Regardless of what you’re making, all products start out as unrefined bulk materials. From granules and powders to flakes and pellets, from minerals and ores to gravel and sand, a wide variety of materials are supplied and delivered in their bulk form, ready for manufacturing. Bulk materials are sourced from multiple suppliers around the world on a regular basis, and different materials have vastly different handling and processing needs.

According to Future Market Insights, revenue from the bulk material handling system market is expected to reach US$5.1 billion in 2021, thanks in part to growth in housing and infrastructure development. 

Bulk materials are used by countless industry sectors, from food and beverage producers to manufacturing, textiles, and agricultural operations. Let’s take a detailed look at bulk material handling, from unloading and transporting materials to solutions and equipment options. 

What is bulk material handling?

Bulk material handling is central to many industrial and commercial applications. This field is mostly concerned with engineering, particularly the design and operation of mechanical equipment for the handling and processing of bulk materials. In practice, bulk material handling can involve screw conveyors, bucket conveyors, hoists, bulk bag frames, and other handling systems. 

Unloading and transporting bulk materials

Unloading bulk materials is a big job that requires specialized handling systems. The equipment used depends on the nature of the materials, with examples including conveyors, hoists, and cranes. Some handling systems are used for loading and unloading materials, and others are used to transport materials from A to B. When managing bulk materials on-site, it’s important to address material quantity, density, form, packaging, and flow characteristics, among other considerations.

The characteristics of each product dictate how you should handle it, from the timing of the delivery to the storage and loading requirements. Processing plants typically store their materials in bulk before transporting and unloading them at various stages of their processing. Mechanical bulk material handling equipment is needed to discharge material from bulk bags – this process is called bulk bag unloading.

Space restrictions and storage needs also have to be addressed by plant managers, not just for the bulk materials themselves but also for the bulk bag frames and unloading equipment. Custom unloading, transporting, and storage options are often needed to meet operational needs. For example, some applications require a hoist to enable vertical movements above the bulk bag system framework. It’s important to install a system that fits in your space and gives you free access to your production line and unloading area.

Solutions for bulk material handling

When you’re dealing with bulk materials, it’s essential to have a proficient handling system. Handling Solutions leads from the front, with our team working with you to create the perfect operating environment. We have more than 50 years in operation, so you can rely on proven solutions that meet the demands of your production line and industry sector. We can improve efficiency throughout your space and streamline every aspect of material handling and movement. 

At Handling Solutions, we have a huge range of equipment options to satisfy your operational needs, including conveyor systems, bucket elevators, cranes, hoists, workstations, and storage solutions. From conception to completion, our solutions are designed to meet your handling needs. We understand that no plant is identical, and we know how to create innovative solutions that make the best possible use of your space.Bulk materials play a vital role in numerous industry sectors. In order to receive, unload, transport, store, and manage bulk materials effectively, you need to have the right infrastructure in place. If you would like to learn more about our products or request a quote, please contact our team today.

What Is a Conveyor System?

Conveyor systems are used across industry sectors to move and manipulate materials and products between locations. These machines are fast, efficient, and based on mechanical components for automatic operation. From factories and distribution centers to retail outlets and airports, this ubiquitous technology is designed to replace or augment human labor.

A conveyor system is a collection of mechanical handling devices that move materials from one place to another. These systems are commonly used to manipulate heavy materials, but they also excel in moving small products and components between different manufacturing, delivery, or transactional stages. Conveyor systems offer a range of benefits to businesses, including more efficient material movement, greater operational control, reduced labor costs, and increased workplace safety.

According to Fortune Business Insights, the global market for conveyor systems is projected to reach $7.43 billion by 2027, including 4.5% annual growth between 2020 and 2027. Let’s review different types of automated conveyor systems and how to choose the right conveyor line for your needs.

Types of conveyor systems

Conveyor system technologies share a number of features, including moving parts to hold materials and frames to guide materials between stages. Depending on the application, conveying equipment may use rollers, wheels, a belt, or a chain to transport objects. While most conveyor systems use motorized drive rollers, magnetic, pneumatic, and vibrating systems can also be used to move certain materials.

In the most typical installation, conveyor systems consist of a belt stretched between multiple pulleys. There are multiple variations available, however, with the following conveyors in common use:

• Belt conveyor – These devices include a moving belt turned by pulleys and attached to a motor. The most common type includes a single drive pulley powered by a rotor. Metal and plastic belts are available alongside standard fabric designs. 
• Chute conveyor – This conveyor type functions as a slide for materials and packages. This technology is often used to transport items between different levels of a building.
• Roller conveyor – These conveyors include gravity rollers and powered or live rollers. The former type consists of cylindrical rollers on a decline, and the latter type uses a chain or belt to move the rollers.
• Bucket conveyor – These conveyors are often used to move grain and other agricultural products. A series of buckets attached to a chain or cable is used to scoop up, transport, and dump materials.
• Ball transfer conveyor – This type of technology is used in some manufacturing plants to move objects around. A series of ball casters on a table enables multi-directional movement.
• Chain conveyor – These conveyors utilize a chain instead of rollers or a belt. Chain conveyors are used to move heavy objects close to the ground, with slat conveyors using two chains and a guiding system for additional control.
• Trolley conveyor – Common in manufacturing plants, this entire family of conveyors is designed to carry loads beneath the track rather than on top. An inverted monorail conveyor is a trolley conveyor turned upside down.
• Vertical conveyor – As their name would suggest, these conveyors are designed to lift materials and products between levels of a building.

How to choose the right conveyor system

If you are setting up or expanding an industrial or commercial business, you may need to invest in new conveyor devices. Choosing between systems is not always easy, with so many issues to consider and variables to take into account. While you need to review product requirements, you also need to analyze procedural demands and infrastructure restrictions.

From the size of your building to the type of materials you need to transport, the following factors are important:

• Building size and architecture
• Material access points
• Material type and requirements
• Operational and workplace safety
• Energy efficiency
• Reliability and maintenance
• Ability to expand or change over time
• Total and opportunity costs

Commercial and industrial conveyor systems play a vital role in many modern businesses. As a key part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, conveyor line technology allows you to automate and control every aspect of your operation. In order to benefit from conveyors, however, it’s important to select different system types based on the unique needs of your business.If you would like to learn more about conveyors or to boost your production with new equipment solutions, please check out Handling Solutions today to request a quote on your next conveyor.

Belt Conveyor vs. Live Roller Conveyor

Conveyor systems move materials from one point to another. Though there are different conveyor system designs, they all share the same general structure: a frame with wheels, rollers, or a belt. The power can come from gravity or a motor. In some cases, someone can manually push the materials using the conveyor for assistance.

The two most common types of conveyor systems are belt and roller conveyors. Both are common in warehouses and logistics facilities, where they transport and accumulate products. Both belt conveyors and roller conveyors are used for assembly, sorting, inspection, and packing.

Though they have similar functions, there are important differences between belt and roller systems. Each kind has advantages that make it best suited for specific tasks.

Differences in Appearance

There are some noticeable differences between belt conveyors and live roller conveyors.

A roller conveyor consists mainly of solid, tube-shaped rollers, which directly contact and transfer motion to the materials that they transport. These rollers may be steel or composite tubing. Some roller systems are gravity-powered, but live roller conveyors rely on a motor.

A belt conveyor, on the other hand, has a single, flat steel or composite belt for its surface. It provides stable support for the materials, and it gets its power from a drive pulley or a rotating cylindrical tube driven by a motor.

There are many subtypes for both conveyor systems. For example, roller conveyors may be belt-driven, roll-to-roll-driven, and chain-driven. On the other hand, belt conveyors can have an angled design (such as trough belts) or be completely level (flat sidewall belts). There are numerous designs, but for this article, we will focus on two of the most common: the powered belt conveyor and the live roller conveyor.

Live Roller Conveyor Definition

Live roller conveyors use steel or composite rollers that directly contact with and transmit motion to the conveyed product or material. The name “live rollers” comes from the fact that they get power from a motor (instead of gravity or manual operation). Live roller conveyors can be either belt-driven or chain-driven.

Live rollers are most common in settings that call for transporting large or heavy products, including cartons, boxes, and pallets.

Powered Belt Conveyor Definition

Belt conveyors have a steel or composite belt that sits on top of rollers or a smooth slider bed. Typically, a motor-driven cylinder underneath the belt or at the end of the conveyor powers the system. The belt comes into direct contact with the conveyed product or materials. 

This conveyor system provides a high degree of control, especially when moving materials on incline, curve, and decline. Belt conveyors are common for jobs that require moving irregularly shaped objects, small and medium boxes, and fragile objects. They are also regularly used for moving objects of all sizes up or down an incline.

When to Use a Live Roller Conveyor

Live roller conveyors are ideal for general-purpose operations where precise positioning and control are not important or when products are likely to be in continuous flow. However, it is essential to note that transfer speed will not remain constant. Instead, it will depend on the weight and volume of the materials. 

Typical applications for live roller conveyor systems include:

• Long-distance conveyance
• Return lines
• Pallet transport
• Bulk goods receiving
• Load transfer and accumulation
• Delivering products to and from automated manufacturing or sorting stations

When to Use a Belt Conveyor

Belt conveyor systems are most appropriate for complex situations requiring more precise control and positioning. They are especially advantageous when transporting products on a sloped surface or moving fragile or irregularly shaped objects. 

Typical applications for this type of conveyor include:

• High-speed conveyance
• Assembly
• Automated manufacturing systems
• Scanning
• Inspection or sorting
• Incline and decline conveyance

How to Choose the Best Conveyor for Your Needs

Choosing the right conveyor system can improve productivity and efficiency and limit the chances of damage to products. To learn more about different conveyor systems and get help with the selection process, visit our conveyor product page or contact Handling Solutions to request a quote.