Containers. - TM-38-4000180

TM 38-400/NAVSUP PUB 572/AFMAN 23-210 MCO 4450.14/DLAM 4145.12

n. All materials handling operations should follow a

defined method. What causes variation in the length of

maximum number of filled containers which may be

time required for handling a given product? The method

placed on its top.

used in picking up, carrying to, setting down, and

c. Container

Design

and

Use. Containers

returning from is always the source of variation. The

should be designed for shipping and storage as well as

standardization of the method will provide a basis for

for use at point of use. It is often possible to design a

determining handling requirements.

It should be

container so that it acts as a hopper or supply bin for

recognized that establishing this method, normally, will

work in process. When this situation exists, storage

nor require detailed refinement such as that used in

area, cost of handling, and container costs may be

micromotion analysis.

reduced.

o. Short, irregular moves lend themselves to

d. Unit load is basic, container incidental.

manual materials handling. Some materials handling

Regardless of the type of container used, the important

operations do not occur with any degree of

factor is the method of loading that container. Greater

repetitiveness. The use of equipment for such an

economy is obtained through the use of the unit load as

operation may be much more costly than manpower.

more material can be moved at a single time. The more

When moves are short, irregular, and load capacity of

pieces or pounds moved, as a unit load in a single

men not exceeded, it may be more economical to use

handling operation, the lower the cost per piece or per

manpower.

pound and the shorter the time required to move any

p. Wherever practicable, materials should be

given volume.

prepositioned

for

the

handling

operations.

e. Collapsible containers. These items require less

Prepositioning places

storage space when empty and can be returned at lower

(1) Containers in a position to facilitate

transportation costs. Because of the high transportation

picking up.

costs, it is important that a thorough study be made

before selecting returnable containers. Some of the

(2) Containers on a conveyor which reduces

factors to be considered in the selection of returnable

accidents and lessens equipment damage.

containers are

(3) Materials so they won't obstruct other

(1) First cost, including initial shipping from

material movements, which may result in reduced

container manufacturer.

materials and equipment damage and a reduction in the

number of accidents.

(2) Cost of transportation to and from its

destination.

q. Wherever practicable, materials should be

(3) Total investment required.

moved in a horizontal plane or with the aid of gravity.

During loading and unloading, personnel may have to

(4) Records involved.

reach either down or up. The excessive effort used

(5) Potential loss resulting from damage to

might have been greatly reduced if the workplace layout

product.

had been planned. The ideal lifting position is at the

(6) Maintenance cost.

waist. The nearer to the waist that a container or part

(7) Accumulating, segregating, and storage

can be picked up and disposed, the greater will be the

space involved at both user and supplier stations.

efficiency.

(8) Conservation of material resources.

4-2. Containers.

(9) Number or reuses likely to be made.

a. Definition. A container is defined as a means

f. Containers must be standardized wherever

which provides the necessary enclosure, arranged so as

possible.

Standardization of containers facilitates

to properly retain the product and restrain its movement

materials handling, in that, carriers, loading and

to the degree necessary for protection in handling,

unloading devices, conveyors, measuring methods, and

storage, and transportation. The proper selection and

methods of handling can be standardized.

When

design consideration given to each container reduces

containers are standardized, the amount of equipment

loss or damage to parts and assures protection to the

necessary for handling can be reduced.

container, especially the reusable types.

g. Unit loads should be increased to the economic

b. Within feasible cost limits, minimum materials

maximum. Greater economy is obtained as the unit

with maximum strength should be used in container

load is increased, provided container or equipment

construction. When the possibility of tiering exists,

capacity is not exceeded. The more pieces carried in

containers should be so constructed as to support the

one load, the greater the efficiency.

4-2