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Glossary

 
Festoon

A configuration of small trolleys, support track, and electirical cable utilized to provide power to material handling devices while keeping the power cable out of harm's way.  The cable is looped or "festooned" by attaching to trolleys supported on a track. Thsi arrangment allows this cable to be "bunched" in an accordian-like fashion so as to keep the cable from becoming entangled in the movement pattern of the device it serves.

Often utilized to "stretch" cable across the bridge of an overhead traveling crane.
 
Fiberboard pallet A pallet which is constructed from fiberboard material
 
First surface protection The ability of polarized retro-reflective photoelectric sensors to eliminate false operation as a result of shiny objects.
 
Fixed Aisle Storage & Retrieval

Fixed Aisle (F/A) Storage & Retrieval Systems consist of one or more long, narrow aisles framed on both sides by a steel (and sometime extruded aluminum) storage rack structure into and from which loads are automatically stored and retrieved under computer control. The storage/retrieval function in each aisle can be performed a variety of ways.  However, the most  common was is by a machine that consists of a floor running, traveling structural frame or vertical mast that guides and supports a hoisting carriage on which loads are carried. One or more shuttles or insertion/extraction devices on the hosted carriage manipulates loads into and out of adjacent or opposing storage rack positions. All three machine motions; horizontal (down aisle), vertical and shuttle action are independently and automatically controlled. See also Carousels, Unit Load AS/RS, Mini-Load AS/RS and/or Micro Load AS/RS.
 
Fixed-wall pallet container Container that features an integrated pallet and has fixed side walls.
 
Floor plans A diagram of the operating floor of a building.  Generally shows the area of a building including structural features such as columns, offices and washrooms, break areas, stairwells, elevators, doors, windows and openings such as loading dock area.
 
Flooring The design of a floor in a building or mezzanine is an important ingredient in the reliability and safety of that building or mezzanine.  Worker-friendly floors are imperative if ergonomic considerations are to be addressed.  The strength and stability of the floor is an important consideration as the floor must adequately support the machinery and moving vehicles utilized in the material handling system.
 
Flow Materials traveling on gravity or powered conveyor or without manual assistance.
 
Flow controller Photo eye or similar device used to control materials discharge from upstream conveyor(s) under full line/choke conditions.
 
Flow rack Storage rack that utilizes shelves (metal) that are equipped with rollers or wheels.  Such an arrangement allows product and materials to "flow" from the back of the rack to the front and therein making the product more accessible for small-quantity order-picking.
 
Fluid load The direct loading of a trailer from a conveyor line.
 
Flush pallet A pallet constructed in such a manner that there are no overhangs and the decks, both top and bottom, fit "flush" with the stringers on all sides.
 
Folding container A container, either metal or plastic, with sides, ends, and a base so constructed that it can be folded to a flat configuration.
 
Fork entry The opening between decks of a pallet, beneath the top deck or beneath the stringer notch, to admit forks.
 
Fork or loop lever A lever type limit switch that uses maintained contact and two wheels rotating around the ends of a "horseshoe" that pivots as the actuator to detect an object(s) moving in the forward and reverse direction.
 
Fork strap Strap that links the fork openings on the base of a pallet container.  Fork straps can allow the use of a container on conveyors.
 
Four way block pallet A pallet which, by its design and construction, is accessible to a pallet jack from all four sides; a full four-way entry pallet.
 
Four way pallet A pallet which, by its construction, allows forks of a lift to enter the pallet from both sides and ends.
 
Four way stringer pallet A pallet which utilizes stringers in its construction with these stringers being notched to allow four way insertion of forks.
 
Four-way container A container that is accessible from all four sides for storage and retrieval purposes.
 
Four-way entry pallet Openings on all four sides of a pallet or the base of a pallet or container, which allow fork truck handling from all four sides.
 
Four-way fork entry Openings on all four sides of a pallet or the base of a pallet container, which allow fork truck handling.
 
Free span The distance between supports in a storage rack.
 
Free standing mezzanine A stand alone mezzanine structure constructed within an existing building or structure which is designed to maximize clear space under and above the mezzanine. Also referred to as a "free standing, wide span mezzanine", this type of mezzanine incorporates wide column spacing and high PSF (pounds per square foot) capacity. Usually engineered for a specific need.
 
Friction type pressure gripping lifter A lifter that clamps the load and supports it by friction without causing permanent deformation of the load.
 
Full cantilevered jib crane A form of wall mounted or column mounted jib crane that utilizes a vertical pivoted member and a bridge or mast that extends at right angles to the pivoting member.  This design adds the advantage of having the jib boom at the highest hook lift , thus taking advantage of an entire building height.
 
Full perimeter pallet A pallet which utilizes a block design and incorporates the use of deckboards and stringer configured in the same plane.  Such a configuration results in the formation of a complete framework on both ends and both sides.