Glossary

Refers to the application of the 5S lean manufacturing methodology—Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain—to organize tools, inventory, and materials. It eliminates waste and maximizes efficiency by ensuring everything has a specific, clearly labeled location.

A system designed to create a "buffer" between machines, allowing products to collect without stopping the entire production line during minor downtimes or speed differences.

A device used for backup control that monitors product density and manages flow to prevent jams.

A rotating disc system used to collect or distribute products, featuring customizable sizes and materials for specific application compatibility.

Allen-Bradley is the brand-name of a line of factory automation equipment owned by Rockwell Automation.

The application of technology, programs, robotics or processes to achieve outcomes with minimal human input

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A service where APEX builds electrical panels according to a customer's pre-existing schematics and Bill of Materials (BOM).

The use of industrial cameras, sensors, and specialized software to provide automated, high-speed, and high-precision visual inspection, guidance, and identification on production lines

A dedicated part designed to fit a single container size that can be repeatably installed without the need for operator adjustments.

A robot, such as the FANUC CRX, designed to work safely alongside human operators with an easy interface and increased safety capabilities.

A conveyor system utilizing a side-flexible plastic belt that allows for navigation around obstacles with turns as tight as a 6” radius.

Pre-configured, automated programming steps that guide the temperature and humidity levels through a full curing or growing cycle. Recipes can be easily copied or edited as needed.

A system using a series of target air streams to remove water vapor left from condensation or cleaning processes.

An automated component that removes fallen or defective units from the production line based on mechanical components, sensor detection, or camera inspection.

Stands for End-of-Arm Tooling (also known as an end effector). It is the specialized device attached to the wrist of a robotic arm that allows the robot to interact with its environment and perform specific tasks.

A device using a spiral engraved channel along a spinning cylindrical shape to control container spacing and speed along a linear pathway.

A product flow requirement where the first item to enter the accumulation zone is the first item to exit.

A design feature where the conveyor belt is level with the side frames, eliminating the need for "deadplates" (stationary bridge plates) at transfer points.

A safety device used with machine access doors to detect operator interventions and automatically stop the equipment.

A screen or dashboard that allows operators to interact with and control the machinery.

The process of connecting separate machines, software systems, and production processes into a single, cohesive, and automated operational unit

Bearings housed inside the conveyor structure to allow for maximum positioning capabilities and a cleaner footprint.

IR flame detectors monitor hazardous areas for the invisible or visible radiation that fires emit outside the normal visible light spectrum. Operating using specialized optical sensors or multi-spectrum models analyze infrared wavelengths to identify active combustion while filtering out false alarms from sunlight or artificial lights.

A safety device used at machine openings to visually detect operator interventions and automatically stop the equipment.

A system design that utilizes plug and play hardware devices to easily replace old components or add new capabilities. Entire control modules can even be added without impacting the existing setup to grow with your farm.

A standardized frame design that allows for easy customization of lengths and configurations to fit specific manufacturing spaces.

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Equipment status tracking based on component progress to determine process efficiency and bottlenecks.

The "brain" of an automated system that controls machinery in real-time.

Using vibration and current monitoring to catch hardware wear early and prevent equipment breakdowns.

Automated valve and water flow management used to precisely reintroduce moisture to crops at specific cycle stages.

Monitoring and adjusting moisture levels in the air to ensure optimal curing and storage conditions.

Physical, safety-locked enclosures that separate operators from critical processing zones. These setups—such as Restricted Access Barrier Systems (RABS) and isolators—use transparent panels and glove ports to prevent product contamination and protect workers from potent drugs and other hazards.

A software layer that collects data and provides high-level visualizations for facility management.

A device, often using feedscrews or starwheels, used to separate products from mass accumulation into a single-file line for processing.

A uniform packing arrangement consisting of organized rows, columns, or a staggered matrix. This creates the best packing configuration for space density and automated manipulation.

Stainless steel is an iron and chromium alloy. While stainless must contain at least 10.5% chromium, the exact components and ratios will vary based on the grade requested and the intended use of the steel.

Common grades we use are 304 and 316:

304 Stainless Steel: Best for indoor or non-corrosive outdoor environments. Widely used in kitchen appliances, food processing equipment, brewery and wine making gear, and architectural trim.

316 Stainless Steel: Best for environments with high exposure to salt, chemicals, or acids. Used in marine hardware, coastal railings, pharmaceutical equipment, chemical processing tanks, and medical devices.

A device using engraved pockets along a spinning disk shape to control container spacing and speed along a circular pathway.

A conveyor designed for linear transport featuring a modular frame and flush-to-frame belts to ensure smooth product transitions.

A high-speed tray loading model capable of handling up to 1000 units per minute (upm) in a "Random" or "Bulk" pack configuration.

Rotational components monitored to prevent safety issues by tracking real-time operational torque against historical limits.

A small rotary disk used to move containers across a gap between equipment, to change directions within a small footprint, or move between rooms of different cleanroom grades.

A pre-counting process that prepares trays for loading to minimize downtime between cycles and maximize throughput.

A robotic tray loading model capable of up to 700 units per minute (upm) that utilizes "Soldier" pack configurations (uniform rows/columns).

A safety certification for Industrial Control Panels for General Use, ensuring the panel meets specific design and component requirements.

The documented process of collecting evidence to prove that a specific process or equipment consistently produces products meeting pre-defined quality, safety, and performance specifications (FDA, GMP, etc.)

A controller used to vary the speed of AC motors.

Utilizes special sensors mounted to essential motion components that track long-term performance and show expected failure.