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Open Access Articles

December 20, 2013

Process Improvement

Recent decades have witnessed the introduction of an impressive array of strategies to streamline and enhance production. Lean  — Focus on adding value and eliminating waste […]
December 20, 2013

How to improve production

Despite all the advancements in automation and high technology, humans still constitute a decisive factor in production. Whether planning new operations or improving existing ones, it […]
December 20, 2013

10 Principles of Human-Friendly Design

You must understand the basic principles of human-friendly design to evaluate or design workplace equipment. There are no shortcuts or simple tips that replace a firm […]
December 20, 2013

Spools/reels

Common issues Manhandling A problem when storing spools occurs when cut lengths are to be delivered, as opposed to the whole spool. When a length is […]
December 20, 2013

Misc. Dock Issues

Issues and Options Door Maintenance Truck/trailer doors Dock bay doors Evaluations in some distribution centers have revealed that the heaviest lifts were opening doors. The remedy […]
December 20, 2013

Picking — Racks

Background One of the most challenging issues in distribution centers is manually picking orders. The amount of lifting, bending, and reaching is obvious, but many of […]
December 20, 2013

Checking and Sorting

Common issues Constant bending to check orders Lifting, walking, carrying to sort orders Checking incoming materials often is done on the floor, which then usually requires […]
December 20, 2013

Truck Load/Unload

Background Many of the tasks related to shipping and receiving are now performed with equipment such as forklift trucks and and involve little physical strain on […]
December 20, 2013

Warehouse/Distribution Center Knowledgebase

The system of distribution centers in North America is an unsung marvel of modern technology. When a customer orders a product, it is often removed from […]
September 6, 2013

Large Containers

Long reach Climbing inside container Principles affected Posture Fore Reach Height Motions Related pages Material handling Totes Lifts Tilters Slides Carts  Workstations Parts handling. Background Large […]
September 6, 2013

Tuggers and Pushers

Excessive force to pull cart Principles affected Force Related pages Material handling Carts Wheels Lift trucks Background Some carts are sufficiently heavy and/or handled so frequently […]
September 6, 2013

Air Float Casters

Air casters on a production line for heavy electrical  cabinets Principles affected Force Related pages Material handling Carts Wheels Background Traditional wheel casters must be turned […]
September 6, 2013

Wheels

Temporary wheel: Ladder dolly Wheels too small, especially for rough floor Principles affected Force Related pages Material handling Carts and dollies Air casters Background The wheel […]
September 6, 2013

Combination lifter and transporter

Lightweight Full pallet sized Principles affected Posture Force Reach Height Related pages Material handling  Carts Lifts Lift trucks  Workstations Parts handling Background A new type of […]
September 6, 2013

Carts, Dollies, and Hand Trucks

Carts can eliminate heavy carries Good carts, as appropriate for their need (see below) Principles affected Force Height Related pages Material handling Alternatives to carts Conveyors […]
September 6, 2013

Gates for conveyors and slides

Blocked access Heavy gate Principles affected Force Motions Related pages Material handling Conveyors Slides Background Conveyors and slides are effective, but tend to block access to […]
September 6, 2013

Slides

Manually lifting a heavy load Inexpensive steel plate used to slide the load between machines Principles affected Force Motions Related pages Material handling Conveyors Conveyor gates […]
September 6, 2013

Conveyors

Principles affected Force Motions Related pages Material handling Slides Conveyor gates Carts Workstations Parts handling Background Conveyors are often taken for granted and may not even […]