University of Gondar

Institute of Technology
Department of Mechanical Engineering

Course Name: Material handling equipment

Couse code: MEng 5241
Course for BSc Students in Mechanical Engineering

Instructor: Hussen.A

March 12, 2025 By Hussen.A 1

Chapter
one
Objectives

 The objectives of this course are:

o To know the different kinds of materials handling
equipment,
o To know the procedures for selection of material
handling equipment suitable for a specific purpose,
and
o To know the steps in the design of hoisting and
conveying equipment.
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Chapter
one
Course outline

1. Introduction
2. Hoisting Equipment
3. Conveyors

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Chapter
one
1. Introduction
1.1. Basics of Materials Handling Equipment
Definition:
 Material handling equipment can be defined as the art and
science of conveying, elevating, positioning, transporting,
packaging and storing of materials regardless of size, form
and weight which affect saving money, time, and place.
 It is an art and science b/c of solution for problem of
handling was not susceptible with definite solution rather
depends up on large experience and judgment of material
handling engineer.
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Chapter
one
1. Introduction …cont’d

Figure 1.1:
different kinds
of material
handling
equipment's

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Chapter
one
1. Introduction …cont’d

Figure 1.2: storage warehouse

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Chapter
one Unloading and feeding equipment for bulk
materials
 In many cases M.H.E is the only possible means of moving
materials because of their characteristics or other reasons such
as location, safety and capacity requirements.
 As shown in Figure 1.3 the black box considered as an
industrial plant, where the input (raw materials or semifinished
products) is unloaded, stored in the raw material store, fed in to
the handling equipment in the plant, processed and
 Finally, the out put (semi-finished or finished products again in
the finished product store until loading it to the destination
required.
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Chapter
one
Flow of materials in an industrial facility

Industrial Output
Input
Facility

Control
Figure 1.3: flow of materials in an industrial facility
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Chapter
one Unloading and feeding equipment for bulk
materials
 Unloading common carriers or other means of
transportation is an important operation in most plants
which consume or process bulk materials.
 Selection of most effective and economical unloading
equipment depends up on;
 The type of carrier to be unloaded,
 The characteristics and condition of material,
 The unloading rate,
 Annual tonnage,
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Chapter
one Unloading and feeding equipment for bulk
materials …cont’d
 The means of moving cars or barges to and from
unloaded, and
 In case of large ships the cost of demurrage.
 The most effective use of unloading equipment often
requires car spotters to reduce the delays of such
movements.
 Feeding and conveying equipment is more economical
when the hopper is large enough to contain sufficient
material to continuously feed the system.
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Chapter
one
Typical unloading equipment

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Chapter
one Characteristics and benefits of material
handling equipment
 A good material handling equipment is;
• Flexible,
• Compatible, and
• Reliable.
 A good handling system have the following benefit;
 Reduced cost,
 Reduced waste,
 Improve working condition, and
 Improve efficiency of the plant.
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Chapter
one Classifications of material handling
equipment
 Five distinct functional divisions of M.H.E are;
 Bulk Handling,
 Unit handling,
 Packaging,
 Warehousing, and
 Carrier handling.
 Three groups of M.H.E, classified by their design features are;
• Hoisting equipment,
• Conveying equipment’s, and
• Surface and overhead equipment’s.
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Chapter
one
Selection of proper M.H.E equipment
 Various M.H.E can perform the same function, the question is,
how does one go about selecting the right approach.
 The following factors are to be taken into account while
selecting material handling equipment.
i. Properties of the material
ii. Layout and characteristics of the building
iii. Production flow
iv. Cost considerations
v. Nature of operations
vi. Engineering factors
vii. Equipment reliability
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Chapter
one
Selection of proper M.H.E equipment …cont’d

 The following sequence of step is a recommended

approach for solving M.H.E problems;
I. Identify and define the problem
II. Collect relevant data
III. Analyse the data
IV. Evaluate the alternative
V. Choose the preferred solution
VI. Apply the solution

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Chapter
one
Identifying the problem
 The following check lists among many spots the symptoms
with poor M.H.E (taking tour inside plant);
 Crowded operating conditions
 Poor house keeping
 Backtracking in material flow
 Manual loading and unloading (loading >25kg)
 Unused building cube space
 High damage rate
 Idle equipment and machine
 M.H.E more than 10 years old etc.
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Chapter
one
Defining the problem
 Defining should includes scope of the problem.
 This step should, wherever possible, contain;
 Quantitative information
 Collecting relevant data
 Information must developed regarding the flow of
material through the facility, along with the types of
moves that take place.
 Ensure that the data generated and collected should be
reliable.
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Chapter
one
Analyse the data
 The first step in analysing the data is considering the principles
of M.H.E, these principles for sample are;
1) Orientation principle, 11) Flexibility principle,
2) Planning principle, 12) Simplification principle,
3) Systems principle, 13) Gravity principle,
4) Unit load principle, 14) Safety principle,
5) Space utilization principle, 15) Computerization principle,
6) Standardization principle, 16) System Flow principle,
7) Ergonomic principle, 17) Layout Principle,
8) Ecology principle, 18) Cost principle,
9) Energy principle, 19) Maintenance principle, and
10) Mechanization principle, 20) Obsolescence principle.
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Chapter
one
Analyse the data …cont’d
1) Planning principle: All handling activities should be planned.
2) Systems principle: Plan a system integrating as many handling
activities as possible and co-ordinating the full scope of
operations (receiving, storage, production, inspection, packing,
warehousing, supply and transportation).
3) Space utilisation principle: Make optimum use of cubic space.
4) Unit load principle: Increase quantity, size, weight of load
handled.
5) Gravity principle: Utilise gravity to move a material wherever
practicable.
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Chapter
one
Analyse the data …cont’d
6) Material flow principle: Plan an operation sequence and
equipment arrangement to optimise material flow.
7) Simplification principle: Reduce combine or eliminate
unnecessary movement and/or equipment.
8) Safety principle: Provide for safe handling methods and
equipment.
9) Mechanisation principle: Use mechanical or automated material
handling equipment.
10) Standardisation principle: Standardise method, types, size of
material handling equipment.
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Chapter
one
Analyse the data …cont’d
11) Flexibility principle: Use methods and equipment that can
perform a variety of task and applications.
12) Equipment selection principle: Consider all aspect of material,
move and method to be utilised.
13) Dead weight principle: Reduce the ratio of dead weight to pay
load in mobile equipment.
14) Motion principle: Equipment designed to transport material
should be kept in motion.
15) Idle time principle: Reduce idle time/unproductive time of both
MH equipment and man power.
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Chapter
one
Analyse the data …cont’d
16) Maintenance principle: Plan for preventive maintenance or
scheduled repair of all handling equipment.
17) Obsolescence principle: Replace obsolete handling
methods/equipment when more efficient method/equipment
will improve operation.
18) Capacity principle: Use handling equipment to help achieve its
full capacity.
19) Control principle: Use material handling equipment to improve
production control, inventory control and other handling.

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Chapter
one
Analyse the data …cont’d
20) Performance principle: Determine efficiency of handling
performance in terms of cost per unit handled which is the
primary criterion.

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Chapter
one
Evaluating alternatives
 Once appropriate data have been assembled and analysed, the
Engineer can begin developing and evaluating alternative solution
plans.
 Formulation of solution involves the following questions;
 How many operators will be involved?
 What kind of training will they require?
 How many supervisors will needed?
 What type of equipment will be used?
 What are the power requirement?
 Will new additional building be required?
 How much it will cost? etc.
 To answer such and related questions both technical and economical
factors should be considered.
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Chapter
one
Choosing the solution
 Tests should applied for various listed alternatives.
 principal technical factor for the choice of M.H.E are:
1. kinds and properties of load to handled
a) bulk load b) unit load
2. Required hourly capacity.
3. Direction and length of travel.
4. Methods of stacking load at the initial, intermediate and final
points.
5. Characteristics of production process involved in moving
load.
6. Consideration of specific local conditions.
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Chapter
one
Choosing the solution cont’d
7. Economic and other considerations other intangible
factors include;
A) Increase in morale
B) Job enrichment
C) Improved customer service
D) Operating feasibility
E) Operator comfort
F) Ability to cope with changing condition
G) Quality of service
H) Durability of equipment, etc.
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Chapter
one
Applying the solution
 Once the preferred solution has been identified, the
major challenge is developing the implementation plan.
 Generally, the following steps are involved in
implementing a material handling systems project;
i. Develop Specifications
ii. Evaluate Suppliers
iii. Evaluate Bids
iv. Select Supplies
v. Award Contracts
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Chapter
one
Applying the solution cont’d
i. Develop specifications
 Bid specification be written, be well organized, and spell
out clearly and precisely that various vendors (sellers)
will bidding against.
 In whenever possible scaled drawing and consultants are
considered.
ii. Evaluating Suppliers
 Quantifying those suppliers that will be invited to submit
bids is an important part of bid preparation process.
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Chapter
one
Applying the solution cont’d
 Depending on scope, preferred to tour prospective
supplier´s facilities, with the ff question in mind.
 What is the condition of supplier´s plant?
 How well organized are plant operations?
 What is the condition and age of equipment?
 How good is quality control?
 How busy is the supplier?
 What full time skills are available in mechanical,
electrical, and structure crafts? Etc.
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Chapter
one
Applying the solution cont’d
iii. Evaluating the bid
 Here be ensure that all vendors are bidding to the same
specification.
iv. Selecting the supplier
 During this step operating as well as initial costs are
seriously evaluated for every alternative approach.
 Anticipated maintenance costs and spare parts inventory
costs are made among the items to be included in the
operating cost category.
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Chapter
one
Applying the solution cont’d
 Finally supplier with low cost with out sacrificing
qualitative cases will win the bid to supply the
requirements.
v. Awarding the contract
 The important thing here is the system meets performance
specification on time and with in the budget allocated.
 The contract should viewed as tool for helping both
parties- the customer and the supplier- in managing the
project.
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Chapter
one
Elements of material handling equipment
 A good M.H.E contract generally contains the following
elements;
• Objective of the system
• Modes of operation
• Environmental factors (temperature, atmosphere, and
seasonal factors)
• Description of loads to be handled, along with volume
• Warranty details
• Acceptance criteria
• Procedure for handling system changes and new
requirement etc.
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Chapter

•Enough for today

one

Thanks for your

attention!

March 12, 2025 By Hussen.A 33