MATERIALS HANDLING SYSTEM DESIGN - Environmentally Conscious Materials Handling - page 19

Figure 1.14 A typical AVS/RS (Source: Courtesy of Savoye Logistics)

vehicles increases the transaction cycle times and utilization, which are also key
measures of system performance.

4 HOW TO CHOOSE THE “RIGHT” EQUIPMENT

Apple (1977) has suggested the use of the “material handling equation” in arriv-
ing at a material handling solution. The methodology illustrated in Figure 1.15
uses six major questions: why (select material handling equipment), what (is the
material to be moved), where and when (is the move to be made), how (will
the move be made), and who (will make the move). All these six questions are
extremely important and should be answered satisfactorily.
The material handling equation can be specified as: Material Method ,

as shown in Figure 1.15. Very often, when the material and move aspects are
analyzed thoroughly, it automatically uncovers the appropriate material handling
method . For example, analysis of the type and characteristics of material may
reveal that the material is a large unit load on wooden pallets. Further analysis
of the logistics, characteristics and type of move may indicate that 6 meters
load/unload lift is required, distance traveled is 50 meters, and some maneuvering
is required while transporting the unit load. This suggests that a fork lift truck
would be a suitable material handling device. Even further analysis of the method
may tell us more about the specific features of the fork lift truck. For example,
narrow aisle fork lift truck, with a floor load capacity of

+ Move =

1 / 2 ton, and so on.