Glossary


C hook A device, generally attached to the hook of a lifting device via a bail, which "grabs" a coil of materials when inserted into the ID of that coil. Derives its name from the physical appearance of the device which resembles the letter "C". May utilize counter- balancing weights to add stability and balance in the lifting motion.
Cable reel An electrically, manually or spring-loaded device used to accumulate power cable on a reel so as to keep the cable from interfering with the piece of equipment to which the cable is bringing power. A cable reel disperses and takes up the cable as needed and retracts the cable as the machine nears the reel.
CAD Computer aided design. A computer software system that allows the user to "draw" and design objects "on a screen" as opposed to the traditional method of drafting and prototyping.
CAMH Certified Associate in Materials Handling (CAMH) is one of two certifications for the materials handling professional offered by the Materials Handling & Management Society. For more information visit: www.mhia.org/mhms
Cantilever rack A rack, utilizing "arms" cantilevered from columns, used where there is a need for a full clear shelf that can be loaded from the front without obstruction from rack support uprights.
Cantilevered gantry crane A single or double legged gantry crane designed so that the bridge girder extends over the leg or legs so as to form a cantilevered configuration. Such a design increases the loading surface of the bridge girder therein increasing the reach capabilities of the gantry crane.
Capacity rating A maximum recommended uniformly distributed static load capacity.
Capacity Requirements Planning The function of establishing, measuring, and adjusting limits of capacity. The term CRP in this context refers to the process of determining in detail the amount of labor and machine resources required to accomplish the tasks of production.
Captive pallet A pallet which is designed and dedicated to a given process, system or location/facility. Not intended to be exchanged.
Car-in-track conveyor A sophisticated version of asynchronous carriers with greater flexibility inherent in the drive systems in terms of acceleration, speed of travel and the manner by which idling is achieved. One of the earliest version of car-in-track systems of a flat, platen-like carrier with four horizontally mounted wheels on each corner. These wheels run both on and against two parallel tracking rails providing support for the carrier as well as lateral guidance. The driving force is derived from a constantly spinning tube running parallel to the guidepath, beneath the carrier. A fifth drive wheel mounted beneath the carrier makes contact with the spinning tube, resulting in a variation of worm style transmission. By controlling the set angle of the drive wheel the carrier speed can be infinitely varied up to a maximum in the 400 feet per minute range.
Carousel Carousels are a technology used to store items for eventual picking or retrieval. There are two primary types of carousels and one related technology, all of which operate under some form of computer control. Since the late 1990s, carousels have been placed under the more general category of AS/RS. See also Horizontal Carousels, Vertical Carousels, Vertical Lift Modules and/or AS/RS.
Carrier Also known as a trolley. A unit that travels on the bottom flange of a monorail or patented track beam, jib crane or bridge girder to transport a load. Also refers to a trucking line used to transport materials to and from a distribution center.
Carton A corrugated cardboard container filled at the facility for handling (shipping).
Carts Wheeled devices, generally made from plastic and/or metal, utilized to move items within a warehouse, distribution center or manufacturing facility. Carts can be equipped with drawers, bins, trays or flat surfaces to secure items for transport and storage. Carts utilize casters as well as pneumatic and semi-pneumatic wheels. See also Trays.
Case An unopened container, usually made of corrugated cardboard, containing merchandise as it was received from the vendor.
Case pick The selection of merchandise packaged in shippable cartons for orders from a pick location onto a transporting device (conveyor, cart, pallet).
Case pick from pallet This is a selection activity performed within a specific type of storage area (often pallet rack). Merchandise movement into these locations is in pallet load quantities from receiving or reserve storage locations. Merchandise movement out of these locations is in case quantities.
Cellular manufacturing The partitioning of a manufacturing system into smaller subsystems or "cells". Each of these cells or subsystems process a grouping of similar parts, products or functions therein reducing setup time, throughput time and work-in-process.
Chain conveyor A form of powered conveyor used to transport heavy unit loads such as pallets and industrial containers. These conveyors can be single or double chain strand in configuration. This chain is not only the driving force but it is also the part which comes in direct contact with the load and provides friction which pulls the load forward. In some cases, free rollers on either side of or between the chain provide additional support to the load. Short sections of double strand chain conveyors are a common means of transferring loads at right angle to/from another straight section of roller conveyor.
Chain hoist Generally, any hoist which utilizes link or roller chain as its lifting medium. Chain hoists can be manually operated (hand or lever), pneumatically driven, or electrically driven.
Chocks Triangular blocks of rubber, wood, or metal placed in front of, between or behind truck wheels to prevent accidental trailer movement.
Chute conveyor The chute conveyor is the simplest example of gravity operated conveyor. Not unlike a child's sliding board, unit simply slides down a straight or spiraling metal or plastic chute to it ultimate destination.
Clamp A below-the-hook attaching device which, using a jaw-like scissor gripping action, clamps or locks onto a piece of material. This device is attached to the hook of a hoist or the end effector of a manipulator and usually is used to pick up sheets of material such as wood or metal.
Closed shelving Shelving with the sides and back of the unit enclosed with sheet steel side and back panels.
CMAA The Crane Manufacturers Association of America, Inc. (CMAA) , an independent trade association affiliated with the United States Division of Material Handling Industry. The voluntary association of CMAA members has existed since 1955. Member companies represent industry leaders in the overhead crane market. Contact: CMAA 8720 Red Oak Blvd., Suite 201 Charlotte, NC 28217 Phone: (704) 676-1190 Fax: (704) 676-1199 Hal Vandiver, Managing Director hvandiver@mhia.org
Code Also referred to as "symbolgy". Code is a particular pattern of bars and spaces that serve to deliver information in bar code form. Characters to be included, how these characters are to be represented, and the distance between the lines and spaces are unique to each symbology. There are 20+ symbologies currently in use. The term "code" may also refer to standards and specifications.
Coil grab Lifting devices, generally attached to a hoist or lift truck, which attach to a coil's OD via tongs or gripping mechanisms and enable the coil to be lifted without damage to the material. May also be configured to "turn" the coil over or move it in directions other than vertical.
Collapsible container A container (metal or plastic) that may be disassembled or dismantled into separate pieces or folded in order to save storage space. These types of containers can be reassembled or unfolded for future use. A container whose sidewalls collapse.
Collector Electrical contacting devices providing a path for current flow from stationary conductors to moving equipment.
Collector shoe The portion of a collector which makes contact by sliding on the conductor bar.
Collision prevention The use of sensors to detect the presence of objects and, through the use of integrated controls, prevent a collision between two objects from occurring.
Column mounted jib crane Also referred to as a "pillar-supported" jib crane. The jib is attached to a self-supporting floor mounted or floor to ceiling mounted mast. A column mounted jib crane may also be supported vertically by a structural column of the building structure itself.
Comealong A common term for a ratchet lever hoist. See Ratchet lever hoist.
Commercial shelving Shelving made from lighter gauge materials and designed to provide storage for lighter weight materials and packages.. Often carries a 350# load limit.
Compression molded pallet Plastic material is placed in an open mold, which is then closed. Pressure is applied as the mold halves come together (usually in a vertical configuration), forcing the plastic material to flow and fill the cavity.
Conductive container Container that is permanently static dissipative.
Conductor bar Track mounted insulated bar used to transmit electric current to a vehicle.
Consultant Consultants whose practice includes the areas of material handling and logistics possess varying degrees of technical expertise, ranging from business process advice and design to detailed engineering design services that lead to equipment and systems being bid and procured. Although a consulting firm may also perform system integration services, it is more the exception than the rule. See also Systems Integrator.
Contained load A pallet load of items or cartons (either identical or mixed in terms of size or contents).
Container A receptacle (such as a box, enclosure) or a formed or flexible covering for the packing or shipment of articles, goods, or commodities. Containers may be constructed of plastic, welded wire, corrugated steel or aluminum. To obtain more information on the features and benefits on materials used to construct containers, please click below: Industrial Metal Containers and Wire Decking (IMC&WD) Reusable Container & Pallet Association (RCPA)
Container load capacity Maximum content weight a container can safely hold.
Container return ratio Comparison of the number of collapsed containers that equal the height of one upright container. The higher the ratio, the higher the savings with return shipments.
Container washing Service to clean and maintain containers.
Containerization The process of packing or shipping materials in containers.
Control Controls refer to the control devices (and software) required to operate powered, mechanical material handling equipment. It is the emphasis on control that ultimately leads to an integrated system and brings about the level of coordination in material and information flow that is desired. With automated information handling, the word "controls" embraces specific pieces of hardware, software, a communication network and the human user interfaces used to capture and transmit data and instruction and invoke action. See also Integrated Systems & Controls.
Controller A device by means of which the operator controls the speed, acceleration, torque and/or direction or motor driven equipment.
Convergent beam Another name for fixed focus sensing where the photoelectric sensor will only detect objects at a fixed distance from the sensor.
Conveyor A horizontal, inclined, or vertical device for moving or transporting bulk material, packages, or objects in a path predetermined by the design of the device, and having points of loading and discharge, fixed or selective.
Conveyor belt A belt used to carry materials and transmit power required to move the load being conveyed.
Corrugated plastic container A plastic container with walls designed with two "faces" of plastic with ridges and grooves sandwiched between them. Such corrugation adds strength and stability to the walls of the container.
Corrugated steel container A container fabricated from corrugated steel sheet as a completed assembly for containment, with the possible addition of structural sections for additional strength and with optional hardware added for specific use and application.
Counterbalanced truck An industrial truck that is weighed at the rear of the truck to prevent (counter) any forward tipping of the truck that could occur when lifting a load.
Crane A machine for lifting and lowering a load, and moving it horizontally. Drives may be manual, power, or a combination of both.
Crane Association The Crane Manufacturers Association of America, Inc. (CMAA) , an independent trade association affiliated with the United States Division of Material Handling Industry. The voluntary association of CMAA members has existed since 1955. Member companies represent industry leaders in the overhead crane market. Contact: CMAA 8720 Red Oak Blvd., Suite 201 Charlotte, NC 28217 Phone: (704) 676-1190 Fax: (704) 676-1199 Hal Vandiver, Managing Director hvandiver@mhia.org
Crane Manufacturers As applies to Members of the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA), this term usually applies to manufacturers of overhead traveling cranes, jib cranes, stacker cranes, and gantry cranes to the exclusion of mobile cranes, tower cranes or devices otherwise referred to as construction cranes.
Crane Manufacturers Association of America The Crane Manufacturers Association of America, Inc. (CMAA) , an independent trade association affiliated with the United States Division of Material Handling Industry. The voluntary association of CMAA members has existed since 1955. Member companies represent industry leaders in the overhead crane market. Contact: CMAA 8720 Red Oak Blvd., Suite 201 Charlotte, NC 28217 Phone: (704) 676-1190 Fax: (704) 676-1199 Hal Vandiver, Managing Director hvandiver@mhia.org
Crate A box used to protect materials during shipping and storage. See also Container.
Cross belt sorter conveyor Another form of the tray sorter is where the tray is replaced by a short belt conveyor section with its direction of travel orientated perpendicular to the line of travel of the main train. At the proper moment the belt stepper motor is energized propelling its load to either side and the desired takeaway lane. See also Tray sorter.
Cross docking The process of moving merchandise from the receiving dock to shipping for shipping without placing it first into storage locations. Information regarding the merchandise will be entered into the inventory and a transaction for shipping posted within one posting cycle, e.g. one day.
Cross stacking The ability to inter-stack different heights and sizes of containers due to the rib design on the container base.
Cubing The amount of space occupied by an item or the volume within a system or building.
Cumulative Trauma Disorder An injury that may be the result of stresses from repetitive motions such as twisting of the body during product movement or key board entry.
Cycle time A measurement of time required to order, fulfill, and deliver products and stock items. The two (2) major components of cycle time are order cycle and replenishment cycle.

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