According to Wikipedia.org, material handling is defined as:

"Material Handling is the movement, storage, control and protection of materials, goods and products throughout the process of manufacturing, distribution, consumption and disposal. The focus is on the methods, mechanical equipment, systems and related controls used to achieve these functions. The material handling industry manufactures and distributes the equipment and services required to implement material handling systems."

Before I accepted my position as a research and development engineer at Bastian Solutions, I only knew of a peripheral definition for material handling, such as the one above.  This was due to my focus as an undergrad in automotive engineering, with some topical interest in aerospace and biomechanics. I had the impression that between these three fields, the most important and exciting engineering work was being done. 

After beginning my career at Bastian, I was pleased to find out that material handling is chock full of challenging engineering problems and the possible solutions were as varied and unique as the products they handle. What's most fascinating about this industry is that it borrows heavily from every engineering discipline that I learned as a mechanical engineering undergrad.  I had heard from other working engineers that I would only use 30-40% of what I learned in school. 

However, I have not only used the statics, dynamics and thermodynamics knowledge anticipated by most students, but I have also had to brush up on my electrical courses, vibrations, and have had to learn other disciplines that were only offered as electives in pursuit of my degree.

The reason a material handling engineer needs be comfortable with all of these fundamentals is that he or she must have an entire toolbox full of possibilities in order to create the most effective solution for the client. It's because of this required array of knowledge and technologies that I believe the material handling industry is much more interesting than people realize.  Thus, I have come to the conclusion that it's the responsibility of those who are in the material handling industry to become its spokespersons.

Author: Bastian Solutions