Material Handling Glossary | F

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FIFO (First-in/First-out)

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.

FILO (First-in/Last-out)

First-in/last-out storage system where inventory first stored is last removed. Generally other than single deep, that allows minimal selectivity.

Floor Guidance System

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.

Floor Space Utilization

Cubic density of storage obtained using least amount of actual square footage.

Floor Stacking

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.

Flow Rack

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).

Forklift

A powered industrial truck that is used in many industries, primarily to move materials. Also called a lift truck, a forklift can use a gasoline-powered engine, diesel engine or electric motor with power supplied by a rechargeable industrial battery.

Forklift Classification

Forklift equipment is classified into seven categories based on applications, fuel options and features.

Class I:

Electric Motor Rider Trucks. Electric-powered, sit-down or stand-up rider forklifts.

Class II:

Electric Motor Narrow Aisle Trucks (Reach Trucks, Order Pickers). Designed for navigating narrow aisles and order picking tasks.

Class III:

Electric Motor Hand Trucks and Riders. Small, often used for pallet handling and moving materials.

Class IV:

Internal Combustion Engine Trucks. Typically used indoors with cushion tires for smooth operation on hard surfaces.

Class V:

Internal Combustion Engine Trucks. Used outdoors and on uneven surfaces with pneumatic tires for greater traction.

Class VI:

Electric and Internal Combustion Engine Tow Tractors. Primarily used for pulling or towing loads.

Class VII:

Rough Terrain Forklifts. Equipped with pneumatic tires and designed for operation on uneven terrain.

Four Directional (4D)

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.