| 30 x 32 AIAG Footprint |
30" x 32" footprint, as specified by the Automotive Industry Action Group. Used
as the standard pallet or bulk container footprint for use in the automotive industry. Containers
are sized to efficiently maximize the pallet. |
| 40 x 48 GMA Footprint |
48" x 40" footprint, as specified by the Grocery Manufacturers of America. Used
as the standard pallet or bulk container footprint in the food industry. Containers are sized to
efficiently maximize the pallet. This pallet footprint was devised to maximize space in 48' and 53'
trailers and some ocean containers. |
| 45 x 48 AIAG Footprint |
45" x 48" footprint, as specified by the Automotive Industry Action Group. Used
as the standard pallet or bulk container footprint in the automotive industry. Containers are sized
to efficiently maximize the pallet. This pallet footprint was devised to maximize space in 48' and
53' trailers. |
| Antimicrobial |
Antimicrobial protection seeks to inhibit the growth of bacteria and mold that
can cause stains, odors and product deterioration. |
| AS/RS |
"Automated Storage and Retrieval System" A distribution method used by many
manufacturers. |
| Automated guided vehicle (AGV) |
Provide robotic transport of goods throughout a variety of manufacturing and
specialty environments. |
| Bulk Container |
Bulk containers are used for transporting large volumes of materials, heavy
parts or large "bulky" parts in assembly, work-in-process, storage applications. They accommodate a
wide variety of products, ranging from textiles to heavy automotive parts. Bulk containers are
available in collapsible, straight-wall and nestable styles. Custom interior dunnage can be
designed to further protect the product being shipped. |
| Cardholder |
Identification holder used on hand-held, bulk containers or racking systems.
Accommodates identification and inventory cards. |
| Cellular Manufacturing |
Manufacturing approach with work centers that have total capabilities needed to
produce an item or group of similar items. Contrasts with those in which an item moves through
multiple work centers to completion. |
| Class A |
Used primarily in the automotive industry, any product designated as visible to
the occupant of a vehicle. |
| Closed-Loop |
A well-defined circuit of shipping and delivery points. Indicates that the
loops of the supply chain are closed, allowing reusable packaging to travel back and forth. This
closed circuit is critical so the containers and pallets that flow through the supply chain do not
get misdirected or lost. |
| Collapsible Container |
Stackable hand-held or bulk container with hinged sidewalls that fold in to
collapse, after use or when empty, to occupy less space in storage or return transport. Offers
efficient KD or "knock-down" ratio. Available in hand-held and bulk containers styles. |
| Compression-Molding |
Compression molding consists of a two piece mold which provides a cavity having
the shape of the desired molded part. Depending on the type of material used, either molten
thermoplastic material is placed in a cooled mold or thermoset material is place in a heated mold.
Once the appropriate amount of molding material is loaded into the lower half of the mold the two
parts of the mold are brought together under pressure. The compound is compressed into a continuous
mass that is held until it can be removed without distortion when the mold is opened. |
| Conductive Material |
ORBIS' XL material is a conductive material that is a thermoplastic
polypropylene material based upon carbon black. Surface resistance of less than 1.0 x 10 4 ohms or
a surface resistivity of less than 1.0 x 10 5 ohms/square. The electrical properties are permanent
and unaffected by washing. |
| Container |
See hand-held or bulk container. |
| Conversion |
The process of implementing plastic reusable packaging for total cost savings
across a supply chain. Usually replaces corrugated boxes and wood pallets. |
| Cost Justification |
Cost/benefit analysis used by companies when implementing reusable packaging to
compare costs and demonstrate savings over the life of the packaging. |
| CPG |
Consumer goods packaging company. |
| Creep |
The dimensional change with time of a material under load, following the
initial instantaneous elastic deformation. |
| Cross-Docking Facility |
A shared center/warehouse that is used to consolidate shipments from various
suppliers. Product can be sorted and staged prior to going to the appropriate manufacturer, based
on their production levels. Cross docking facilities are highly integrated with inventory needs, to
deliver product only when needed. Eliminates idle inventory and unnecessary storage at the
manufacturer. |
| Custom Interior Dunnage |
Custom designed and fabricated protective packaging that is used inside a
container, in a rack or on a pallet to further protect product being shipped. Can be constructed of
foam, fabric or plastic. Sometimes referred to as "dunnage" or "inserts". Can be returnable,
reusable or expendable. |
| Cycle Time |
The amount of time needed to finish one cycle of an operation. Please note:
cycle time is not the same as takt time. Takt time is the time allowed to produce one of a product
at the rate the customer demands. When cycle time equals takt time, products are made in
Single-Piece Flow. |
| Distribution |
Refers to the movement of products within a supply chain, from supplier to
manufacturer, manufacturer to distribution center (DC), distribution center to retail outlet or
retail directly to the consumer. |
| Divider Sheet |
An extruded 100% plastic sheet used between layers of product being shipped on
a pallet. Available in multiple footprints to match the pallet and top frame being used. Acts to
protect product and stabilize the pallet load. |
| Dunnage |
See Custom Interior Dunnage. |
| Electronic Discharge |
A transfer of electrostatic charge between bodies at different electrostatic
potentials caused by direct contact or induced by an electrostatic field. ORBIS offers training in
the principles of electrostatic discharge and how ORBIS containers combat static electricity. Also
called "ESD". |
| Ergonomics |
An applied science concerned with the characteristics of people that need to be
considered in designing and arranging things that they use in order that people and things will
interact in the most effective and safest manner. |
| ESD-Protective |
Containers manufactured in ESD-protective materials protect its contents from
static electricity and electrostatic damage. These materials are designed to absorb the charge and
pass it to the ground, bypassing the contents of the containers and reducing costly product
damage. |
| Expendable Packaging |
One-time use packaging. Requires disposal after one trip. |
| Exterior Dimensions |
The longest, widest and highest OUTSIDE dimensions to define the total space
occupied by the packaging. |
| External Cube |
The space a container requires for storage, determined by the footprint x
height. |
| Extrusion |
Extrusion is defined as the act of shaping a material by forcing it through a
die by using a screw extruder. Extrusion is employed in the production of film, pipe, sheet,
profiles and coatings on wire, paper and other substrates. |
| FDA Material Colors |
These material ingredients, used in the manufacture of finished goods, are
approved as safe for direct contact applications with food. These materials have been tested and
verified by the FDA and are listed in 21 Code of Federal Regulations. |
| Flexible Manufacturing System |
A manufacturing system that enables the production of a variety of items, in
small quantities, at a low cost per unit. Characteristics of a flexible manufacturing system are
often quick changeover and rapid response time. |
| Footprint |
The area on a surface covered by something. Usually base measurements on outer
base of length and width (i.e. 48" x 45" or 12" x 15") |
| Footprint |
The projected area upon a horizontal plane describing the outermost dimensions
of length and width of a pallet, container or container system. |
| Gaylord |
Large bulk container used to store and transport materials. |
| Gravity Conveyors |
A non-powered conveyor which moves material forward at a straight decline, down
a spiral path or with slight manual assistance, horizontally. |
| Hand-Held Container |
Containers that an operator can pick up and carry to a workstation or assembly
line. Both the weight of the container and its contents are manageable for one person to safely and
comfortably handle, carry and use. |
| Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (HAACP) |
The Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) regulation is used to
eliminate hazards in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, food and beverage, seafood and
dairy processing facilities. Used to secure the safety of food products during production,
processing, packaging, storage and transport. Selected reusable plastic packaging and pallets are
designed to comply with HACCP requirements and offer optimum hygiene, due to controlled raw
materials, controlled production and easy cleaning. |
| Hot stamp |
Heat transferred, permanent identification stamp for plastic containers and
pallets. Can be customized according to the user's specifications. Allows for easy visual inventory
management and facilitates delivery to appropriate destination, as well as return to the
appropriate source. |
| Injection-Molding |
Plastic is injected, under pressure, into a closed cavity mold. The material is
cooled to ensure that it maintains the exact shape of the mold. This process produces a solid wall,
solid core part. |
| Inside Dimensions |
The inside length, width and height dimensions of a given package. |
| Internal Cube |
The useful area inside a container, determined by width x depth x height. |
| ISO Certification |
The designation a manufacturing company receives when they meet the ISO
(International Standards Organization) requirements in their industry. It ensures that high-quality
products will be provided, on a consistent and accurate basis. Requires periodic formal audits and
renewal. |
| Just-In-Time |
Just-In-Time production system operates on the premise that product will be
delivered, "just in time" for assembly or finishing. Frequent deliveries of small quantities on
time. It seeks to consolidate the number of suppliers and reduce the distance between supplier and
final destination. |
| Kaizen |
The philosophy of continual improvement. Kaizen supports the idea that there is
always room for improvement even if substantial improvement has just occurred. |
| Kanban |
When a card or sheet or other tool is used to authorize production or movement
of an item. |
| Knockdown (KD) Collapsible Container |
See Collapsible Container. |
| Lean Manufacturing Philosophy |
An English termed coined to describe the Japanese manufacturing philosophy of
continually reducing waste throughout the workflow in order to increase productivity and
profitability. Emphasizes total system efficiency, continuous improvement, value added activity and
respect for people. |
| Lean Packaging |
The role of reusable packaging in a lean environment. It is a strong catalyst
towards practicing lean principles in an operation |
| Life Cycle |
A sequence of stages spanning the lifetime of a product, process, service,
facility, or enterprise, from inception to final use and disposition. Could include extraction,
acquisition, manufacturing, reuse and disposal.) |
| Life Cycle Costs |
Financial impacts associated with life cycle stages of a material, product,
process, service, facility or enterprise. |
| Load Capacity: Dynamic |
The number of pounds a pallet will efficiently and safely hold in a dynamic
application. |
| Load Capacity: Static |
The number of pounds a pallet will efficiently and safely hold in a static
application. |
| Logistics |
Activities to move incoming materials and distribute finished products to the
proper place, at the desired time and in the optimal quantities. |
| Materials Handling |
Process of developing and implementing manual, mechanized and automated systems
to move product and materials throughout a facility or supply chain. |
| Materials Management |
The collaborative management functions that support the complete cycle of
material flow. Begins with the design and purchase of the product/material and continues with the
work-in-process, warehousing, shipping and distribution activities required to output it in is
finished state. |
| Modularity |
Constructed with standardized units or dimensions, for maximum
flexibility. |
| Modularity |
A subset of a footprint. In a palletized load, those smaller containers, which
when fitted together, form a unit load. |
| Nest Ratio |
The ability of a container or pallet to nest inside one another, when empty.
Reduces return transportation costs and improves storage space utilization. Indicated in a ratio
(i.e. 3:1) |
| Nestable, with Bail |
Drafted container with metal or plastic "bail". When the bail is engaged,
containers can stack atop each other. The bail is open, they nest in each other. |
| Nest-Only, with Attached Lid |
Drafted containers that fit inside each other when empty, or on top of each
with an attached or detached lid. When nested, they partially fit inside one another without
damaging or distorting either one. Offers a nest ratio. |
| OEM |
Original equipment manufacturer |
| Optimization |
See Supply Chain Optimization. |
| Outsourcing |
External contracting of services. Can include transportation, logistics,
container management or manufacturing. |
| Pallet |
Flat, durable, portable platform used to support, transport and store all types
of different containers and product. Reusable plastic pallets are lightweight, reusable and
recyclable and are available in a wide variety of footprints. Nestable pallets are generally used
in distribution applications, because of their favorable nest ratio for reduced return
transportation costs and better storage. Rackable pallets are used in static rack storage and
work-in-process applications, because of their high load capacity and rackability. Stackable
pallets are used in general work-in-process and static storage. Allows pallet loads to be stacked
atop another pallet load. Commonly referred to as a skid. |
| Polyethylene (PE) |
Polyethylene (PE) is one of the most widely used plastic materials and offers
excellent chemical resistance, easy of manufacturability, strength, toughness and durability. PE is
suited for typical manufacturing environments as the material remains stable at temperatures
encountered in cold winters (below 0 degrees) and hot summers (just over 120 degrees F). At
temperatures exceeding 120 degrees F, the material becomes rubbery, thereby reducing the strength
properties. |
| Polypropylene (PP) |
Polypropylene (PP) is in the same family as polyethylene (PE). This plastic
materials offers excellent chemical resistance and ease of manufacturability that remain similar to
PE. PP's advantages over PE includes its great stiffness and elevated use temperature. Depending on
the application, PP materials can retain strength at temperatures up to 150 degrees F. |
| Pull System |
A production system in which items are manufactured based on actual real-time
needs from downstream operations (final assembly or equivalent) |
| Push System |
A production system in which items are manufactured based on theoretical or
forecasted needs of downstream operations. |
| Push-Pull Device |
An attachment added to a standard forklift that allows product loads on slip
sheets to be pulled onto its solid plate, for easy transport and movement around a warehouse or
distribution center. For more information, visit www.cascorp.com. |
| Push-Pull Point |
The point on the supply chain where the switch from "push" to "pull" is
evident. |
| Q1 Certification |
Designated by Ford Motor Company as having high levels of quality in products
and services that deliver sustained continuous improvement to Ford and its suppliers. |
| Rackable Pallet |
Rackable pallets are designed for static storage in racking systems. They can
offer unsupported rack capacities up to 3,000 lbs. |
| Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) |
Systems that read or write data to RF tags that are present in a radio
frequency field projected from RF reading/writing equipment. Data may be contained in one (1 ) or
more bits for the purpose of providing identification and other information relevant to the object
to which the tag is attached. |
| Returnable Packaging |
See Reusable Packaging. |
| Returnable plastic container (RPC) |
See Container. |
| Reusable Packaging |
Containers, pallets and protective interior dunnage that are designed for
reusability and/or returnability in a given application. Plastic packaging offers durable,
lightweight properties, and fully recyclable at the end of its useful life. |
| ROI |
Return on investment. Reusable packaging has an ROI of 6 - 18 months, depending
on application. |
| Rotation-Molding |
Powdered plastic resin is placed into a mold. The product is formed as the
resin fuses from the centrifugal force on the heated mold while spinning at a very high rate of
speed. |
| Seat Belt System |
Used for efficient, stable stacking and transport of full pallet loads. The
seat belt retractor is placed on the pallet and the buckle is placed on the top cap. Can be placed
on 2 or 4 sides and eliminates the need for stretch wrapping or banding. |
| Security Holes |
Openings located on both the container and the lid for plastic ties, which
secure the internal contents of the container from theft and damage. |
| Self-Guided Vehicles (SGVs) |
Self-guided automated vehicles that bring materials from the loading docks to
assembly lines, with the use of on-board intelligence. Enables improved material tracking because
the intelligence is located at the vehicle. |
| Six-Sigma |
At many organizations it is a measure of quality that strives for near
perfection. Six Sigma is a disciplined, data-driven approach and methodology for eliminating
defects (driving towards six standard deviations between the mean and the nearest specification
limit) in any process -- from manufacturing to transactional and from product to service. |
| Slip Sheet |
A flat plastic sheet, available in varying thicknesses, placed beneath a load
of product to easily move loads in a warehousing or distribution application. Used primarily in
systems that utilize forkifts equipped with a push/pull device. Slip Sheets have one to four tabs
that run the length of the sheet. These tabs bend to create easy-to-grasp edges that are "pulled"
by the push/pull device. Can be used with or without a pallet, and performance characteristics will
vary by application. |
| Stackbase |
In an retail environment, 4x4 display base that is used in other free-standing
environments. |
| Stackbase End Unit |
In an retail environment, the end cap unit that is used at the floor
level. |
| Stack-N-Nest |
Containers that stack when full or with a cover, and nest when empty. Or, when
rotated 180 degrees to each other, these containers can be stack on top of another. When not
rotated, they nest inside each other. |
| Static Dissipative Material |
ORBIS' LS material is a polypropylene material that is on the upper end of the
dissipative range. Surface resistance of great than or equal to 1.0 x 10 8 ohms but less than 1.0 x
10 11 or a surface resistivity greater than or equal to 1.0 x 10 9 ohms/square but less than 1.0 x
10 12 ohms/square. Electrical properties are affected by humidity and material has a shelf life of
5 years. |
| Storage |
Refers to the holding of product at a specific location, for anticipated use in
production. |
| Straight-Wall, Stack-Only or Stackable |
Straight-wall containers that can be placed on top of each other. The bottom of
the first container rests on the top, outer rim of the second container. Containers fits securely
with another without damaging or distorting the containers or contents. |
| Structural Foam-Molding |
Plastic and nitrogen gas are injected into a closed cavity mold. The part is
cooled to create the exact shape of the mold. The combined use of these materials create a cellular
core that forms a solid skin. |
| Supply Chain |
A well-defined network of shipping and delivery points within a certain
industry, from raw material manufacturer to the consumer. Consists of various loops between
different points on the chain. Also referred to as the value chain. The supply chain is typically
comprised of multiple collaborating companies that design, produce, deliver and service the goods.
Recognizes all activities associated with the flow and transformation of goods, from raw material
to end-user. |
| Supply Chain Management |
The science of integrating the flow of goods and information from initial
sourcing all the way through to delivery to the end user. Key activities within this end-to-end
process include purchasing, production planning, order processing and fulfillment, inventory
management, transportation, distribution, and customer service. |
| Supply Chain Optimization |
The aggressive and continuous process of seeking optimal resource allocation
and operational practices to result in supply chain efficiency. Usually results in reduced costs
over time, due to reduced labor costs, less waste and streamlined operations. |
| Thermoforming: Single Sheet |
A sheet of plastic is heated, then drawn by vacuum over a mold. The vacuum is
used to create definition to the final part. |
| Thermoforming: Twin Sheet |
Two sheets of plastic are heated, then drawn by vacuum over a separate molds,
then fused together through pressure to form a structural double walled part. |
| Third-Party Logistics provider (3PL) |
A outsourced service provider of production, transportation and warehousing
functions of a business. Companies that outsource these competencies enter alliances with core
service providers. These services range in usage, including inbound transportation, container
management or inventory management. This provider negotiates pricing and service, based on
guaranteed volume. |
| Top Cap |
Top Caps are placed on top on a palletized container load to permit stacking of
one pallet load of containers on top of another. It allows loads to be securely stacked and offers
uniform distribution of weight to prevent contamination and product damage. |
| Top Frame |
Top Frames have a similar function to Top Caps, but are designed as an open
frame. This frame is placed on top on a palletized container load to permit stacking of one pallet
load of containers on top of another. It is a unit stabilizer that offers uniform distribution of
weight to prevent contamination and product damage. Usually used in the beverage and food
industry. |
| Tote |
See Container. |
| UL-Listed/Classified |
A product approved by Underwriters Laboratory. |
| Value-Added |
Perceived or estimated value that is added to a product or material at each
stage of its manufacture or distribution. |
| Velocity |
The speed at which product travels through a supply chain. |
| Waste |
Anything that consumes resources but does not add value to a product. According
to Shigeo Shingo, there are seven types of waste: excess or early production, delays,
movement/transport, poor process design, inventory/work in process, defective items and
inefficiency of a process. |
| Work-in-process (WIP) |
Refers to the storage, transportation and processing of items within a single
operation. In this application, reusable packaging can be used to process its contents, including
assembly or picking. |
| Property of ORBIS Corporation 2006 |
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