SELECT EQUIPMENT WHICH
PREVENTS “BOTTLENECKS”
In developing materials handling systems, especially
those using continuous flow, make sure that
equipment use does not create a situation where all
operations must halt to await completion of part of
the process, or a “bottleneck.” The rate that materials
are fed into the system must match the rate of use
and the rate of removal.
When automated equipment is part of an assembly
line, such as a potting or packing operation, the
conveyors, bin feeders, and pot separators must
be timed to produce an even flow. This is usually
performed by variable-speed motors.
In a manual system, such as transplanting bedding
plants, removal of planted flats should be at the
same rate they are being planted to reduce waiting
time for materials to be received or removed.