Glossary of industrial machine terms

6

600 V three-phase

A three-phase supply, often configured as 347/600 V, found in many Canadian industrial buildings alongside 120/208 V systems. Machines built for 380 or 400 V markets need a factory voltage option or a step-down transformer before they are connected. Read more

A

Advance ruling

A written decision from the Canada Border Services Agency on the tariff classification, origin or valuation of goods, requested before they are imported. It gives the importer certainty on how a machine will be treated at the border. Read more

Air bending

The most common press brake method: the punch pushes the sheet into the V-die without forcing it to the die's own angle, so the bend angle is set by how deep the punch travels. One set of tools can form several angles, and it needs less force than bottoming or coining. Read more

Assist gas

Gas blown through the cutting nozzle with the laser beam to clear molten metal out of the kerf. Oxygen reacts with steel and adds heat, nitrogen or argon stay inert and leave oxide-free edges, and compressed air is a lower-cost option for thin steel with a slightly greyer edge. Read more

Automatic tool changer (ATC)

A tool magazine that lets a CNC router or machining centre swap cutters without the operator. Capacity is given in positions, for example the 8-position ISO 30 changer on the Laguna SmartShop 2 Pro. Read more

B

Backgauge

The CNC stop system behind the bend line of a press brake, or the cut line of a shear, that positions the sheet for each operation. Common axes are X (front to back) and R (up and down); more advanced gauges add side-to-side movement of the fingers. Read more

Bag-on-roll

Bags sealed and perforated in a continuous strip and wound onto rolls, with or without a core, as is common for garbage bags. Machines such as the Chovyting CW-1000PR+C2 change rolls automatically. Read more

Barrier film

Multilayer film that includes a layer such as EVOH to slow the passage of oxygen and aromas and extend shelf life. Windmöller & Hölscher describes 11-layer barrier films with an EVOH layer of 1 µm on its VAREX II line. Read more

Beam saw

A panel saw in which the panel or stack lies on the table, is clamped under a pressure beam, and is cut by a saw carriage travelling along the cut line. It suits volume cutting of particleboard, MDF, plywood and similar sheet goods. Read more

Bevel cutting

Cutting an edge at an angle other than 90° to prepare it for welding. Plate cutters such as the Kinetic K2500 offer plasma and oxy-fuel bevel heads, and some tube lasers bevel up to 45°. Read more

Blade gap

The clearance between the upper and lower blades of a shear, set to suit the material and its thickness. A wrong gap causes burrs, poor edges and faster blade wear, which is why some CNC shears set it automatically. Read more

Blow-up ratio (BUR)

In blown film, the diameter of the inflated bubble divided by the die diameter, often worked out as 0.637 x layflat width divided by die diameter. A BUR above 1 stretches and thins the film across its width, so it is read together with the drawdown ratio and die gap. Read more

Bottom seal bag

A bag made by sealing across a flattened tube of film, so the only seal is at the bottom. Garbage, produce and industrial bags are typical examples. Read more

Bottoming

A press brake method in which the sheet is pressed fully into the V-die so it takes the die's angle. It needs more tonnage than air bending but gives accurate angles with less springback.

Bundle loader

An automatic loading unit on a tube laser that holds a bundle of raw tube and feeds lengths to the machine one at a time, which shortens set-up and handling. Read more

Business number (BN)

The nine-digit number issued by the Canada Revenue Agency. An importer needs one before it can open the import-export (RM) program account used for customs accounting. Read more

C

Co-extrusion

Feeding two or more extruders into one die to make multilayer film in a single pass. An ABA line uses two extruders to build three layers, while lines such as the Rajoo Heptafoil make seven. Read more

Commissioning

Bringing an installed machine into production: checking functions, safety devices and interlocks, setting parameters and running first parts on the customer's own material. Read more

Corner rounding

An edge bander unit that profiles the front and back corners of a panel so the edge band runs round the corner. Felder lists it for edges from 0.4 to 3 mm on its G 303 series. Read more

Country of origin

Where goods are considered to have been made for customs purposes. Together with the tariff classification it sets the duty rate, and a preferential rate under a trade agreement needs proof of origin at the time of import. Read more

Crowning

A system in the bed of a press brake that counteracts the natural deflection of the bed and ram under load, so the bend angle stays the same along the whole length. It is often built as wedges that the CNC adjusts by motor. Read more

CSA field evaluation

Also called a special inspection: an assessment of uncertified electrical equipment against the CSA SPE-1000 model code by an inspection body accredited by the Standards Council of Canada. Equipment that passes is labelled on the spot, and the route suits one-off and low-volume machines. Read more

Customs broker

A company licensed to handle customs formalities for importers, such as accounting for goods and paying duties and taxes on their behalf. Using one is the importer's choice. Read more

D

Double-wall cup

A paper cup with a second paper wall fitted around the formed cup for insulation, also made in a corrugated (ripple) version for hot drinks. A sleeve machine such as the Mingguo MG-HC800 adds the outer wall. Read more

E

Edge banding

Gluing a thin strip of ABS, PVC, veneer or similar material to the exposed edges of a panel, then trimming and finishing it flush. An edge bander does this in one pass. Read more

Electric press brake

A press brake whose ram is driven by servo motors instead of hydraulic cylinders, for example through belts and pulleys on the SafanDarley E-Brake. There is no hydraulic oil, and energy is drawn mainly while the beam moves. Read more

Enclosed laser

A laser cutting machine built inside a protective housing with beam guards, so laser light stays inside the cabin during cutting. Open-bed machines need other safeguards around the work area. Read more

EVA hot melt

The standard edge banding adhesive, which melts in the glue pot and bonds as it cools. It is easy to clean from pots and rollers but resists heat and moisture only moderately. Read more

Exchange table

A pair of cutting tables that swap positions, so one sheet is loaded or unloaded while another is cut. Also called a shuttle table or pallet changer. Read more

F

Fiber laser

A solid-state laser whose beam is generated in an optical fibre and carried by cable to the cutting or welding head. Read more

Flame cutting (laser)

Laser cutting with oxygen as the assist gas. The oxygen reacts with the steel and adds heat, which allows high speeds in thick mild steel but leaves oxide on the cut edge. Read more

Form-cut-stack

A thermoforming process in which one roll-fed machine forms the parts, trims them and stacks them. It is common for deli and takeout containers, lids and trays. Read more

Frost line

The height above a blown film die where the molten tube solidifies. Most of the film's properties, such as orientation, clarity and strength, are fixed below this line. Read more

Fusion cutting

Laser cutting with nitrogen or argon, which blow the melt out of the kerf without reacting with it. The edges stay free of burrs and oxides, which suits stainless steel and aluminum. Read more

G

gsm (grammage)

Grams per square metre: the mass per unit area of paper or board, measured under ISO 536. Converting machines state the range they run, for example 80 to 140 gsm on smaller Oyang square-bottom bag machines. Read more

Guillotine shear

A shear whose upper blade moves straight down, usually with an adjustable rake angle: low for thin sheet, higher for thicker plate. Read more

H

Handheld laser welder

A fiber laser delivered by cable to a hand-held welding gun. It welds with low heat input and little distortion, and many units also clean metal before and after welding. Read more

Heat-affected zone (HAZ)

The band of base metal next to a weld or thermal cut whose structure has been changed by heat without melting. Processes with lower heat input leave a narrower zone. Read more

HS code

The six-digit Harmonized System code maintained by the World Customs Organization and used by member countries to classify goods. Canada adds four digits to make the 10-digit tariff classification number used on import declarations. Read more

I

In-mould trim

Thermoforming in which parts are formed and punched out of the sheet in the same station, as on tilting-platen cup and lid machines. It gives precise, concentric trims. Read more

Incoterms

Rules published by the International Chamber of Commerce for delivery terms in sales contracts. The 2020 edition has 11 rules, such as EXW, FOB, CIF, DAP and DDP, that set who pays for and carries the risk of each stage of transport; they do not set the price, payment terms or transfer of title. Read more

K

Kerf

The width of material removed by a cut. On a laser it is only slightly wider than the focused beam, while plasma and saw kerfs are wider; programming software offsets the tool path to allow for it. Read more

L

Layflat width

The width of a blown film tube once it has been collapsed and flattened. It sets the film or bag width and, together with the die diameter, gives the blow-up ratio. Read more

M

MDO (machine direction orientation)

A unit in a blown film line that stretches the film in its running direction. Windmöller & Hölscher lists higher strength and stiffness, better shrink properties, and more gloss and clarity as the results. Read more

N

Nesting

Arranging parts on a sheet in software so they use as much of it as possible. In woodworking it also means cutting all the parts of a cabinet from full sheets on a CNC router with a vacuum table. Read more

Non-woven fabric

A textile made by bonding fibres together instead of weaving or knitting them. Bag machines state the fabric weight they run, for example 30 to 120 g/m² on the Zhengxin ZXL-B700. Read more

O

Oxy-fuel cutting

Thermal cutting in which a fuel gas flame preheats carbon steel and a jet of oxygen burns through it. It is used for thick plate, up to 203 mm (8 in) on the Kinetic K2500. Read more

P

PE coating

A thin polyethylene layer bonded to paperboard so it holds liquids and can be heat sealed. Hot-drink cups usually have PE on the inside only (single PE), while cold-drink cups use PE on both sides (double PE) to resist condensation. Read more

Piercing

Making the start hole through the material before a cut begins. Plasma systems state a production pierce capacity, for example 32 mm (1.26 in) in mild steel for the Hypertherm XPR300. Read more

Plasma cutting

Cutting electrically conductive metal with a constricted arc of ionised gas. The torch electrode, nozzle and shield are consumables that wear and are replaced on a schedule. Read more

Plug assist

A shaped plug that pushes the heated sheet into a thermoforming cavity so the material is spread more evenly, mainly for deeper parts. Read more

Pre-start health and safety review (PSR)

An Ontario requirement under section 7 of Regulation 851: before certain equipment, including some machine safeguarding arrangements, is used in a factory, a review, usually by an engineer, checks that the hazards are controlled. Read more

Premilling

Cutters at the entry of an edge bander that remove a thin layer from the panel edge before gluing, leaving a clean, square surface for the edge band. Read more

PUR hot melt

A polyurethane edge banding adhesive that cures through a reaction with moisture. It gives a thinner glue line and resists heat, water and solvents better than EVA, but pots and rollers take more cleaning. Read more

R

Rake angle

The angle between the upper and lower blades of a shear. A low rake limits twist and distortion on thin sheet and narrow strips, while a higher rake reduces the force needed on thicker plate. Read more

Rigging

Moving a heavy machine from the truck to its final position with cranes, forklifts, skates or jacks, including planning the route through doors and across floors. Read more

Roll-fed

A converting machine that unwinds paper, film or plastic sheet from a reel and makes the product in one continuous line. Sheet-fed machines work from pre-cut, often pre-printed sheets, as the Zenbo ZB 1200CS-430 does for heavy printed bags. Read more

S

Scoring blade

A small blade that pre-cuts the underside of a panel just ahead of the main saw blade so laminated or veneered faces do not chip. Read more

Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations

Federal rules that prohibit the manufacture, import and sale in Canada of certain single-use plastic checkout bags, cutlery, some foodservice ware, ring carriers, stir sticks and straws, with limited exceptions. Status as of 2026; check Environment and Climate Change Canada for current requirements. Read more

SOS bag

A self-opening square-bottom paper bag, made from a roll, that stands open on a flat base when filled. It is the typical handle-less grocery and take-out bag. Read more

Spiral winding (paper straws)

Winding several glued paper strips at an angle around a mandrel to form a continuous tube, which a cutter then divides into straws. The Gaoda GDM-30 winds 3 to 4 layers. Read more

Spoilboard

A sacrificial board on a CNC router's vacuum table. The tool cuts slightly into it when parts are cut through, and the vacuum holds the sheet through it. Read more

Springback

The elastic recovery of metal after bending, which opens the angle slightly once the force is released. Press brake controls compensate by bending a little further. Read more

Square-bottom bag

A paper bag with a flat rectangular base, usually fitted with twisted or flat paper handles, used for retail and take-out. Read more

Steel rule die

A trim tool made of a thin, sharpened steel strip that strikes against a hardened plate to cut parts from the web. It is typical of form-cut-stack thermoforming and leaves small nicks that hold parts in the web until stacking. Read more

Swing beam shear

A shear whose upper blade moves in an arc on a pivoting beam. The rake angle is low and fixed, and the blade gap is set quickly with an eccentric. Read more

T

T-shirt bag

A plastic carrier bag whose handles are punched out of the top of the bag, so it looks like a vest. Machines such as the Hemingstone HM-1200V4A seal and punch several lanes at once. Read more

Thermoforming

Heating a plastic sheet until it is pliable, forming it against a mould with vacuum, air pressure or a plug, and trimming the parts out. Roll-fed machines make cups, lids, trays and containers. Read more

TIG and MIG welding

Two arc welding processes. TIG uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode with filler added separately, while MIG feeds a consumable wire electrode through the gun under shielding gas. Read more

Tonnage

The maximum force a press brake can apply. The force a job needs depends on material strength, thickness, bend length and V-die opening. Read more

Torch height control (THC)

A system that keeps a plasma torch at the right distance from the plate, usually by reading arc voltage, as the plate warps or sits unevenly. Read more

Two-piece cup

A paper cup made from a wrapped sidewall and a separate bottom disc. Formers such as the PMC 1003 make two-piece cups and containers at up to 330 per minute. Read more

U

Ultrasonic sealing

Joining thermoplastic materials with high-frequency vibration that melts them locally, without glue or thread. Non-woven bag lines such as the Zhengxin ZXL-B700 use it. Read more

V

V-bottom bag

A light, flat paper bag with a folded bottom, used for bakery, snacks and take-out. Two-lane machines such as the Oyang 16-C 510 run paper from 30 to 60 gsm. Read more

V-die opening

The width of the V in a lower press brake die. A wider opening lowers the force needed and produces a larger inside bend radius. Read more

Vacuum table

The work table of a CNC router that holds sheets down with suction. It is split into zones so only the area under the sheet is active, such as the 6-zone table on the Laguna SmartShop 2 Pro. Read more

W

Water-quenched PP film

Polypropylene blown film cooled with water rather than air as it leaves the die. Chyi Yang states the water cooling gives glossier, more transparent film for food and garment packaging. Read more

Wobble welding

A laser welding mode in which the beam oscillates in a small pattern to widen the seam and bridge poor fit-up. IPG quotes up to 5 mm (0.2 in) for its LightWELD range. Read more

Z

Zero joint

An edge banding method in which a functional layer on the edge band is melted by hot air or laser instead of applying glue from a pot, so no glue line shows. HOMAG sells its hot-air version as airTec. Read more