Small manufacturing plant and warehouse operators may wonder how the automation suggestion might apply to them. Robotics and other high-tech solutions are astronomically expensive for a small business operator. However, the principle remains the same. For example, a large shipping company can increase efficiency with robotics solutions, while a small warehouse can increase efficiency by investing in new pallet rack systems. However, new pallet flow racks or stacker racks can make a dramatic difference in material handling efficiency.

Another type of material handling equipment is the roller conveyor which is cost effective and also versatile. This has evolved and you can now find advanced powered roller conveyors designed for heavy duty applications such as pallet handling, automotive applications or storage where heavy product is loaded onto the conveyor by machine or fork lift. Most are manufactured from mild steel but have heavy duty rollers driven by a shaft mounted gear motor.

Belt conveyors are used to move bulk or multiples of unit load products at different points in a processing system. These are low-cost, product-specific conveyor systems that use standard conveying components to move through a process or end-of-line packing facility. They can be controlled by simple push button operation at each stopping position or combined with intelligent controls to allow a set period of time at each position before proceeding. This form of conveyor includes trough, dish boom, flat bed or plastic modular.