Material Handling Glossary | F
First-in/first-out method of maintaining product
rotation by always picking the oldest first. Also
an accounting method that is based upon valuing
inventory or picking inventory from the oldest to
the newest. The first product put away is the first
product picked.
First-in/last-out storage system where inventory
first stored is last removed. Generally other than
single deep, that allows minimal selectivity.
A wire embedded in the floor carrying an
alternating current, low voltage signal which
will normally create a field around the wire that
a vehicle, with appropriate sensing device, will
follow causing it to steer an accurate course over
the wire. No contact is necessary between the
wire and the vehicle or its sensing device.
Cubic density of storage obtained using least
amount of actual square footage.
Usually referring to the storage of pallets (one
on top of the other) on the floor; could also be
cartons or any type of product.
Non-powered conveyer lanes with rollers pitched
at a slight angle so that two or more loads can
be stored in one lane with gravity providing the
means of movement within that lane via FIFO
basis (for case or pallet loads).
A four-directional forklift can travel in four directions: forward, reverse, left and right.
Four-directional forklifts are especially useful for handling long, bulky loads like lumber, pipe, tubing and steel bar stock up to 22 feet in length.