Material Handling Equipment - Industrial and Systems Engineering

MATERIAL HANDLING EQUIPMENTDifferent from conveyors used as in-line indexing machines, where linear transfers can takeplace between multiple workcenters separated by long distances, since a rotary index table isrestricted to circular transfers with a single compact workcenter6. Parts feederUsed for feeding and orienting small identical parts, particularly inautomatic assembly operations [Boothroyd]Motion of parts in a random pile channeled so that each partautomatically assumes a specified orientation, where thesymmetries of a part define its possible orientationsMotion can be imparted through vibration, gravity, centrifugalforce, tumbling, or air pressureIn a vibratory bowl feeder, the most versatile type of parts feeder, parts are dumped into a bowland then move vibrate uphill along a track towards an outlet, where rejected parts fall off thetrack and are recycledParts feeders can be used to provide inspection capabilities with respect to the shape and weightof parts (e.g., the coin feeder of a vending machine)7. Air film deviceUsed to enable precision positioning of heavy loadsSometimes referred to as “air pallets”Can be used in place of cranes and hoistsThin film of compressed (10–50 psi) air used to floatloads of up to 300,000 lbs. so that a horizontal push of 1lb. can move 1000 lb. load; floating action enables loadto rotated or translated in any direction in the horizontalplaneRequires a smooth floor surface against which air streamsunderneath the device can pushCan be used in warehousing as the mechanism to convert stationary racks into sliding racks22