Design of a tri-adjustable automated heavy-duty handling system based on industry 4.0 principles

Material handling is one of the most essential aspects within manufacturing processes and or industries. Transportation equipment used in manufacturing industries varies from pallet jack to forklift trucks and or cranes. Material handling equipment are mechanical equipment used for the movement, storage, control and protection of materials, goods and products throughout the process of manufacturing, distribution, consumption and disposal. The influence of global economy has directed to changes in the conventional approaches for manufacturing companies. In this case, manufacturing companies in South Africa and globally has taken into consideration several essential characteristics such as real-time reaction to changes, quick and quality response in sustaining and satisfying customer requests and or needs, in both hardware equipment and software modules by which the production processes are optimized for next generation manufacturing systems. Therefore, this paper aims at designing an Automated Heavy-Duty Material Handling System based on Industry 4.0 principles.