Material handling selection criteria
| Equipment | Type of materials | Benefits | Other considerations |
|
Manual |
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| Racking: Conventional
pallet rack |
Pallet loads
|
Good storage density, good product security
|
Storage density increases; further by storing loads two deep |
| Drive-in rack
|
Pallet loads | Fork trucks can access loads. good storage density
|
Fork truck access is from one direction only |
| Drive-through racks
|
Pallet loads | Same as above
|
Fork truck access is from two directions
|
| High-rise racks
|
Pallet loads | Very high storage density | Often used in ASKS and may offer tax advantages when used in rack-supported building |
| Cantilever racks | Long loads or rolls | Designed to store difficult shapes
|
Each different SKU can be stored on a separate shelf |
| Pallet stacking frames
|
Odd-shaped or crushable parts
|
Allow otherwise unshakable loads to be stacked, saving floor space | Can be disassembled when not in use |
| Slacking racks
|
Odd-shaped or crushable parts
|
Same as above
|
Can be stacked flat when not in use |
| Gravity-flow racks
|
Unit loads
|
High density storage, gravity moves loads
|
FIFO or LIFO flow of loads
|
| Shelving
|
Small. loose loads and cases
|
Inexpensive
|
Can be combined with drawers for flexibility |
| Drawers
|
Small parts and tools
|
All parts are easily accessed. good security
|
Can be compartmentalized for many SKUs |
| Mobile racking or shelving | Pallet loads, loose materials. and cases | Can reduce required floor space by half | Come equipped with safety devices |
|
Automated |
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| Unit-load ASKS
|
Pallet loads, and a wide variety of sizes arid shapes | Very high storage density. computer-controlled
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May offer tax advantage when rack-supported
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| Car-in-lane
|
Pallet loads, other unit loads | High storage density
|
Best used where there are large quantities of only a few SKUs
|
| Miniload ASRS
|
Small parts
|
High storage density, computer-controlled
|
For flexibility. can be installed in several different configurations
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| Horizontal carousels | Small parts
|
Easy access to parts. relatively inexpensive
|
Can be stacked on top of each other
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| vertical carousels | Small pails and tools
|
High storage density
Very flexible
|
Can serve dual role as storage and delivery system in multi-floor facilities |
| Man-ride machines | Small parts
|
Very flexible | Can be used with high-rise shelving or modular drawers |
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