Course detail

Technological Projects and Materials Handling

FSI-ETM Acad. year: 2026/2027 Winter semester

The course focuses on material handling and logistics in manufacturing companies with a particular emphasis on mechanical-engineering technologies. Students are introduced to the principles of design and operation of handling and conveying equipment, storage systems and logistics chains, always in connection with specific technological processes.

The lectures provide a systematic overview of conveyors, cranes, industrial trucks and storage equipment, principles of warehousing, material identification and warehouse management. Strong emphasis is placed on logistics calculations and on the ability to quantitatively assess capacities, throughput, utilisation of equipment and inventory levels. The course further develops competences in technological and logistics project work, including the use of simulation tools for modelling material flows and for verifying design variants in the form of a digital model or digital twin of the logistics system.

In the seminar part, students work in teams on a project aimed at designing a material-handling and logistics solution for a specific production or assembly system. They draw on knowledge from lectures, laboratory classes and industrial case studies, and use simulation software to support their design and decision-making

Supervisor

doc. Ing. Jan Zouhar, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Manufacturing Technology

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge in the field of engineering technology (forming technology, machining, foundry, welding and non-conventional technology) and knowledge of used machines and technological devices, including constructions. When processing lectures and exercises, it is also necessary to master mathematical principles, mathematical optimization, physics of material movement and logistics.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Conditions for granting credit: Participation in exercises, processing of all capacity calculation projects.i

The exam is written (1 simple example and 4 rounds of questions from the lectures) and oral. Exam could be also electronic test with oral examination.

Language of instruction

Czech

Aims

After successfully completing the course, the student will:

  • understand the fundamental principles of material handling and logistics flows in manufacturing, including links to technological processes (machining, forming, welding, assembly);

  • know the main types of conveyors, cranes, industrial trucks and storage systems, their parameters, automation options and fields of application;

  • be familiar with modern warehousing and identification technologies (WMS systems, barcodes, RFID, automated warehouses, digital warehouse) and their integration with production and logistics planning;

  • be able to perform basic logistics calculations (capacities, throughput, batch size, inventory levels, utilisation of equipment) and apply them when designing handling and logistics solutions;

  • master the methodology of designing material-handling and logistics systems – from the analysis of the current state through variant proposals to economic assessment and presentation of the solution;

  • gain experience with the use of simulation software for modelling material flows and for building a digital twin of logistics processes to verify design variants;

  • be able to work in a team on a techno-logistical project, present the results and defend the selected concepts in front of a professional audience.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

The study programmes with the given course

Programme B-STR-P: Engineering, Bachelor's
branch STG: Manufacturing Technology, 5 credits, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

39 hours, optionally

Syllabus



  • Introduction to material handling and logistics in manufacturing




  • Conveyors

    Cranes, lifting equipment and industrial trucks




  • Warehouses and storage systems




  • Identification and warehouse management




  • Logistics I – basics and calculations




  • Logistics II




  • Design of material-handling and logistics systems I




  • Design of material-handling and logistics systems II 




  • Design of material-handling and logistics systems III 




  • Special and automated material-handling systems, digital twin of logistics

    Industrial case study



Computer-assisted exercise

26 hours, compulsory

Syllabus



  • Logistics calculations I – basics




  • Logistics calculations II – extended tasks




  • Material-handling equipment in laboratory / shop floor

    Industrial case study 




  • Cranes and lifting equipment Simulation software I 




  • Simulation software II –




  • Simulation software III – 




  • Techno-logistical project I Techno-logistical project II – 




  • Techno-logistical project III – 




  • Public consultations and trial presentations