Glossary


Label holder The label holder acts as a label holding device that allows the user to label and relabel containers, racks and pallets.
Label identification system The system employed in identifying products and containers by use of various types of labels/placards/holders.
Label placard The label placard acts as a label holding device that allows the user to label and relabel containers, racks and pallets.
Labor Management Systems Labor Management Systems optimize the deployment of labor resources by establishing realistic performance standards and matching those standards to planned activity for optimal scheduling. Also used to monitor team and individual performance for pay and incentive purposes.
Landing gate A gate to control personnel traffic at a landing.
Laser An acronym for light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation. Converts energy into laser light which in turn, can be used to control the direction and movement of material handling equipment.
Layout Often referred to as a "floor plan". The layout shows the utilization, in graphical representations, of the gross space for storage operations and supporting functions.
Ledge type shelving A shelving unit designed to accommodate two different depths of shelves. Larger shelves are placed at the bottom and the unit is stepped back with smaller shelves on top. This step back forms a ledge across the face of the shelf. The shelving may be either open or closed type. In some instances, a ledge unit can be added to a regular shelving unit.
Leg An element attached to the base of a container that provides handling clearance and safe stacking.
LES Logistics Execution Systems manage inventory, space, material handling equipment, labor and transportation resources to assure timely, error-free fulfillment and visibility of order status throughout the supply chain.
LESA Logistics Execution Systems Association A Product Section of Material Handling Industry of America 8720 Red Oak Blvd., Suite 201 Charlotte, NC 28217 Phone: 704-676-1190 Fax: 704-676-1199 Dr. Michael Ogle, Managing Director mogle@mhia.org
Lever hoist A lever operated manual device used to lift. lower, or pull a load and to apply or release tension. Utilizes a ratchet and pawl mechanical configuration to incrementally raise or lower a load or to apply or release tension.
Lever type limit switch A limit switch that uses a lever as the actuator for the purpose of coming in physical contact with the object to be detected.
Library shelving A form of cantilevered shelving that is primarily utilized in application where ease of reconfiguration is necessary. This type of shelving is configured to satisfy book and technical manual storage requirements. Space between shelves can be expanded to accommodate taller items.
Lift The maximum vertical distance through which the load hook can travel. The total allowable hook movement between its upper limit of travel and its lower limit of travel. The term "Lift" or "Lifts" may also refer to lift tables, scissor lifts and personnel lifts. Lift tables are ergonomic devices utilized to raise, lower or tilt work loads such as pallets and containers. Lift tables are a scissors lift device used to raise, lower, stack, convey and/or transfer material between two or more elevations and not limited to landings. Such movement enables the worker to access the load at an acceptable level so as to not exert undue physical strain while working with the item(s). A scissors lift is a raising/lowering device that is supported or stabilized by one or more pantograph leg sections. Likewise, personnel lifts are used to raise and lower humans to appropriate working heights so that they may work at a safe reaching level and will have benefit of increased movement not afforded by a conventional ladder.
Lift cart A hand cart with a scissor or mast supported lifting platform.
Lift Manufacturers Lift Manufacturers A Product Section of Material Handling Industry 8720 Red Oak Blvd., Suite 201 Charlotte, NC 28217 Phone: 704-676-1190 Fax: 704-676-1199 Ray Niemeyer, Managing Director
Lift tables A scissors lift device used to raise, lower, stack, convey and/or transfer material between two or more elevations and not limited to landing.
Lifting beam A solid or fabricated metal or wooden beam, suspended from a hoist/crane or from forks of a forklift, designed to provide multiple lifting points. The lifting beam enables the user to attach the load at more than one point therein securing and controlling the load's movement.
Lifting capacity The rated load of a material handling lifting device (i.e., scissors lift, hoist) applied as uniformly distributed load.
Line shaft diverter Roller diverters used in line shaft conveyor to sort and redirect materials along a powered conveyor line.
Line shaft driven roller conveyor This form of powered conveyor consists of a rotating line shaft located under and perpendicular to the load carrying conveyor rolls. The line shaft runs parallel to the length of the conveyor. Belts or circular rubber bands connect the motor driven line shaft to the conveyor rollers thereby powering the conveyor.
Link chain A form of chain made up of a series of metal loops or links that are joined together pivotally and form a medium for lifting or conveying and transmitting power or motion.
Literature The Material Handling Industry houses the Material Handling Institute Bookstore which contains a significant amount of literature related to the industry. These offerings include introductory materials, standards and specifications, application guidelines for various types of equipment and "classic" papers on a variety of subjects penned by experts in the field of material handling equipment and processes. To access the literature offerings, please go to the MHIA Web site at www.mhia.org/bs.
Live roller conveyor The most common conveyor used in large warehouses and distribution centers. Rollers are powered through various means and therein producing movement in needed direction. The load is supported directly by the roller mounted in a frame.
LMS Labor Management Systems Labor Management Systems optimize the deployment of labor resources by establishing realistic performance standards and matching those standards to planned activity for optimal scheduling. Also used to monitor team and individual performance for pay and incentive purposes.
Load bearing surface Actual area of material in contact with and supporting a unit load.
Loading dock The sorting or staging platform where shipments are loaded or unloaded.
Loading dock door The openings in the loading dock area to the outside of a building. Loading dock doors are an important topic in planning and constructing a building. The rapidity of loading dock door opening is a consideration where some control of ambient temperature and humidity are required and often doors of this type are equipped to open automatically as a moving object approaches the door.
Loading dock equipment Equipment used to make the loading dock area of a facility more accessible and to provide safe movement of goods in that dock area. Loading dock equipment includes elevating docks, dock levelers, dock boards, dock lights, bumpers, seals, shelters, vehicle restraints and traffic doors.
Lock The latch mechanism on folding containers used with a U-shaped part called the staple to secure folding container walls and gates in a closed position.
Lodem Loading Dock Equipment Manufacturers A Product Section of Material Handling Industry of America 8720 Red Oak Blvd., Suite 201 Charlotte, NC 28217 Phone: 704-676-1190 Fax: 704-676-1199 Allan M. Howie, Managing Director ahowie@mhia.org
Logistics The organization, integration and utilization of the resources and transportation infrastructure needed to achieve the efficient flow of materials and information over the entire supply chain, or within selected subsystems. See also, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Material Handling, and Third Party Logistics. Note that all of referenced terms are highly interrelated and their definitions are frequently intermingled.
Lot reconciliation The use of sensors to count the number of objects that pass a particular point in the material handling system for purposes of reconciling actual production or material movement with planned production.
Lumbar Motion Monitor An electronic device that is usually attached to the lumbar (lower back) portion of a worker's body and "records/reads" the types, frequency and amount of exertion on that worker's lumbar. An ergonomic tool to assist in preventing lower back injuries.

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