Various Material Handling Devices Used in Logistics

Material handling equipment is mechanical equipment used to move, store, control, and protect materials, goods, and products during the manufacturing, distribution, consumption, and disposal processes.

Material handling is a broad phrase that refers to the devices and equipment used to increase the efficiency of cargo handling tasks and utilize fewer labor resources in cargo handling tasks that place a heavy burden on workers. These machines and pieces of equipment are referred to as material handling devices. This section categorizes the material handling devices used at logistics workstations according to their function.

At logistics work sites, heavy labor is required for tasks such as loading, unloading, and transporting freight. The phrase "material handling device" refers to the machines that aid in the efficiency of this logistical process. These machines move raw materials, works in progress, and finished products. Numerous material handling devices are employed on logistics job sites.

Some examples are forklifts, carts, pallets, conveyors, conveyance robots, sorters, picking systems, and automated warehouses.

Palletizers: Palletizers are machines that load cargo onto pallets automatically. Palletizers are classified as high-level and low-level palletizers, which load products from their respective levels, and palletizing robots, which use industrial robots to grab (suction) and stack cargo.

Depalletizers: A depalletizer is the polar opposite of a palletizer; it is a material handling device that unloads merchandise that has been stacked on pallets. As with palletizers, depalletizers come in various configurations depending on the type of cargo handled.

Container Vanning and Devanning Systems: Vanning is the process of loading a container with merchandise, while devanning is unloading a container with cargo. Usually, vanning and devanning are conducted manually or with a forklift. Still, they can be made more efficient and labor-intensive by connecting a belt conveyor from the container to the warehouse interior and utilizing a vanning/devanning aid machine.

Forklifts: Forklifts are employed in various areas, including industries, warehouses, ports, and freight terminals. They are infinitely adaptable due to their ability to lift and turn large loads in a small radius. Forklifts are classified according to their shape and size. A forklift is a motorized (e.g., engine-powered) cargo handling and vehicle equipped with a device (e.g., fork or ram) for loading freight from the front and a mast for raising and lowering the device.

Significant Types

• A forklift that is counterbalanced
• Forklifts of various types, including reach forklifts

Significant Energy Sources

• Engine
• Batteries and similar items