16) 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.
17) Bin storage
May be considered a special case of shelving. The horizontal opening would typically be much narrower than that found in shelving and would have a vertical restraining member across the lower face of the bin opening.
18) Reach truck
Industrial trucks equipped with a telescoping fork arrangement that permits the stacking of loads double deep. For storage depths greater than two, there is at least one example in Europe where the fork unit mechanically disengages from the mast allowing it to run into the rack on narrow rails under its own power which is derived from the truck via an umbilical cord. Applications like this can be considered a very special case of a drive-in type storage rack.
19) Gravity wheel conveyor
Ideal for light duty handling requirements where the load is flat and smooth, gravity wheel conveyors support the load on a series of skate wheels mounted on a shaft in a frame. The conveyor sections can be either rigid (straight or curved) or flexible. In the latter case, the frame is actually an accordion frame capable of being expanded or curved, making it ideal for temporary applications such as the loading and unloading of over-the-road trucks.
20) 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.
21) Industrial Trucks
Wheeled vehicle used in the plant or distribution center, in the dock area (and in some cases also in the yard or on construction sites, to pick up, transport and deposit single loads. May be powered manually, by gasoline, propane or electrically.
22) Tractor drive
An electrically or pneumatically powered drive mechanism that attaches to a trolley or carrier, via a tow bar, and allows the trolley/carrier to move on a monorail or negotiate switches, curves and drop sections. Manually powered trolleys or carriers can be retrofitted with tractor drives, in some cases.
23) Rotary rack
A rotary rack is a special variation of a horizontal carousel. In this case each vertical level or storage location is mechanically independent of the location above or beneath it. Each level in turn is driven by a separate and independent drive. Therefore, simultaneous, independent rotation of each level is possible (in any direction). Although replenishment and picking can be accomplished manually, most rotary racks incorporate automatic load inserters and extractors. See also Horizontal Carousels and/or AS/RS .
24) System Integrator
A System Integrator is a company that possesses the resources required to provide a full set of engineering services needed to take a project from the problem definition stage all the way through to implementation and system acceptance by the end user. In some cases, but not always, a company that defines itself as a system integrator may also manufacture equipment and controls. A system integrator will also assume financial responsibility for system performance. See also Consultant and/or Integrated Systems & Controls.
25) Vertical Carousels
As a storage device, a vertical carousel provides for closed loop automatically controlled rotation of the basic storage unit, which in this case may be a shelf that can be subdivided into multiple bin locations. However, a shelf or a given vertical position need not be divided in order to handle large items such as a bolt of fabric or a roll of carpet. Because storage is vertical, such systems are popular when conserving floor space. Although automatic insertion and extraction of individual items or loads is possible, it is not as common as it is with horizontal carousel applications. See also Horizontal Carousels and/or AS/RS .
26) Order picking
Order picking or order selection is the process of retrieving individual items (from storage locations) for the purpose of fulfilling an order for a customer. Schemes by which to achieve efficient order picking will vary widely. However, in all cases it involves locating the items in storage; creating a plan for retrieving the items; physically picking the items (either automatically or manually); sorting and/or assembling them into discrete orders; and in the end even packaging the orders for delivery. Although defined as a process, order picking cannot be achieved without the appropriate computer software and mechanical equipment, including the storage medium, such as pallet racks, shelving, AS/RS (including carousels) and flow delivery racks, and a means for transporting items from receiving to storage and from storage to packaging and shipment. A variety of industrial trucks and conveyors will be found in most order picking applications. Order picking may also involve robotic like devices for physically picking discrete items from their storage location. See also Warehouse Management Systems or WMS .