1. Cranes

• Overhead cranes (bridge cranes): Large, fixed systems mounted on elevated runways, ideal for lifting and moving heavy loads across a wide area of a facility.

• Jib cranes: Stationary cranes with a horizontal arm (jib or boom) extending from a vertical pillar or wall, suitable for localized lifting in workshops, machining centers, and assembly lines.

• Gantry cranes: Similar to overhead cranes but supported by legs that run on wheels or tracks on the ground, making them versatile for indoor or outdoor use, particularly for lifting containers, large machinery, and bulk materials.

• Mobile cranes: Truck-mounted or crawler-mounted cranes that can be transported to different locations for construction, lifting machinery, or components. 

2. Forklifts and their variations

• Forklifts: Motorized industrial trucks with forks for lifting, stacking, and transporting palletized goods over short distances.

• Order pickers: Specifically designed to lift operators to the level of elevated shelves for efficient order fulfillment.

• Side loaders: Forklifts with forks at the side, allowing for operation in narrow aisles and loading/unloading without turning the entire machine.

• Reach trucks: Capable of reaching deeper into racking systems and lifting to higher shelves than standard forklifts.

• Pallet jacks (pallet trucks): Manual or electric devices with forks for lifting and moving pallets, useful in warehouses and distribution centers for short-distance transport. 

3. Hoists

• Electric hoists: Utilize an electric motor to lift and lower loads, offering precision and control for various applications.

• Manual hoists (chain blocks): Operated manually with a chain or lever to lift heavy loads.

• Hydraulic hoists: Rely on hydraulic power to lift and lower loads, known for strength and smooth operation. 

4. Industrial lifts (general term for various platform or elevated work platforms)

• Scissor lifts: Mobile platforms with a scissor-like mechanism that extends vertically, providing a stable platform for workers at elevated heights.

• Goods lifts (freight elevators): Specialized lifts designed to transport heavy and bulky goods between different floors in industrial, retail, or warehousing settings.

• Hydraulic lift tables: Platforms that can be raised and lowered using a hydraulic cylinder, often used for ergonomic positioning of materials or equipment

Racking systems, also known as warehouse racking or pallet racking, are essential for efficient and organized storage in warehouses and distribution centers. There are many types, each designed for specific needs and inventory management strategies. 

Pallet Racking Systems: These are the most common type and are ideal for storing large loads on pallets. 

• Selective Pallet Racking: This is the most popular type, allowing direct access to every pallet. It's versatile and works with any forklift but offers lower storage density. It's suitable for operations with a wide variety of SKUs and frequent access needs.

• Double Deep Pallet Racking: An adaptation of selective racking, it stores pallets two deep, increasing storage density. It requires specialized reach trucks and is best for LIFO (Last-In, First-Out) inventory management.

• Drive-In/Drive-Thru Racking: These are high-density systems where forklifts drive into the racking structure. Drive-in works on LIFO with a single entry/exit point, while drive-thru uses FIFO (First-In, First-Out) with separate entry and exit points. They are best for storing large quantities of the same SKU.

• Push-Back Racking: This system uses carts on inclined rails to store pallets 2-6 deep. When a pallet is loaded, it pushes previous pallets back, operating on a LIFO basis. It offers higher density than selective racking and improved selectivity compared to drive-in racks.

• Pallet Flow (Gravity Flow) Racking: Pallets are loaded onto inclined rollers at one end and flow by gravity to the other end for retrieval. This FIFO system is ideal for high-volume, perishable goods and significantly boosts storage capacity.

• Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) Racking: This system is similar to selective racking but minimizes aisle width to maximize space utilization. It requires specialized narrow aisle forklifts.

• Mobile Pallet Racking: Pallet racks are mounted on mobile bases that move on tracks, opening up aisles on demand. This compact system offers high-density storage and selectivity. 

Specialized Racking Systems: These are designed for specific types of products or situations. 

• Cantilever Racking: Ideal for storing long or bulky items like pipes, lumber, ETC. It has upright columns with horizontal arms to hold the load.

• Carton Flow Racking: Similar to pallet flow but for smaller, non-palletized items. It uses gravity to move cartons from the loading side to the picking side, ideal for high-volume order picking.

• Multi-Tier Racking: This system utilizes vertical space by creating multiple levels of shelving with aisles and stairs, It's suitable for storing small items like auto parts or pharmaceuticals.

• High-Bay Racking: These are tall racking systems, often automated, designed for high-density, high-selectivity, and high-throughput storage. They require specialized equipment like automatic cranes.

• Tire Racks: Specialized for storing automotive tires.

• Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS): These are high-tech systems that use cranes or shuttle carts for automated movement of pallets or containers. They maximize density, speed, accuracy, and safety but are expensive

Jigs, fixtures, and tooling: essential manufacturing aids

Jigs, fixtures, and other forms of tooling are indispensable manufacturing aids designed to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and repeatability in production processes. They play a crucial role in shaping, cutting, and forming materials into desired products across various industries, including automotive, aerospace, electronics, and medical devices. 

AUTOMOTIVE FIXTURES

Common types of automotive fixtures include:

• Checking Fixtures: Used to inspect and verify the dimensions and alignment of individual car parts against predetermined reference points, ensuring they meet strict quality standards.

• Jig Fixtures: Primarily used for guiding tools during machining processes like drilling, milling, or boring, ensuring consistent placement and accuracy.

• Welding Fixtures: Specifically designed to align and hold workpieces securely during welding, preventing distortion and ensuring strong, high-quality welds.

• Assembly Fixtures: Used to hold and position multiple components during assembly processes like riveting or press-fitting, ensuring accurate fit and alignment.

• Machining Fixtures: Employed to hold and support workpieces during various machining operations, ensuring stability and preventing movement or vibration.

• Body-in-White (BIW) Fixtures: A specific type of fixture used in the early stages of vehicle manufacturing to facilitate the welding of sheet metal components that form the car's basic frame.

Aerospace fixtures for assembly: ensuring precision and efficiency 

Assembly fixtures are tools designed to precisely position and hold components during manufacturing and assembly, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and repeatability. 

Types of fixtures

Common types of aerospace assembly fixtures include:

• Alignment Jigs: Used for large structural components.

• Locating Pins: Position parts relative to each other.

• Clamping Systems: Securely hold components during operations like bonding.

• Modular Frames: Offer flexibility for different parts.

• Hard Fixtures: Used for both assembly and validation. 

Benefits of custom fixtures in aerospace

Custom fixtures offer several benefits, including ensuring precision and repeatability, reducing assembly time and labor costs, enhancing safety and ergonomics, supporting the use of advanced materials, and facilitating automation. 

Key considerations in fixture design

Important factors in fixture design include material selection, tolerance and accuracy requirements, geometry and part interface, ergonomics and accessibility, and adaptability and reconfigurability. Materials like aluminum, steel, and composites are often used. Designing for adaptability allows for easier updates and variations.