Innovative Educational Tool For Learning Materials Handling Principles, Concepts, Equipment, And Analytical Models

Materials handling is a vital function in a manufacturing or distribution system. Efficient handling of material allows such systems to operate at high levels of productivity. US companies invest over $60 billion annually in materials handling technology. It is therefore extremely important for Universities to prepare materials handling engineers who understand the principles of materials handling, as well as the design, implementation, operation and control of materials handling systems (MHSs) so that they can assure the cost effectiveness of this investment. In this paper, we describe efforts underway to develop an interactive, multi-media based system for use in materials handling classes. Modules in the system introduce students to: the ten principles of materials handling, and two major equipment categories conveyors and automated storage and retrieval systems. They illustrate industrial applications of material handling equipment and teach the problem solving process through a case study and an extensive series of models, algorithms, problems and solutions. The modules can be distributed at a nominal cost to US and international universities via the web and CD-ROM media.