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Package detection
The use of sensors to identify the presence of an object typically to actuate another device for the process of identification, sorting, sizing, etc.
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Pallet
Generally constructed of plastic, metal or wood, a pallet is a piece of transportation/movement equipment utilized in the movement of unit loads. Usually "fork-liftable" in that it is designed to accept forks between the top and bottom platforms of the unit.
A portable, horizontal, rigid platform used as a base for assembling, storing, stacking, handling and transporting goods as a unit load, often equipped with a superstructure.
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Pallet dimensions
Measurement points to determine a pallet's dimensions:
Length=distance between pallet ends (inclusive of overhang) and parallel to the stringer(s).
Width=distance between pallet sides at right angles to the pallet length inclusive of any overhang
Height=distance from the outer edges of the bottom deckboards to the outer edges of the top deckboard.
Pallet dimensions are generally shown in inches.
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Pallet dispenser
A pallet feeder is a device used for feeding empty pallets. It is often known as a pallet dispenser.
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Pallet double wing
A pallet constructed in such a way as to have the top deck extending out from opposite sides.
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Pallet exchange program
A program agreed upon by several shippers and receivers with each party assuming responsibility for the total inventory of pallets. These parties exchange pallets on a one-for-one basis with each transaction recorded and documented. Program provides cost savings in off loading time and time pressures on warehousing personnel.
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Pallet flow rack
May be considered back-to-back selective rack. Inclined conveyor wheel sections are installed in the rack enabling back-loaded pallets are allowed to flow by gravity to the front or pick face. Pallet flow rack is useful for the movement of fast-moving items and serves to increase density of storage and throughput.
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Pallet length
The first dimension stated in categorizing or describing a pallet
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Pallet life
The usable life of a pallet and is expressed in time in use or in the number of trips that the pallet has been in service.
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Pallet lifter
A below-the-hook lifting device that utilizes forks in its design and serves to take the role of forklift forks while utilizing the capabilities of a crane and/or hoist. Generally, counterweighted at its top and attached via a bail and hook arrangement.
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Pallet pattern
The layer- by- layer arrangement or pattern of boxes/cartons as they are placed on a pallet.
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Pallet performance
The performance of a pallet as expressed in terms of durability, stability (lateral), degree of stiffness or rigidity, and strength.
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Pallet racks
A single or multi-level structural storage system that is utilized to support high stacking of single items or palletized loads.
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Pallet stacking frame
A load securing device that often can take the place of containers or bins. This device consists on iron posts and connecting frame members resting on the four corners of a pallet creating an open container in appearance with a certain amount of load retention ability. The frames are removable for storage, but when in use, the loaded pallets can be block stacked on the floor.
This is a particular advantage for unit loads that would not stack safely without the rigid frame. There are other attachments such as special metal frames and welded wire gates, but none of these allow for pallet stacking.
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Pallet truck
A manually powered fork truck. The operator physically pushes the forks into the opening on the pallet and "jacks" the racheting lift mechanism so as to raise the pallet off the floor. Once lifted, the load can be manually moved from place to place.
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Palletizer
Palletizers are special machines capable of building a complete unit load on a pallet. Although the most common application is for cases, some palletizers can also handle sacks and bags. A less common palletizer application would be for special products such as sheet stock.
There are two general methods employed for automatically building a full pallet. One makes use of a fixed position or overhead gantry robot with end effectors suited to the individual loads, such as vacuum lifts or a gripper. The other method employs more complex mechanisms for forming pallet layers off line, one at a time, and then shifting or transferring each successive layer onto the pallet as it is lowered via a lift/lower table.
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Pantograph leg section
The articulated support mechanism characterized by a single central pivot axis, and commonly referred to as the scissors leg assembly.
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Patented track
A generic term referring to crane and monorail equipment built in accordance with the MMA specification utilizing a composite track section incorporating a proprietary bottom flange shape.
A monorail track beam fabricated from a "T" section and a running flange. Patented track is characterized by the "hardness" of its load bearing surface and the ability to be bent into curves without deformation of the beam's load bearing surface. The name "patented track" derived from the original patent received by the inventor for the fabrication and production process of the beam(s).
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PCMH
Professional Certified in Materials Handling (PCMH) is one of two certifications available to the materials handling professional through the Materials Handling and Management Society (MHMS). For more information visit the web site at www.mhia.org/mhms
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Pendant station
Also referred to as a "pushbutton station". An electrical control device consisting of pushbutton-operated contacts in an enclosure used by the operator for control of the powered motions of the crane, hoist and other auxiliary equipment.
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People carrier
A small powered, 3 or 4 wheeled vehicle to carry people over short distances in an industrial setting.
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Permits
Generally refers to licensed or certificates granted to construct or modify facilities by municipalities.
May also refer to permissions to move products by ground or via air granted by local, state and national transportation departments. Permissions may be necessary due to the type of product or its physical size.
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Photoelectric
A form of sensor that uses light to detect the presence or absence of a physical object. See also Sensor.
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Pick and place industrial robot
The "pick and place" industrial robot is used to feed or disengage parts or tools to or from a machine, or to transfer parts from one machine to another. A variation of a "pick and place" robot is used to build and undo unit loads on a pallet.
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Picker pallet
A pallet used in distribution operations wherein the center stringer or block is grabbed by a center clamp to steady the pallet enabling goods to be stacked on it at an elevated height.
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Picking
The act of selecting and accumulating items that have been ordered, usually done under a well defined process that takes into account historical order patterns for all items eligible to be ordered.
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Plastic bin
Reusable container used for storing and shipping materials.
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Plastic pallet
A device used for moving and storing freight. It is used as a base for assembling, storing, stacking, handling, and transporting goods as a unit load. Commonly, it is about four feet square and is so constructed to facilitate the placement of a lift truck's forks between the levels of a platform so it may be moved easily.
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Platform conveyor
Another form of the conventional poternoster (See definition for Poternoster) is the platform conveyor that consists of multiple, equally spaced battens which form rigid horizontal surfaces in one direction (up and down) but behave like the front of a roll top desk on the return. Platform conveyor is an effective means of moving a continuous flow of pallets or other unit loads between levels.
Another variation of the posternoster concept, which permits both vertical and horizontal movement of load, consists of freely swinging platforms suspended between two parallel chains.
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Platform ends
The edges of the lift platform that are perpendicular to the scissor legs. The end dimension is considered the platform width.
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Platform truck
Industrial truck with a platform rather than forks for supporting the load: it cannot lift, load or unload.
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Platform/Fork length
The platform or fork dimension of a tilter as measured perpendicular to the hinged edge (tilt axis). This is considered the side of the platform or fork.
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Pneumatic hoist
A motor driven hoist whose power is derived from pneumatically powered motors. These hoist are often used in areas where electrical sparks are undesirable due to the possibility of explosion of fumes or materials.
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Pneumatic pusher
An air-powered conveyor sortation device. This device utilizes a ram and cylinder configuration and its movement is programmed to redirect packages and materials on a conveyor line.
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Pneumatic tube system
Also referred to as a vacuum tube system. In all but the simplest of applications, the pneumatic/vacuum tube system however, such as at drive through banks, these systems are capable of very complex networks (upwards of 1000 origin/destination stations) involving branching, switching or merging. The computer control in modern systems make these systems very flexible.
The carrying units appear much like a projectile that has to be opened so that the load to be transported can be placed inside. There are units installed where carriers approach 12 inches in diameter and are capable of carrying fairly large parts. The speed of a pneumatic/vacuum system averages 1500 fpm.
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Pnuematic puller
An air-powered conveyor sortation device. This device is used to redirect packages and materials on a conveyor. Pulling device travels beyond the object to be redirected and retracts, therein pulling the object in the desired direction.
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Polyethylene plastic
A polymerized resin used especially for making tubing, film or bags for packaging.
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Polypropylene plastic
A thermoplastic resin that is hard and tough and has increased optics. Functions well in thermo-formed applications such as pallets and containers.
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Pop-up chain sorter
The change in conveying direction is limited to being perpendicular to the original flow. Such a system is not suited to high- speed sortation and is mainly used for a load transfer or simple directional changes. It is suited best to handling heavy loads such as full pallets.
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Pop-up rollers
Rollers which rise up between chain or roller conveyors to move the item off the conveyor to the desired location.
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Pop-up skewed wheel sorter
An in-line diverter conveyor that has wheels that pop up between the rollers of a powered roller conveyor or between belt conveyor segments and direct sorted items onto a powered take-away line. Fairly high speed sorting, in the range of 120 cases per minute, can be achieved.
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Portable rack
Self contained steel rack units made up of bases and/or decks and posts. Portable rack may be welded or collapsible units either having a knockdown feature which can be a space saver when units are not in use.
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Positioning
The use of sensor arrays to detect the position of an object in the material handling system typically for the purpose of applying a bar code or other identifier to the object.
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Poternoster
A type of vertical conveyor that provides for continuous operation of multiple, equally spaced, load-carrying units fixed to chains that move continuously in an endless loop. With such a system the loading and unloading, usually automatic, occurs while the conveyor is running, resulting in greater throughput and an even flow of loads. This type of vertical conveyor is common in Europe
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Pouch placard system
An identification/labeling procedure that utilizes plastic or paper pouches to house or container any necessary paperwork that should accompany a container, pallet or box.
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Power and free conveyor
A variation of overhead chain conveyor is "power and free". In a conventional overhead conveyor the carrier is permanently fastened to the drive chain, in the power and free case the carrier can mechanically disengage from the drive chain and essentially idle while the chain continues to move. Power and free conveyors can also be inverted so that they can be mounted to the floor, in which case the carrier or tray rides on top of the guiding rail as opposed to being suspended beneath it.
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Powered conveyor
Conveyor of any type that's movement is driven by motors and drives. Power may be electrical or pneumatic.
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Powered wheel diverter
A device on a conveyor sortation system used to move a case/carton/piece off the main line. The device utilizes wheels(skate) that are powered to raise up form the conveyor bed and divert the objects in the desired direction.
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Principles
A principle is a general rule, fundamental, or other statement of an observed truth. Over time certain fundamental truths of material handling have been found to exist. The "principles" of material handling are often useful in analyzing, planning and managing material handling activities and systems. At the very least they form a basic foundation upon which one can begin building expertise in material handling.
These principles, that serve as a starting point to identifying potential problems and assessing need, are:
1. Planning
2. Standardization
3. Work
4. Ergonomic
5. Unit Load
6. Space Utilization
7. System
8. Automation
9. Environment
10. Life Cycle Cost
To receive a complete explanation for each of these :"Principles", contact the Material Handling Institute at (704) 676-1190 and ask for the document, "The Ten Principles of Material Handling".
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Programmable logic controller
Serving to replace hard-wire and relays, the PLC can be changed (programmed) without changing wiring and tends to be highly reliable and fast-acting. Industrial environments do not require fans, air conditioning or electrical filters to operate the PLC. The PLC is relatively easy to program or change applications and is reusable and troubleshooting is self diagnosed.
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Project management
Project management is a combination of project evaluation and scheduling with the additon of project coordination and control. Effective project managment takes into account cash flow and present worth, decision tree analysis, critical resource analysis and critical path scheduling.
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ProMat
A MHIA International Show and Conference
McCormick Place North
Chicago, IL USA
Occurs in odd numbered years in Chicago and offers a wide range of exhibits representing the very best in material handling equipment and technology.
Contact the Material Handling Industry of America at 800-345-1815 for more information. Please ask for the ProMat Staff.
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Push back rack
Utilizing wheels in the rack structure, this rack system allows palletized goods and materials to be stored by being pushed up a gently graded ramp. Stored materials are allowed to flow down the ramp to the aisle. This rack configuration allows for deep storage a each rack level.
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Push driver
A computer-controlled arm that can push items at a right angle from a conveyor line to the desired location.
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Push type crane
An overhead traveling crane whose horizontal travel is powered manually or by the operator. Often work station cranes are push type cranes. This crane may or may not utilize powered hoist or lifting mechanisms.
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Push type limit switch
A lever type limit switch that uses the up and down motion of a button as the actuator to detect very small or subtle movement by an object.
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